RIBnet Columbia River Meet - 31 Mar / 1 Apr 2007

If you guys get a RIb rodeo put together any where near Washington I would love an invite.

Donnie,

We sure will. I think it would neat to do a Columbia river run or a Puget Sound run. Either one will have plent of gas stops, the Columbia river has the dam issue.

JB

Columbia either way sounds like a good deal…you’re back on the water. Hopefully what ever you decide it’s up and running by spring

JB either way I’m game. I have yet to do a Columbia river run and have been wanting too. But pub hopping in the sound or just cruising is also fun. I comfortably have about a 70 mile range on mine so depending on where we go and how much fuel we go through we could always through a couple 5 gallon jugs on my boat. I don’t think I have ever needed to refuel in a day. But I’ve also never done a full day of running it’s usually run to dive site stop or idle and then run to the next.

Where on the Columbia R. would you guys start? When would you go for it & how many days would you plan for?

Prairie Tuber I don’t know the Columbia at all except for the small portion near Portland and the small area near Wenatchee so hopefully someone smarter then I can plan this. But if you think you could make it down for a run on the Columbia then I would be game to trailer out to the north eastern side of the state so your run wouldn’t be as long. If we wanted to do the sound I can plan that one. As for how many days? I have a lot of vacation time planned all ready this year so I would be able to join in on 1-3 days.

hi guys....

columbiachop and pacificnwrib and i are down on the lower section of the river so no dams to deal with and down here, we also have trees unlike the dessert stretches... makes it a little nicer on the eyes... lots of wild life too seals, eagles etc.. good beaches too... also being right off i5 makes it really easy to get to.

two ways to go either toward the mouth or up towards portland with lots to see in between.


seeya -pd

i agree. the lower columbia is very beautiful. if we started in portland or even longview, we could make a day of it (each way). i think from longview it would be somewhere around 50 miles to the ocean.

there would be a great stop in cathlamet for fuel, drinks, and food. then there is several cool little towns between there and astoria. astoria is a great finish place as it is a beautiful old port town. the columbia river bar starts around there and if the weather permited, we could cross and officially make it to the pacific.

the columbia river bar is the roughest section of water in the u.s. so it can be fun and interesting. big waves, currents fighting against them, and moving sandbars make it the "pacific graveyard".

it's a grand finale:)

my families place is about halfway there and has a dock/shop in case we needed tools, fuel, etc.

Either way is fine with me. I think we should start in Portland and head towards the coast. Also, if we did an eastern trip through the Gorge. There are a lot of towns on the river and the Full Sail brewery in Hood River. Both trips would be a blast.

I think a two day trip would work out fine. One day towards the coast and a day back to Portland. I will work on the details and shoot for sometime in March or April?

Comments or suggestions?

Donnie,

A trip up the sound would be awesome! Final destination at Friday Harbor or somewhere in the San Juans. We could make that a two day trip during the summer months and camp overnight on one of the islands. I used to live in Redmond and a couple of us launch in Kirkland, ran through the Ballard Locks and came back through and had dinner on Lake Union.

O.K., I am really stoked!

Hey guys all three sounds like awesome trips to me and count me in for any or all of them. The first trip in March or April also work great I’m in Utila diving from March 8-18th so later March or any part of April would be awesome. I’ve only been on the Columbia fishing so any trip would be new to me and a lot of fun. Are we looking at camping or hoteling it? Me personally I’m always up for a good steak cooked over a fire.

As for the San Juan’s let’s do it. I have a couple friends coming for a week of diving July 21-30 so that time frame is out for me. As for places to stay up there there are several Islands that are camping only and usually first come first serve. With that being said I have also never not found a place to camp either. If we wanted to base camp in one spot and take day trips I could run the fifth wheel up to Anacortes Friday morning and stake out a couple spots at Washington Park they have a nice boat launch there and just make day trips.

Sounds like we have got a good summer starting to evolve.

According to Google Maps, it's only 4,038 miles! Count me in... I wish...:(

Hey guys all three sounds like awesome trips to me and count me in for any or all of them. The first trip in March or April also work great I’m in Utila diving from March 8-18th so later March or any part of April would be awesome. I’ve only been on the Columbia fishing so any trip would be new to me and a lot of fun. Are we looking at camping or hoteling it? Me personally I’m always up for a good steak cooked over a fire.

