Going from lakes to ocean

[raymondean]

Good morning all.
I live in eastern washington state, and last year, I bought my first decent boat. Its an bayliner 185. 18.5 foot, mercruiser 3.0 liter.
I have only kept it on local lakes, but was thinking of taking it down the columbia river, possibly to the ocean. I really want to at least take it on the ocean at least once. My questions are thus: Does saltwater do harm to anything, and if so, what are the risks to running gear? I was planning on gettting an vhf radio for the damns and locks on the river, and also for the coast guard, etc for ocean. Of course, the wife thinks I'm nuts, but she thinks that a lot. Lol.
If anybody has done the same thing I want to do, please let me know what problems you ran into. Thanks, Ray Harper

 

[java230]

Flush well with fresh water after using. Thats about it. I definitely would NOT go out the columbia bar in that though.....

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... I've found the Best way to flush the brine outa/ offa the boat, is to dunk it in a lake right after yer in the brine, 'n go boatin' some more,....

I've occasionally hauled my barge to Maine, 'n go boatin' in Frenchman's Bay,...

When done, We load out, 'n head to the lodge at Chemo pond, where We throw the barge back in, til We go home,...

 

[bobdec]

I think the statement in post 32 should have been "would NOT go' when referring to the ocean entrance from the Columbia River called the Columbia bar. Here's some info to read up on if you are planning that trip in a 18.5 ft (bowrider ?) . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Bar . Or just search on 'Graveyard of the Pacific"

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Hi ray just one thing the Columbia is not that bad maybe. The 185 is enough boat but watch the barges and ships closely they can easily leave a 5/6' roller wakes and if you hit them at any speed your going to have a bad day watch closely stop and be ready... Now as to the mouth of the Columbia that is where a 185..22...24..26..or 30 can run with ease or be about as effective as a toothpick at bouy ten things can get very bad very quickly. Become very familiar with tidal flow when they occur do not let a flat water near buoy 10 fool you i once went off ten and in 3/4 of a mile i met up with 12 foot roller's so large i drove up them at a 45 degree angle and actually dove of the crest it was so un nerving i actually pulled in behind a tanker and followed it out to calmer water...Hey Haunt you still around..he was there.. Have fun the the bar is one of the most dangerous body's of water in the world. Ahh i almost forgot to tell how fast those roller are...on the way back in i rode about half way up the roller doing about 15/20 mph for over a mile...yes i surfed the wave back in just on the back side is all...:faint2:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Bar

 

[java230]

I think the statement in post 32 should have been "would NOT go' when referring to the ocean entrance from the Columbia River called the Columbia bar. Here's some info to read up on if you are planning that trip in a 18.5 ft (bowrider ?) . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Bar . Or just search on 'Graveyard of the Pacific"

That is correct!! Sorry. Would NOT go.

 

[smokeonthewater]

O/P... LISTEN to your wife....

 

[redneck joe]

dad and I used to run the bar in an 18' sea ray but he always timed it OK never had a bad experience but have seen videos. Open bow? If so, and you simply must go put the canvas bow cover on.

 

[raymondean]

Thanks everbody, info on the bar and the potential for an amateur like myself to get into trouble really means a lot. Maybe i will try anacortes, and stay away from the mouth of the columbia.

 

[crazy charlie]

I will be the party pooper here.There are 4 things that would be a GREAT BIG STOP SIGN for me here. 1-Amateur 2- 18 footer 3- Columbia river 4- Ocean .You stated that you wanted to do this at least once. IMHO the Ocean part.... bad idea. Charlie

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Thanks everbody, info on the bar and the potential for an amateur like myself to get into trouble really means a lot. Maybe i will try anacortes, and stay away from the mouth of the columbia.

Well dont run scared that's not right either, get some time under your belt in safe water's. Just a few bad experience's on the columbia will give you some perspective and respect for those big wakes..Now about 5 miles upriver from portland on the washington side are some geat beaches enjoy the boat and have fun....Ohh if you ever do make it out on the ocean and see a large floating log dont worry to much you probably wont hit for the fact its a sea lion just sunbathing.... Yes there that big.