Can an R-21EC handle the Columbia River bay?

E

EdS

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Joined
Aug 15, 2014
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Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
I'm contemplating getting an R-21EC but I'm uncertain as to whether it could successfully handle the Columbia River current especially combined with an ebb tide in the Columbia River bay.

The boat, I'm sure, could handle most usual sea conditions there as I've seen people in a canoe at Buoy 10 (the most upriver end of the north and south jetties at the mouth) but I have a hard time imagining that its 30 hp engine could make headway against the current and ebb tides.

Fishing for salmon at Buoy 10 is a circus at this time of the year and it would be interesting to join in next year and while I understand that a flood tide provides the best fishing I also understand that flood tides become ebb tides creating dangerous conditions for underpowered boats.

Do you think an R-21EC could handle Buoy 10 current/ebb tide conditions? If not, do you think it could handle conditions upriver at the Astoria bridge, out of the main channel?

Thanks.
Ed
 
Hmm, I've flown a '70s vintage Cessna 150 but never under those conditions. I've also navigated across the Columbia River bar, "the most dangerous waters in the world" it is said by some, but in a bigger, more powerful boat than an R-21EC.

But I didn't ask about whether an R-21EC could handle bar-crossing conditions, I asked whether it could handle bay conditions.
Ed
 
What timing for this question!
I am at Ilwaco today, fished Buoy10 yesterday, crossed the bar today and fished outside with a bit less competition for the fishes attention.
The 21 is small and slow, also agile and stable (as long as your not beam to the waves).
Didn't seem underpowered to me...
Drifted back into the bar yesterday during a strong exchange; that was an exciting ride!
Lots of 4-6 footers but I am positive a set of 10s made for some fun surfing, decided we had enough that far out and came back in to milder waters, slow but not a problem.

This boat rocks!!
 
Well, Fat Buoy, that definitely is helpful info, to have somebody actually achieve what I was wondering if it was achievable.

Actually, I'm in awe that you accomplished that.

Thanks.
Ed
 
I've been across the Columbia River Bar in many different boats and in ALL sorts of different conditions. My first choice would not be my 21. Do I think it would be completely unsafe, no. Would I buy a 21 thinking I was going to do buoy 10 fishing often, no.
 
David, again, good input.

I see both your viewpoint and Fat Buoy's actual experience.

You can cross the Columbia River bar safely in an R-21EC, Fat Buoys done it, but you'd probably only want to do it under the best of conditions which is what you're saying.

I previously said I had crossed the bar in a bigger, more powerful boat than an R-21EC but then I remembered that I'd also crossed it in a smaller, more open boat with an engine about equal in power to the R-21EC. I was very young then and wouldn't think of doing it now in that inappropriate kind of boat.

I'm concluding, with the very helpful input from the two of you, that an R-21EC can be safely navigated in the bay at the mouth of the Columbia River but it's best to stick to the upriver, out-of-the-channel, portion of it.

Thanks to you both. If anybody else has thoughts on this matter I'd appreciate hearing them.
Ed
 
David is right. I know too many people that have had a bad experience with the Columbia bar and will never go out over it again. I would consider finding a guide you get on with and having checked out their safety gear and past experience on the Columbia use them to cross the bar. I know it is not the same as fishing on your own boat but you will catch more fish and not as likely to get in trouble. If you want an easier bar, go down to Newport. That bar is a breeze compared to the Columbia. If you want, I can take you out of Newport on an R25 so you can see what is like. Send me a PM.
 
I have had my R-25 across the bar a couple of times in 2012.
It handled the bar OK. I had my son on board who has 7+ years working experience on the bar.
My advice to you is to take someone on your boat with local knowledge of the bar until you get comfortable and knowledgeable out there.
 
Back in Ilwaco this weekend. Great time fishing.
Crossed the bar this morning on a low tide, felt different than last weekends crossing, probably just
a different day. The bar report called for 5-7 footers and light wind (thankfully).
Was pretty lumpy however manageable, took 2 hours to get to where I wanted to fish,
then it was game on. 2 hours later and we were just pulling in the 6 fish and were limited.

I know I keep saying it but this boat rocks (and rolls some times), today's bar was a
bit concerning however the boat was stable and instilled confidence.
 
We were crabbing in Nehalem Bay today on our Ranger 18. This morning we crossed the bar about 9:30 and you could not tell where the river ended and the ocean began. My son and wife traded places as pot puller and Ricki and I headed down towards the ocean. There were 4 to 6 footers on a bar that really deserves no mention. This change was only within four or five hours and there was really no other change in the weather.

Columbia River Bar crossing can have a lot of personal perspective involved. Ricki and I were talking about bar crossing today on the way home from the coast. I asked if she had ever crossed the Columbia River Bar. She said a couple times. Then she mentioned the time she was laying face down on the mattress praying we made it and my dad's buddies had their poles in the water. I don't even remember it.

I stand behind my statement that I would not buy a 21 for regular Columbia River Bar crossings.
 
I have an R25 located on the Columbia river down by the Willamette and earlier down by Camas. The tides and eddies on the Columbia are very strong and can push the 25 around fairly strongly. I really wish I had a 29 but the 25 handles it well enough. I can't really see the 21 being able to take the large boat traffic and associated wakes, as well as the current well. It would be a real stretch for my mind anyway. And I have fished at buoy 10 in some pretty choppy water that Had me wishing I was on a boat larger than the 22 footer we were on too.
Mike
 
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