As for the San Juan’s let’s do it. I have a couple friends coming for a week of diving July 21-30 so that time frame is out for me. As for places to stay up there there are several Islands that are camping only and usually first come first serve. With that being said I have also never not found a place to camp either. If we wanted to base camp in one spot and take day trips I could run the fifth wheel up to Anacortes Friday morning and stake out a couple spots at Washington Park they have a nice boat launch there and just make day trips.

Sounds like we have got a good summer starting to evolve.

I've camped at Clark Island (NE of Orcas Is in the San Juans), nice camp sites and there is even a reservable group site. I was there in peak summer season a couple of years ago and there was I think 2 other campers on the 20 or so camp sites. The other northern islands in the San Juans get a lot more campers and it is hard to get a site in the summer.

This sounds like fun, either the Columbia or the San Juans, or both!

Right on sounds like we have a forth boat being added to the mix.

I’ve only stayed on the smaller islands around Whidbey Island. I actually haven’t done a camping trip out of my RIB I’ve only done them out of a smaller 13’ SIB I use to have. But have heard many a story about people going and finding a spot but it’s always been on Sucia Island.

4STR how often do you go out diving? I’m usually in the water every weekend and I’m always looking for more dive buddies and boats to go along. During the summer I try to do at least one camping/diving trip a month.

Excellent,

I guess the date I am shooting for is the last weekend in March. If we launch somewhere either in Portland or on the Columbia, let's say Camas/Washougal port, it is about 100 miles to get to the Pacific.

Which we could easily do in a day. With several stops along the way and for any equipment malfunctions (Kalama, Longview, Astoria).

I like the idea of camping, but it might be a little cold.

The last weekend in March works well for me. We will plan on a Saturday March 31st launch?

Camping in the cold doesn’t bother me a bit it’s the camping in the rain that sucks. I am game either way but putting my vote in for camping if there is a camp ground around with a dock. I took a quick look and didn’t find anything but didn’t look that hard either. If we don’t camp are we thinking mooring in Astoria and getting a local hotel? I wouldn’t mind launching a bit east of Portland and running west. Where would be the safest place to leave the vehicles over night and not have to worry about them?

Right on sounds like we have a forth boat being added to the mix.

I’ve only stayed on the smaller islands around Whidbey Island. I actually haven’t done a camping trip out of my RIB I’ve only done them out of a smaller 13’ SIB I use to have. But have heard many a story about people going and finding a spot but it’s always been on Sucia Island.

4STR how often do you go out diving? I’m usually in the water every weekend and I’m always looking for more dive buddies and boats to go along. During the summer I try to do at least one camping/diving trip a month.

I dive at least a couple of times a month. Spring thrrough fall the boat gets out at least once a month on a dive trip. I've camped on Sucia and Patos too.

The end of march sounds good. Not sure about camping in the rain but what the hell.

hey guys. i won't have my rib together by the end of march, but i can roll with the C5. i'll just need to visit the chiropractor the next day.

i have a couple ideas for places to stay.
1. vista park camp ground in skamokawa wa. that's across the street from my families place.

2.we can crash in the house too. it's not big but has 5 beds and 3 bedrooms (money saver). we can park the boats right at the dock overnight.

3.there are rooms to rent at a cool waterfront place facing the river with a dock. i'll check on prices. i found a picture of my son and i heading into skamokawa. the rooms for rent are just out of the picture but on the waterfront. two fisherman bars and an interpretive center for fun.

4.there is a chance we could stay at a friends place in altuna. it's a vacant, creepy house that i swear is haunted. it would be free and has a spectacular view up and down the columbia river all the way to astoria. no dock, but we can tie the boats up to pilings if we dare.

