Rough seas in the Northwest

Ahoy.

We will have wonderful boating weather this winter weekend in Southern California, with warm air temperatures and not-too-big seas for this time of year.

I am predicting that the swells will be 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 feet, and a good afternoon breeze will be blowing for rag-boaters (sail-boaters for you landlubbers).

Keep in mind that if you’re venturing outside the harbor entrance, you should keep an eye to the seas up north, as Point Conception is expected to build to 15 feet Saturday night, and that could kick up our seas on Sunday.

Just be glad that you aren’t trying to go boating in the Pacific Northwest, as a hazardous-seas advisory is still in effect. To give you a little taste just how bad, I looked at the forecasted weather conditions outside the Columbia River. As more rain passes through, the combined seas are expected to be 30 feet high, with winds blowing 30 to 35 knots and gusting to 45 knots. Been there and done that in the middle of the Pacific Ocean when my nearest harbor was about 1,000 nautical miles away, and let me tell you that it is no place for the faint-hearted. Only the foolish would try to punch through the Columbia bar in a small craft.

Closer to home port, Avalon Harbor has added new regulations this month after the City Council voted for boat owners to properly maintain their vessels. The regulations will help decrease the number of abandoned vessels and help protect the environment from neglected vessels sinking, which obviously pollute the water. Also, unfortunately, there is a small faction of people who live on boats and are, let me say this tactfully, not real boaters. You have seen the boats with the decks covered with junk, the paint faded, exterior wood cracking, and you wonder how that boat still floats.

Well, Avalon’s new regulations now state that vessel decks must be clear of any junk so that harbor patrol officers will have safe access for any emergency. Also, insurance will be required for vessels moored in Avalon for more than a couple of weeks or a month, depending on the time of year. Lastly, all the boat owners must be able to demonstrate that their vessels are operational under their own engine power -- even sailboats. We have this regulation in Newport Harbor, except that sailboats are not required to have an engine.

The regulations appeared to be based on a common-sense approach, and I think these regulations are reasonable.

This week I will swap the tip of the week for news of week with the $215-million purchase of Lowrance Electronics by Simrad. Boaters know these manufacturers of GPS units, fish finders, autopilots and other boating electronic gizmos. This acquisition will position Simrad with products for the weekend sailor to the high-end yachtie, and I will be keeping Simrad on my radar, watching for any new or improved products.

However, I am still amazed when I walk on the bridge to take command of a new yacht with the rapid advancement of the newly installed electronics. The systems are getting ergonomically better for operating in rough seas, much easier to navigate the functions, and active interfacing with other electronic units and computer systems.

Did you know that there are companies that provide a service to track a boat over the Internet in real time? Not only see where the vessel is on a chart but if the vessel is underway. Then you can, for example, see the speed, heading, and engine readings. Some interfaces will allow you to remotely turn on the air conditioner and lights prior to you stepping aboard the boat -- not to mention the security applications these systems provide to the boat owner.

I speculate that the electronics on most yachts today are more sophisticated then those units that were aboard the Apollo spacecraft that flew to the moon.

Tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation every Saturday at noon. “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show� is on KCBQ-AM (1170) or online at www.boathouseradio.com.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by e-mail to [email protected] or visit www.boathousetv.com.

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