Month: February 2014

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Potential ports of call

Some of you have asked where we plan to stop on the way up the coast.  Here is a list of the places we will (most likely) stop for at least an overnight stay and possibly a longer rest.  The distances to each port are approximate and in nautical miles.  Just for reference, when motoring or sailing, you can assume that we will be traveling at an average of 5 mph.  Let me know if any of you have comments or suggestions!

  California- Depart from San Pedro

 

Catalina Island – Emerald Cove (20nm)

Marina del Rey (29.5nm)

Paradise Cove, Malibu (17.1nm)

Ventura Harbor (27.6nm)

Santa Barbara Harbor (22.4nm)

Cojo Anchorage (37.8nm)

Port San Luis (45.3nm)

Morro Bay (20nm)

San Simeon Bay (23nm)

Monterrey Bay (85nm)

Moss Landing (15nm)

Santa Cruz Harbor (18nm)

Half Moon Bay (46nm)

Drakes Bay (92.2nm)

Bodega Bay (25nm)

Noyo Anchorage, Fort Bragg (80nm)

Shelter Cove (37nm)

Humboldt Bay, Eureka (60nm)

Trinidad Head (18nm)

Crescent City (45nm)

 

   Oregon

 

 

Chetco River, Brookings (18nm)

Port Orford  (46nm)

Coquille River, Bandon (30nm)

Coos Bay (15nm)

Umpqua River (20nm)

Suislaw River, Florence (21nm)

Yaquina Bay, Newport (45nm)

Columbia River Entrance (95nm)

 

  Washington

 

Gray’s Harbor (40nm)

La Push (70nm)

Neah Bay (45nm)

Port Angeles (50nm) – destination for this part of the trip

 

 

Learning to be a mechanic’s apprentice

A few weeks ago Ralph and I dismantled our steering system in order to remove the binnacle for painting.  Today we begin to reassemble everything.  I have to admit that, while I have good intuitive instincts, I don’t know much about mechanical systems.  So what I usually do is fetch tools, hold the flashlight, and provide other support.  I am getting some grease on my hands, which feels – how shall I put this? – yucky.  But, I don’t mind getting my hands dirty.  Here are some photos of the binnacle and when it was partially dismantled (the wheel gets attache to that post with the knob on it, FYI).  I’ll update you on how it goes with the reassembly.

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First post

As many of you know, we are planning to leave for The Big Trip in May.  The Big Trip is what we are calling the trip up the west coast on our 41′ sailboat, Toga.  We plan to leave from San Pedro and head north to British Columbia.  We are working on a list of potential stops on the way, usually stopping each day somewhere.  The trip will probably take 6 weeks or so, we are not planning to rush, but rather try to enjoy the passage as much as we can.  Those that have made the trip up the coast warn that it is unpleasant – mainly because you are fighting the prevailing wind, waves and current.

Once we get to our ultimate destination, we plan to explore the area until the weather turns cold.  We will leave Toga in Canada or Washington and come back to Redondo Beach for the winter months, then head back for more adventures in the Spring.

It is very important to me to keep in touch with my friends and family, so I hope this blog will help.  Let me know if you have any questions about the boat or the trip.  Hugs!

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