5. i don't see why we can't camp on the islands scattered thoughout the river. we camp on them and play paintball out there too.

here's a pic i already posted of my c5 tied up in front of the altuna house. astoria 10 miles in the distance. the ocean about 13 i think.

one final note. there is a HUGE rope swing along the way. must be 60 feet up and only accessable by boat in a cove surrounded by cliffs. i'll dig up a picture.

also, for those who have never been in this part of the columbia, it's huge.

in the picture with the boat tied up. what looks like the other side of the river is only halfway across. those are islands and they line the river for many miles. tons of places to explore.

sales pitch done:)

can't wait.

andy

i just google measured the trip via the river.

nw portland to the pacific-98 miles

longview to the pacific-60 miles

skamokawa to the pacific-30 miles

OK OK you guys talked me out of camping…or maybe I just realized we are doing this in march and the chance of rain is about 99.999%. Columbia all of the options you give sounds great coming back from 10 days of diving on March 15th money savers are always good and option 3 sounds pretty cool too. Being we are taking a full day each direction I would say lets launch in Portland but it looks like I’m running the bigger boat so I’m probably not the one that should make that call. I know I can make a 100 miles and just a couple hours if I need too. Columbia if you can’t get the RIB up and running by March you are welcome on my boat if you would like. You have a fancy SIB I had a tiller on mine.

4str next time you head out diving if you are looking for an additional boat send me a PM like I mentioned I’m out about every weekend.

God only knows how much fuel its going to take just getting across the pond
wheres the best place to land & is any one else comeing in from the cost ??

grumpy, basically after you cross the atlantic, just work your way south through the bermuda triangle use the sun as your compass will NOT work, and pass through the panama canal (about 5$ i think). take a hard right and simply head north. once the sun goes away and fog and rain set in, take a right into the columbia. keep winding up til you see skyscrapers and people hugging trees. see you there!

donnie, thanks for the offer of the ride. i may take you up on that. i'm just a half mile from your route in portland. i'll see how it goes with the repairs.

Listening to you guys in the good old US of A its strange to hear the place names you talk about. A lot are english. Funny how they've managed to stay over the years and not change.

Just an observation from over the water.

Columbia just let me know if you have a towing bridle for it we could always tug it along and you can ride it when you want to and ride in mine when you don’t. All though I don’t know what the SIB would do at the end of a rope doing 40+ may not be a good idea….

Biggles I’ve never noticed and I’m not sure I’m smart enough to really know what a true English name is. Most of the names around here are either Native American or English from the first of the explorers out this direction.

i just couldn't stand it anymore.. i had to go out for a couple of hours... went down to cathlamet then back up to the lewis/clark bridge... watched an eagle swoop up dinner from the surface along with a couple of seals popping up and down plus a few salmon jumping... it was beautiful out there today the river was complete glass and a wicked sunset to boot.

hey biggles, cathlamet is just past skamokawa which is in wahkiakum county... you'll be quizzed on pronunciation tomorrow... hehe

sounds like the rib rodeo is eminent... cool

-pd

As far as fuel consumption, for my RIB, 25 liters will get me about 50 miles cruising at 22 knots. This is with a 30 HP outboard. I don't how fast we will be cruising or going for that matter.

I will definitely bring some extra fuel for the trip. Going to try to get out tomorrow and round around the local lake here in east Vancouver.

i was also going to say that chop's offer of lodging is great!! as there are precious few mooring for the public.... it's that or we're pulling on shore and waiting for the tide to free us again!

as far as fuel goes kalama has a pump then longview at willow grove then cathlamet then astoria.

jb i could always carry an extra five of petro on board in case wind or tide is against you.

after skamokawa are you thinking taking the prarrie channel (probably better for the smaller craft) on the inside to tongue point?? or out in the wide open in the main channel??

for a run later in the summer grumpy could hit a few of those north sea oil rigs to fuel then progress to the arctic passage cuz that $5 fee at the panama canal could be a bit steep ;-)

hey biggles, cathlamet is just past skamokawa which is in wahkiakum county... you'll be quizzed on pronunciation tomorrow... hehe

-pd


Thats okay we got so many Poles here now that sounds almost inglish :mad:

As for fuel it looks like I will probably be going solo so there is plenty of room for extra fuel in my boat also. I can just about make it one way with out stopping so I won't need it but will have a spare 10 gallons on me. I’m also thinking that we have all day to make it 100 miles there’s no reason to jam it and burn the fuel to be there by noon. I’m on the water I’m in my boat life is good I could careless if we get there at noon or midnight

Grumpy don’t burn the fuel hitch hike rope the back of a freighter and let it tow you across the pond! Look forward to seeing you out here late summer first part of next year :-)

I’m also thinking that we have all day to make it 100 miles there’s no reason to jam it and burn the fuel to be there by noon. I’m on the water I’m in my boat life is good I could careless if we get there at noon or midnight




The thoughts of a man happy with his inner self. :cheers:

Is the date definite for me to put in my calendar?

