Columbia River Cruising Guide

J

joempo

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 11, 2012
Messages
181
Fluid Motion Model
C-248 C
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2515K607
Vessel Name
SLO Ranger
MMSI Number
338143106
Robyn and I are considering trailering the SLO Ranger down to the Columbia River and spending some time checking the sights this winter. I've made several attempts at searching the 'net for a guide, such as Waggoner's or the Burgee Book to no avail. Do any of you who reside in the Portland OR/Vancouver,WA area know of such a resource? I've been looking at the NOAA charts, but I want something that provides information on marinas, etc.
 
One resource, electronically, is http://www.activecaptain.com It is free, shows marinas, the locks and dams, anchorages, hazards and more. Whether you find a paper guide or not Active Captain would be a great resource for when you explore places new, or for that matter exploring unfamiliar places in our own back yards. Check it out.

Jim
 
We spent the Summer cruising the Columbia - Portland to Astoria, Portland to Cascade Locks and many hours around Government Island, downtown Portland, St. Helens, etc. If I were choosing the scenery in the Gorge is spectacular and a few nights at Beacon Rock State Park were some of the best of the Summer. There is a nice dock there with power, clean bathrooms/showers and a nice 3 mile loop up and back to the top of the rock. Astoria is a great town, but the River drive wasn't my favorite. Here is a link to charts that we used for our backup to the electronics: http://www.amazon.com/River-Cruising-At ... 0945265654

If you have any questions about where to drop in or trips in the area please don't hesitate to drop me a line - there are a few of us around here always willing to help!
 
Joe the Army corps of engineers maintains all of the dams, locks and a lot of the shore line if you are going to go above the dams say up to the Tri cities . Their site by district might be of help with lock schedules, dam info etc. Marinas above the Dalles gets pretty sparse but Umatilla has a Marina and the Walla Walla Yacht club at Wallula has a private dock. Then up closer to the Tri cities there is Sacajawia State park and Charbonneau Marina about 5 miles up the Snake above Ice Harbor dam. Diesel at those locations might be a problem. Clover Island in Kennewick would have fuel and Richland has put in some nice moorage on the river too. There are a lot of fishing launches and the Washington state fisheries guides might show some areas close to launches where you could anchor.
There is a group that I think is called the Lower Columbia boaters association that maintains an info site on areas downstream from Portland.
 
I cruised the Columbia back in 2011 and for planning purposes I used the Evergreen Pacific's River Cruising Atlas.
Helgerso's link to Amazon is one source to buy the guide. What I found when I went to purchase one was that they were selling an older version.
Evergreen Pacific has had a booth at the Seattle Boat show and are quite knowledgeable.

A couple suggestions for river cruising:

If you travel in the spring the river is flowing fast and really slows you down going up river. My R25sc was slowed to about 6kts in some places where the river narrows.

If you are traveling down river of Vancouver and Portland there is a significant Tidal influence especially on a Ranger.
So plan your trip with the tide and you will save time and fuel.[b] [url=http://water.weather.gov/a...p://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=pqr[/b][/url]
On a day trip from Astoria to Portland I was able to save a full hour of travel and a few gallons of Diesel.
For short trips I just went any time.
Happy Columbia Cruising!
 
Thank you for all the replies and the information.
I knew the TUGNUTS forum was the place to go for assistance and, of course, you came through.
Joe
 
Please let us know how your trip goes.

I have a 21-EC that I've taken in parts of the Willamette, and have often thought about taking all the way down to Warrenton. I know another tugnutter took his 21 from the Snake River to the mouth of the Columbia, although that was a summer trip.

JtheK
 
The Oregon State Marine Board has publishedseveral boating guides for the Columbia and Willamette the identify where facilities are loacted on the rivers. There are a number of public docks along the Oregon side of the rivers wher you can stop for up to 72hours for no charge. Many commercial marinas have copies availble. I have also seen them in marine supply stores.
If you come to the Columbia make sure to travel up the Willamette thru Portland to Oregon City. Beautiful trip and there is a pubic dock, free for 72 hours, at both Oregon City and Lake Oswego.
You can get out of the current of the Columbia by traveling up river on the Multnomah Channel from St Helens to Portland.
Have fun, travel on the Columbia River systems offers many side trips to try out but be careful of shallow water off the main channel.
John Turner
Albany
 
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