Chinook 34 Sailboat – Cinnamon

As we head into the late fall the days start getting shorter and the sun is low in the southern sky here at 45 degrees north on the Columbia River (known as Wimahl or Big River to the Chinook-speaking natives who live on its lowermost reaches) in Portland, Oregon. The Pacific lows roll in and push the summer high pressure east of the Cascade Mountains, the wind turns to the east and is funneled through the ventury vortex of the Columbia River Gorge dropping almost to sea level for 200 miles upriver with volcanic peaks rising up to over eleven thousand foot on either side, Mt. Hood (Wy’east) to the south and Mt. Adams to the north. Winds are routinely recorded at the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge from Cascade Locks to Crown Point in the 50 mph range. As the Columbia River flows into Portland, Oregon it doglegs to the north and so the Portland – Vancouver yacht harbor is somewhat sheltered. Depending on the position of the low pressure centers, north or south, wind and sailing conditions can vary widely. Some of the best sailing days are when a low has passed to the north of our area, the pressure gradients have slacked off and a nice southeast wind swings around the dogleg to give us clearing sky’s and a fun close haul upriver.

Here is a picture of of Mt Hood thru the bow pulpit on Cinnamon, our Yacht Constructors Chinook 34 sailboat November 24, 2008. It’s also a nice shot of the Harken Blocks and running rigging at the mast. Click on the picture for a larger image.