I will defer to those that know the Columbia for the itinerary.

Given the season I support staying in a hotel (or someplace with a roof) near the river so I can sleep in a dry spot.

Steve
4str

As far as I’m concerned launching on Sat March 31 is the date I’m planning on. As with Steve is that correct? This weekend would work best for me being the weekend of the 23rd I will probably need to work to get caught back up after being gone for 10 days. But if the 23 is what works for everyone else I will make it work for me.

Yes, March 31st works for me. I have other plans on the 23rd and 24th. Spring Chinook fishing!

Should work for me, now I just have to finish my winter upgrades.

works for me too.

i'll get prices and contact info for the rooms for rent in skamokawa.

Hey Andy just wanted to say thanks for putting in all of the leg work on this.

Donnie

Hey Andy just wanted to say thanks for putting in all of the leg work on this.

Donnie
I second that, thanks!

you're welcome.

i'm stoked you guys chose this area.

i'll be up there this weekend so i can talk to greg (the owner) about price and availability.

andy

ok, i just got back from skamokawa.

here's their website: skamokawakayak.com


i took a quick cruise into the columbia with my son and his cousins as it was sunny and beautiful day. a fog bank rolled in that looked like something out of a movie. the temp dropped by about 10 degrees and a fierce wind surrounded it. it churned the water up so it appeared as though it was pouring. what a strange feeling. we had a hell of a time finding shore on either side of the river. i wanted to stay out of the shipping channel as i could hear ships engines close by, though they were completely stopped. 2 miles later, we got lucky and ended up exactly at the mouth of the skamokawa. the scary part was i thought we were on the Oregon side! it was a sunny day then suddenly i had about 15 feet of visibility and couldn't even see the sky.

the kids loved it and thought zombies were in the fog.

by the way...skamokawa means "smoke on the water" in the local native american language. fog is a constant challenge there.

so rooms are available for march 31st.

andy

Looks good to me, but their site does not mention anything about mooring our own boats. The Meeting House Apt. sounds nice, but there is only one bathroom (not good).

Heck even if we did the individual rooms it wouldn’t be bad it’s only $50 I pay 20-30 just to park the fifth wheel when I take it and I’m supplying the house. But if everyone wanted to do the Apt. I wouldn’t mind taking a couch or a bed role. I think this is a great place thanks Andy. I’ve called down there and they don’t have enough dock space for all of us but are checking on weather or not we can anchor in their cove and we would just tie up one of the smaller boats to the dock. I'm waiting for their padeling guy to get a hold of me.

Sounds like your Sat. on the water was a lot like mine up here. I launched and it was sunny and beautiful I started towards the narrows and the fog bank was thick as pea-soup. Thank god for compass and GPS. We where looking for the bridge the GPS said we should be right there we where looking all over for that thing and then we looked up and it looked like something out of the movies the way

It looks like morage is taken care of one way or the other.

Hi Donny-

I talked with the Paddle Center Manager (Mark) this afternoon about mooring your six boats on Mar 31. He says 'no problem'! Sorry about making such 'drama' about it.

You can give me a call about room reservations for that night. As of right now everything is available for March 31. You can go to our site at _http://www.skamokawakayak.com/_ for more info about lodging at Skamokawa Center.

Hope to hear from you soon...

Carla
Groups and Lodging Manager
Skamokawa Center

Do we want to get the apt or individual rooms? If we wan the apt. I will reserve it now and we can split the cost when we get there. It looks like the 6 person one is a 2 bedroom. Or if we want to take the individual rooms talking to this lady we should reserve as soon as possible. At only $50 I am almost an advocate of the rooms.

carla is a really nice lady and mark is the laid back handy man kinda guy.

as far as the boats go...our dock is only 6 houses away and we can park as many as we need up there. it's about 40 ft long. we can either walk the 100 yards back to the rooms or all pile in one and leave it at the kayak center dock. they only have 2 cleats for their whole dock.

cool, i'm getting excited about this.

i'll probably just walk back to the house and crash after we paint the town that night.

you're gonna love the Oasis. a little old lady runs it out of her house. she's a pool shark too.

andy

ps. we happened to be in our little aluminum runabout that day in the fog. no compass or gps! i'm bringing a handheld next time.

actually, we can probably anchor them right in front of the rooms. it will make for a better view anyway.

the current on the outgoing tide picks up a bit, but not bad.

