The 2014 Coho Ho Ho Sailing Rally

We are very busy putting the 2014 Coho Ho Ho rally together.

Look for us at the Seattle Boat Show! we will be up on the mezzanine level across from Captains Nautical Supply right next to Flagship Maritime.

Check the home page for links to infomation sheets on Rally and Seminar Packages, Sponsorship, and our 2014 Speaker series.

The first half of the Coho Ho Ho is complete!

9:29 am "Moments has landed at Berkeley Marina. See you in Mexico! " ...Adam

Now that all the boats have safely completed the first leg of the Coho Ho Ho, we can send a warm congratulations to all the boats, skippers and crews!

Brad Baker at Swiftsure Yachts did a wonderful job with his daily weather briefs.  He will occasional send us updates as the boats make their way down the California Coast.  Also heaps of thanks to our supporters, and to our shore support:  Angela at Dockside Solutions and Lee at Gig Harbor Yacht Sales... More thanks to our sponsors.  We'll be posting about them too!

We will continue to post on boat locations on the blog, as they report on their travels.

The Coho Ho Ho team is very pleased and excited to have reached this milestone and are excited about the ongoing adventures of our boats.  We've a lot of ideas and plans to make next years Coho Ho Ho even bigger and better!

The Coho Ho Ho Founders

Doug Lombard

Karl Christopher

Eva Lombard

Weather Brief and boat locations August 27, Tuesday

Karl report: Locations as I know them August 26  http://cohohoho.blogspot.com
sv Journey - Half Moon Bay
sv Non Sequitur - in Port- Alemeda S.F.

sv Dawn Treader - in Port- Berkeley Marina S.F.

sv Unleashed - in Port- Berkeley Marina S.F.
sv Moments -yesterday:  left Eureka bound for SF
sv Ohana - Half Moon Bay CA.

Mega Kudos to Brad for his weather support!

(Note: "It is highly recommended that you use multiple sources for weather. Shortened weather briefings may leave out important details. Mariners are responsible for his or her Vessel situation and crew.")

From: Brad Baker
Date: Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 8:13 AM
Subject: August 27 weather

It has been my pleasure to help with weather for the Cohohoho.     Hopefully I got it right more than I got it wrong.  It appears that most the boats have made the passage to San Francisco safely.   Having made the trip up and down the coast several times myself, I truly wish I were out there with you.   For those of you continuing on South lots of great anchorages and experience await you.  If you have the chance, make the stop and set the hook at San Simeon.    This is a good anchorage in Northerly winds and you can catch the shuttle up for the Hearst Castle tour.  The bay itself is alive with abundant sea life and diving birds.    The Channel Islands are great.  We really enjoyed our stay at Santa Cruz Island as well.    I wish you all the best.

I will not be continuing with daily weather reports, but remain at your disposal.    Don't hesitate to contact me.

Email:  brad@swiftsureyachts.com

Cell: 206-920-7147

I will keep any eye on weather and the fleet and will likely make a report from time to time.

The forecast is nearly identical to yesterdays.    The dominant weather feature is a low pressure system hanging out off the Washington coast.   The current models show variations on this pattern all the way into the weekend.  There are indications that the low will push inland sometime Monday with a pattern change starting Tuesday where high pressure and northerlies on the coast starting Tuesday.   At 7 days out confidence is not high in this coming to pass, but there is a glimmer of hope for those wanting to start down the coast.  In any case the National Weather Service forecasters are calling for an organized system to come ashore late Thursday afternoon and evening.   Though the details are different the result could very well be the same as the front that passed us by yesterday.    Building south winds should be expected on Thursday from cape Blanco north eventually blowing 20-30 by Thursday evening.    Northern California waters should stay relatively benign from cape Mendocino South, with light to moderate W to NW winds blowing between Cape Mendocino and San Francisco.  South of San Francisco will likely see Moderate to heavy NW winds during the next few days for anyone deciding to venture further South.

Cape Flattery to Cape Mendocino

Today and Wednesday – S winds 5-15 (higher gusts possible) rain at times

Thursday – S winds 5-15 in the morning building to 15-25 with gusts exceeding 30 knots at times in the evening.  Rain

Friday – winds subsiding a bit with Southerlies 10-20, should dry up a bit with scattered showers

Saturday – South winds to 15

Seas – Swell 3-6 feet with wind waves 1-5 feet.  The swell will subside today, with lowest waves Wednesday then begin to build again Thursday

The strongest Southerly winds look to be Cape Blanco North during this forecast period

Cape Mendocino to San Francisco

Today thru Saturday – Variations on W to NW winds 5-20.  Patchy night and morning fog.

Seas 3 to 6 feet.  Wind waves 1-3 feet

Periods of higher sustained winds are always possible in this area with the diurnal cycle so keep this in mind and be prepared to reef accordingly.

San Francisco to Point Conception

Today thru Saturday – NW winds 15-25 with higher gusts (especially higher near Point Conception)  Winds will likely be less within 10 miles of the coast.

Seas – 4 to 7 feet with wind waves to 3 to 6 feet, all should be from the NW.

Cheers!

