Kent Ranger Sailing Association

Charts & Readings for Cruising North

27 March 2008

Contents

21 March 2003

Swinomish Channel Currents

This formula for calculating the currents in the Swinomish channel came from a La Conner resident.

[ View the explanation (a text file) ]

The "executive summary" of that formula appears to be something like this: "Flow is to the north around (i.e., before & after) high tide (adjusted from Seattle's); to the south around low tide (ditto)."

In her fine cruising book (listed below), Migael Scherer says, "Some say it floods north & ebbs south, about an hour before (or after) Anacortes.  Generally.  Others say it floods & ebbs from both ends." (p. 238)

Something else useful to know:  The colors of the markers reverse at the highway bridge near the north end of the channel.  North of the bridge, red is on the west side; south of the bridge, red is on the east side.  Unless you know about the change, "red-right-returning" isn't of much use; nor is treating the channel like a river.

And some advice:  Do not take your eyes off the railroad bridge as you approach it.  One club member has had it turn closed directly in front of him; another has seen it close almost immediately after him. The latter type of event, although to be preferred over the former, is still creepy, and the sum of this small sample seems to imply that it isn't safe to assume that anybody is watching out for you.

Put these paragraphs and the complete explanation (from the above link) on your Palm.  Or whatever.

27 September 2004

Charts & Readings

Most of this list of helpful materials was generated for a Canada trip years ago, but some or all of it should still be useful.  It is a rather intimidating list, and some of it may be optional to some extent, but even when traveling in company it's best to be prepared for independence.

Thanks to Jack, Steve, Larry, and anyone else who steps forward to accept credit. mdk_

Tides and Currents

Cruisers headed for destinations farther north (Desolation Sound, for example) may find this helpful: Desolation Sound Info. 

07 August 2006

Useful links

This has not been updated recently.
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