I am in for the apt. This sounds great, I am going to check into getting some flags made for the even. Something like 1st annual Columbia River run, with some type of RIB/River on it.

What do you guys think? Cheesy?

So, what about the launching point? Marine park on the Oregon side near Portland?

John

I unfortunately once again am a useless boob for an opinion as I don’t know the area at all. The only thing is that I would like to know that my truck is safe over night. As for a flag if you have them made I’ll buy one. If everyone is in agreement I’ll go a head and reserve the 2 bedroom apt. tomorrow.

That’s right Andy you did mention we can more at your place. Thanks I seem to have a short memory. This should be a blast I’m almost getting more excited about this then my 9 days of diving in the Bahamas starting March 8th.

Don't worry about the cost for the flags. I will put my company name in the corner somewhere and use it as a write off... Might as well advertise a little. I was thinking about what it would say or what logo...

"1st Annual RIB River Run!" and then a drawing of a RIB..

Thoughts or ideas? Colors?

And yes go ahead and get the room.

OK i just got the meating house APT. reserved. Is that going to be big enough? I will have a lady with me and most likely another couple. What are the head counts?

John i've been thinking of something for the flag but just haven't had/made time to set down and putt it to paper. I like your idea of a river and a RIB. and maybe something with 3 R's?

River
RIB
Rally

i'll be there. working to get a boat together for it.

Yes, this is quite exciting! Thursday, I made the drive from Vancouver to Bothell and then to Bellingham and back for my navigational arch. I also traded my longshaft outboard for a shortshaft. I will get some pics up once I get the arch mounted.

That's one thing we will need to make sure of, to stay around the channel. The Columbia can get shallow in some places.

Anywho, the wife, two girls and I are at Disneyland... I did that drive on Thurs... so we could get down here on Friday...

Andy it looks like there is a good possibility that i will be going solo again(she's complaining about the boat all ready) Either way the offer stands that you are welcome in mine. For seating i will have a leaning post, seat infront of console and a 120 qt cooler with pad bolted down to the deck.

John that is awesome heck of a one day trip but the Rib will be looking good. Ya i think i will second staying in the channel. Hopefully I can get my GPS working reliably by then.

great donnie. i was stressing about getting a new motor for my C5 and even then it would be a loooong trip in a sib.

i promise i won't complain about the boat:)

it IS true that there is moving sandbars for much of the last part of the trip. i know the stretch from skamokawa to altuna very well. we can cruise right up close to the cliffs for 12 miles or so. then we need to make friends with the shipping channel again.

ok, now i'm way more excited.

thanks!

andy

So, how many RIBs are there going to be? I need to get a count to get the flags made.

I hope its not too rough for me and my little 380. Yes, I cannot wait either! A little over a month to go!

As far as I know i think it looks like 3 mine, yours and Steves (aka 4str). John are you kidding to small you are probably the only one that will get to have some fun. I need something around 4-5' before my boat will even thing about leaving the water. That and with the seating i have it's really only safe to do with a couple people on board.

We might another RIB owner join us that weekend. I should find out more this week.

John

Right on John the more the better. Let me know if we need another room. Right now we can handle 6 people. I have 4 in my boat including Andy's crew. I haven't heard from Steve i don't know if he is bringing anyone other then him self or not.

I was selected last week as a juror for a 3 month trial, 4 days a week. I'm self employed so will be trying to keep up with work on the weekends until the trial is over. I can't make the meet this time.

I was really looking forward to seeing the Columbia from the river side. Its going to be a great run.

Hey Steve sorry to hear that I think that just means we have to start planning a San Juans Rally here before to long

So does that make only two RIBs? Hmmm.... Maybe I should put the world out at IBC, Boatersworld, and West Marine. I think I know of another RIB dealer that is local.

heck ya lets see if we can get a couple other boats goign here. I think Columbiachop mentioned that he knew of another boat that was coming.

that's a good idea to ask at the IBC.

i bet greg would go. he was selling an 18ft bombard that was his personal boat so he may be boatless.

tell him andy with the C5 is going too.

unfortunately i don't know anyone else with a rib or sib.