Brad
--

Weather Brief and boat locations August 26, monday

Karl report: Locations as I know them August 26  http://cohohoho.blogspot.com
sv Journey - Half Moon Bay
sv Non Sequitur - in Port- Alemeda S.F.

sv Dawn Treader - in Port- Clipper Cove, S.F.

sv Unleashed - in Port- Berkeley Marina S.F.
sv Moments - 01:00 arrived in Eureka about an hour ago, to depart again this afternoon
sv Ohana - 07:02 "We have arrived! Half Moon Bay CA.  900 miles of offshore sailing achieved! Now for sleep"

and now, Brads Weather Brief:

(Note: "It is highly recommended that you use multiple sources for weather. Shortened weather briefings may leave out important details. Mariners are responsible for his or her Vessel situation and crew.")

From: Brad Baker
Date: Mon, Aug 26, 2013 at 8:05 AM
Subject: August 26 weather

The weather models are sticking with a trough and associated low pressure system persisting off the NW Coast for at least the next 5 days.  In the short there are small craft warning that extend from Cape Flattery all the way to Just south of Cape Blanco.  A fairly substantial cold front will pass through the Washington and Oregon coastal waters today, probably really getting cranked up by the time this forecast goes out to the fleet.   Peak winds out of the South to 30 knots can be expected just before and with frontal passage, then shifting to the SW after the front and subsiding rather quickly.  Oh, and it's gonna rain.  There might even be a lightning strike or two in the coastal waters.   Actual timing for the front itself should be early to mid afternoon and will be inland by late this evening (that means we get rain here in Seattle later today L which my lawn will likeJ).  Beyond today, with the low wobbling like a top offshore,  conditions will remain unsettled off the Washington and Oregon Coasts with prevailing winds out of the south.   It looks like the next organized system will be towards the end of the week, but timing of stuff like this can change.   In contrast for the Northern California waters, pressure gradients should remain light over the next at least 4 day.  This means light to moderate W to NW winds from Cape Mendocino South.  The gradients do pick up a bit mid California to Southern California, so from about SF south I'd say winds will be more in the moderate category.

For any of you waiting for a good weather window to start down the coast it looks as though the pattern may change in about 1 week to a more northerly pattern for the Washington and Oregon waters. 

Cape Flattery to Cape Mendocino

Today – Small craft warnings from Cape Blanco South.  South winds this morning at 15 knots building to 20-30 knots this afternoon (higher gust).  Rain.  Wind shifting to the SW in the evening and subsiding late to 10-20 most likely after midnight.  There is a reasonable chance of lightning today through this evening in coastal waters.

Tues & Weds – Variations on South winds 5-15 knots, rain and or fog possible.

Thurs & Friday – Actual timing is in question but it looks like another front with winds 15-25 from the south possible sometime these days.

For this entire forecast period wind should be stronger the further North you are in the forecast area (Washington and N. Oregon coasts).  Winds between Capes Blanco and Mendocino should remain light to moderate

Seas – W to SW swell 6 to 7 feet peaking Monday evening with wind waves to 6 feet as well.    Otherwise Swell 3 to 5 feet with wind waves 1-3 feet

Cape Mendocino to San Francisco

Today – Thursday - W to NW winds 5-15 knots.  There will be times with little or no wind and certainly fog is always a factor in these waters.

Friday – It's a bit distant in the forecast but it looks like gradients should increase for winds to 20 knots out of the NW on Friday.

Seas not exceeding 6' with wind waves 1-3 feet.

Brad

Weather Brief and boat locations August 25 sunday

Congratulations to all the boats who have made it safely to San Francisco!
Karl report:

Locations as I know them August 25  http://cohohoho.blogspot.com
sv Journey - in Port- Bodega Bay
sv Non Sequitur - in Port- Alemeda S.F.

sv Dawn Treader - in Port- Clipper Cove, S.F.

sv Unleashed - in Port- Berkeley Marina S.F.
sv Moments - left Newport yesterday, heading for Eureka
sv Ohana - 06:21 "Rounding Pt. Arena, 100nm N of S.F. entrance, calm flat seas.  should be there 0030 tonight

and now, Brads Weather Brief:

(Note: "It is highly recommended that you use multiple sources for weather. Shortened weather briefings may leave out important details. Mariners are responsible for his or her Vessel situation and crew.")

From: Brad Baker
Date: Sun, Aug 25, 2013 at 7:51 AM
Subject: August 25th weather

Well it's not the best weather window for those who plan to leave down the coast now.    That is unless you like beating in southerly winds sometime blowing in excess of 20 knots with lots of rain off and on.   The pattern looks to be surprisingly stable, with a trough and upper level low perched right off the Washington/Oregon Coast and high pressure in our nation's interior solidly entrenched blocking the low from moving inland, thus not allowing the pattern to change a whole heck of a lot at least for the next 5 days and probably beyond.   The forecast discussion from the National Weather Service says the various weather models are all in agreement on this pattern continuing, which usually means, that well, the pattern will continue.    It's hard to nail down specific times for when the short wave systems will pulse into our coastal waters, save what looks to be a fairly organized cold front that is on tap for Monday, most likely in the afternoon.   In the short term things look light and out of the North pretty much for the entire coast from Flattery to SF.   From approx. Cape Mendocino North, the gradients will turn more southerly sometime later today and it looks as though they will stay that way through my forecast period.    For the California waters South of Cape Mendocino gradients will be relatively light bringing light to moderate breeze mostly out of the N.

