Reading everything you can find about a subject may not always be that helpful. Sometimes you just need to do a thing to understand it. But after safely transiting Yuculta Rapids today, I’m happy to report that sometimes researching/reading can be priceless.
I’ve pondered this part of the passage for the last two years, studying the details to death. It’s what I do. Today I put into practice what I’d learned.
The timing from Refuge cove was tricky, with little leeway for mistakes. We needed to be at the rapids no later then 11 am to catch the end of the ebb tide. If we were even 15 minutes late, we would have had to turn around and head down to Von Donop Inlet to wait till the next day.
To try and account for possible delays along the way we left the dock shortly after 6 am. Kudos to my crew for helping me function so early. Coffee was served before we even left the bay!
I’ve pondered this part of the passage for the last two years, studying the details to death. It’s what I do. Today I put into practice what I’d learned.
The timing from Refuge cove was tricky, with little leeway for mistakes. We needed to be at the rapids no later then 11 am to catch the end of the ebb tide. If we were even 15 minutes late, we would have had to turn around and head down to Von Donop Inlet to wait till the next day.
To try and account for possible delays along the way we left the dock shortly after 6 am. Kudos to my crew for helping me function so early. Coffee was served before we even left the bay!
Refuge Cove, 6:15 AM. Honest.
We ended up right on time, slowly approaching the tidal stream area shown on the chart. I used the binoculars to look for rough water, but we had planned well and all was calm as I throttled up the engine.
We scooted through just fine, edging some upwellings and a few small whirlpools. An hour later, at dock, we started to see why these waters can be so hazardous. The current through the marina held Odyssey hard, dock lines tight. The outflow rapids a mile away sounded like a rushing river, or maybe heavy surf. Out in that kind of water we would have little control going with the flow and no chance of fighting against it.
We scooted through just fine, edging some upwellings and a few small whirlpools. An hour later, at dock, we started to see why these waters can be so hazardous. The current through the marina held Odyssey hard, dock lines tight. The outflow rapids a mile away sounded like a rushing river, or maybe heavy surf. Out in that kind of water we would have little control going with the flow and no chance of fighting against it.
Whirlpool Point, Yuculta Rapids. Click and zoom.
Tomorrow we tackle Dent Rapids and the infamous Devils Hole! I’ll report on that at our next stop, with drink in hand.
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