Guys,

I don't know how to say this, but last night I rolled my ankle while playing basketball. It's in pretty bad shape and I with the lack of RIBS for this event. Maybe we should just work on the Summer trip.

Thoughts?

Guys,

I don't know how to say this, but last night I rolled my ankle while playing basketball. It's in pretty bad shape and I with the lack of RIBS for this event. Maybe we should just work on the Summer trip.

Thoughts?

I'm still game to go. Being its still 2 weeks away I would think your ankle would be back too 100% as long as something isn't pulled or broken. Lodging is paid for so I would probably end up going one way or the other any how. As for quantity of RIBS well we have to start some where. I would also like to do a summer trip this summer maybe the San Juan’s? Let me know what everyone else is thinking. All though it is a very short list. I do have to agree John I was hoping for a better turn out and I do hope you ankle gets better. If you have to bow out it's perfectly understandable.

Sounds good, and you are right my ankle should be fine by then. We need to work out the details of a launching point and where we can safely store our vehicles.

Sounds good, and you are right my ankle should be fine by then. We need to work out the details of a launching point and where we can safely store our vehicles.

I will start doing some looking around this week while i'm suppose to be working. Is there a marina around that would have a secure lot we could pay to park?

I think this is probably our best option. Select the Storage/Parking link on the left hand side of the screen. I don't know if they have a daily rate, but I will look into it.

http://columbiacrossings.com/

Columbia Crossings can ease the stress of too many vehicles and trailers in your garage and driveway. We offer 35 covered and 170 uncovered spaces for trailers, RV’s, and vehicles up to 35 feet. The rates are reasonable and both facilities are secured with electronic gates and patrolled 24 hours. Access is 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Columbia Crossings' parking facilities are just 1/2 mile from I-5, between Vancouver and Portland.

* Large, covered asphalt pads
* Ample turning radius for large vehicles
* Solid steel roof, minimum 12'6" clearance
* Public storage available onsite



Just minutes from the open road.

I called them last night and it's only $5 a day to park there if they have room. The guy who answered the phone said it's best to call a couple days in advanced. The only thing is that they don't have a boat launch. Any idea's on how to get the vehicles to the parking and back to the boats? I won't have anyone with me who can drive a truck and trailer or my boat. I think John will have the same problem being I think he's coming solo. This looks like a great place to leave the rigs if we could just work out the logistics.

John/Andy have you guys heard of anyone messing with vehicles if we just left them at the boat launch on the Vancover side? It's either that or we launch and if Andy's comfortable with it take my boat to the Crossings to pick us up after we park the trucks. and run us back to grab Johns boat. Unless John has someone coming with us that can drive his boat. By the way John how is the ankle doing?

sure i'll drive your boat over there. i don't know much about that place as far as crime. i know most of the inner city ramps have issues from time to time. i'm just going to make sure i don't leave anything valuable in my truck.

can't wait. i may have scurried up a last minute date for the trip too.

So, what happened in the end? Did anyone get out there?

John

So, what happened in the end? Did anyone get out there?

John

well, sort of. donnie brought a lady, and his boat down from seattle. i brought a blind date for the weekend:eek: , and we met in skamokawa washington. his boat was a blast to ride in. we made good time through 3-4ft chop all the way to astoria. we decided not to cross the bar into the ocean, but instead plowed our way through a couple gallons of donnies homebrewed beer.

we really did have a great weekend even though it was just one boat. plus my date worked out great! we had a seat all picked out for her back by the engines if she turned out to be fugly or annoying:D

we got alot of looks in his boat as they are very rare around here.

here's some pictures:

Sounds like you had a good time! :D

John

Columbia & Donnie,

They both look like keepers!

Columbia & Donnie,

They both look like keepers!

Hey thanks she is a beauty and even better she’s fast. One day I may find a lady that looks as good but hopefully not as fast and cheaper to feed.

Hey thanks she is a beauty and even better she’s fast. One day I may find a lady that looks as good but hopefully not as fast and cheaper to feed.

Fast women and fast boats, works for me! Glad to hear you had a good trip!