Cape Flattery to Cape Mendocino

Today – Light winds starting out of the N. 0 – 10 knots changing over to Southerly in the afternoon or evening to 15 knots.

Monday – A cold front is scheduled for your sailing pleasure with S winds changing to SW with frontal passage in the afternoon.  Wind speeds 10-25 knots with definitely the possibility of higher gusts.  And oh yes there will be rain.

Tues through Thurs - South winds ranging from 5 – 25, rain at times

Seas - Swell 3-5' wind waves 1-6' (depending on how much wind)

Cape Mendocino to San Francisco

Today through Thursday  - Light to moderate winds ranging from 0-20 knots.  The most wind will be as you get closer to SF and with the diurnal cycle it is possible there will be a few hours here and there in excess of that 20 knots.   So be prepared, but I think winds will be more on the light side.     It is possible the Southerlies will reach below Cape Mendocino at times (especially Monday).    You may find yourself beating in light to moderate southerlies if you are in the Northern portion of this forecast area.

Seas should be manageable with a swell 6' and under and wind waves to 1-4 feet.

Brad 

Weather Update Southern Oregon, and future weather reports

Hey Karl,

...Life gets hectic for me starting next week.  I'll continue with weather through Tuesday, after that it will likely be spotty for me and I may not get it done first thing in the morning.    It looks like the bulk of the boats will be in anyway.

I see that Moments left Newport and plans to hole up in Eureka.  The reality is the Southerlies won't blow there until Monday and they won't be all that strong anyway.  They might consider continuing on as the Trough and South winds may linger down that way for a few days North of Mendocino on Monday and beyond.  South of Mendocino the winds should be W to NW and in the light to moderate category.    It looks like the fleet had some winds close to 30 knots last night off Bodega Bay,  Over the next few days it is a lot LESS likely to kick up like that, so perhaps a good window for Moments?

Brad

Weather Brief and boat locations August 24, Saturday

Karl report:

Locations as I know them August 24  http://cohohoho.blogspot.com
sv Journey - in Bodega Bay "...after getting pretty beat up about sunset last night"
sv Non Sequitur - 09:48 Approaching Golden Gate Bridge, going to Alameda this evening

sv Dawn Treader - crossed under Golden Gate in the night, is now in Clipper Cove

sv Unleashed - in Port- Berkeley Marina S.F. "sailed under the golden gate bridge last night at 21:27 hrs"
sv Moments - 10:45 Leaving Newport for Eureka, where they will wait for low pressure to pass
sv Ohana - 07:20 22nm away from rounding Cape Mendocino, staying about 16nm off cape

and now, Brads Weather Brief:

(Note: "It is highly recommended that you use multiple sources for weather. Shortened weather briefings may leave out important details. Mariners are responsible for his or her Vessel situation and crew.")

From: Brad Baker
Date: Sat, Aug 24, 2013 at 9:02 AM
Subject: August 24 weather

The overall pattern remains the same with differences in the fine details the models are putting out.   I'm beginning to sound like a broken record.    The model and the National Weather Service forecasters have flip flopped on wind direction for the Oregon and Washington Coast in the short term and now show some lighter NW or W winds perhaps today and into tomorrow, but are more aggressive with a system moving in on Monday with Moderate to the low end of heavy South winds extending all the way down to Cape Mendocino.   If this comes to pass this system will affect pressure gradients south Of Mendocino making for lighter NW winds than previously forecast early next week.     The forecasters don't have a lot of confidence in the long term, my best guess is the trough off the coast will stay put well into next week bringing variations on South winds and rain at times maybe all the way to Friday for CA/OR border Northward.   With the exception of Monday the prevailing winds should remain out of the NW from the Oregon/California Border South.  But these winds will remain in the Light to Moderate Category.

Cape Flattery to CA/OR border

Today – Pretty light, perhaps starting out of SW and shifting to W or Even North.  Wind speeds 0-15

Sunday – Gradients go pretty light, models show winds shifting back to a more southerly direction.  This transition will happen from N to S with Southerlies starting perhaps in the Morning off Washington, but not shifting to South until late in the evening nearer the CA/OR border.

Monday – South winds 5-20 with gusts to 25 knots.  Winds will start lighter, building throughout the day. The timing could change on this but currently the model has frontal passage late Monday night.  Rain

Tuesday & Wednesday - South winds 5-15 knots.

Seas – swell to 5 feet, wind waves to 0-5 feet

CA/OR border to San Francisco

Today & Sunday – NW winds 10-20

Monday – South winds to 15 North of Cape Mendocino otherwise NW winds 5-15 (perhaps higher near SF)

Tuesday & Wednesday NW winds 5-20, more wind the further South you are.

Seas – Swell to 2-5 feet, wind waves to 4 feet

Brad