saltspringer
Member
can anyone tell me when the wind starts to drop in the evenings to return to Port Alberni before dark? Thanks , Saltspringer
Aalberni Canal winds
- Thread starter saltspringer
- Start date
Sharphooks
Well-Known Member
hey Saltspringer
I suspect nobody responded to your post because, with all due respects, your questions is a bit like asking what is the best time of the day to catch a salmon. It depends.
I did the trip from Pt. Alberni to Bamfield and back again in June. I was warned by a guy who lives in Bamfield to do the trip early morning, both coming and going, because early morning is the most consistent time of the day to have glassy running conditions. He was right.
The evening I rolled in to Port Alberni (about 5 PM) the wind was absolutely howling. I saw one of those big orange amphibious planes trying to land in the Inlet and it was literally hanging suspended in mid flight fighting that wind. I decided to stay at a campground that night. The run to Bamfield the next morning was a piece of cake.
If you have an offshore blow in the afternoon combined with heat convection, Alberni Inlet is the nozzle where it will all gets squirted through. So.....
If you wanted to work out the statistical probabilities of what time of the day to run the Inlet with the best weather conditions, my guess is early morning would trump the afternoon because the heat convection part of the equation is minimized.
If I'm all wet on this one, someone please chime in. Otherwise, good luck
I suspect nobody responded to your post because, with all due respects, your questions is a bit like asking what is the best time of the day to catch a salmon. It depends.
I did the trip from Pt. Alberni to Bamfield and back again in June. I was warned by a guy who lives in Bamfield to do the trip early morning, both coming and going, because early morning is the most consistent time of the day to have glassy running conditions. He was right.
The evening I rolled in to Port Alberni (about 5 PM) the wind was absolutely howling. I saw one of those big orange amphibious planes trying to land in the Inlet and it was literally hanging suspended in mid flight fighting that wind. I decided to stay at a campground that night. The run to Bamfield the next morning was a piece of cake.
If you have an offshore blow in the afternoon combined with heat convection, Alberni Inlet is the nozzle where it will all gets squirted through. So.....
If you wanted to work out the statistical probabilities of what time of the day to run the Inlet with the best weather conditions, my guess is early morning would trump the afternoon because the heat convection part of the equation is minimized.
If I'm all wet on this one, someone please chime in. Otherwise, good luck
A
AlberniPlugger
Guest
To be honest, the best time is probably around 7-10. Sometimes before 7 the wind will be blowing and you will also have waves from other boats messing you up. If it's after 10 you will get a strong southern wind "funnelling" from the outside. If you get lucky and leave or come back when there is a northern wind, you will have nothing to worry about and it should he flat calm.
Another point if intrest is going to be the little sections of the inlet where it can get noticably rougher or calmer. The harbour and Nahmint are hell to go through anytime the wind is blowing, the Alberni side of lonetree will pick up and you can get tossed around a bit there because of the wall on one side and the beach on the other. Like the alberni side of lonetree, the Alberni side before heading into Nahmint can also be sketchy at times.
How big of a boat are you going in? Because lots of times if you can run into a little cove and get a bit of shelter the wind normally dies down at dusk.
Another point if intrest is going to be the little sections of the inlet where it can get noticably rougher or calmer. The harbour and Nahmint are hell to go through anytime the wind is blowing, the Alberni side of lonetree will pick up and you can get tossed around a bit there because of the wall on one side and the beach on the other. Like the alberni side of lonetree, the Alberni side before heading into Nahmint can also be sketchy at times.
How big of a boat are you going in? Because lots of times if you can run into a little cove and get a bit of shelter the wind normally dies down at dusk.
saltspringer
Member
I've got a 22footer and know that early morning is best as i've run it many times but was thinking of fishing one more day and running back in around 6 or 7 in the evening. I could always stay over another night and come in early in the mornong. Just tring to save another nights lodging. El cheapo, thats me! Saltspringer
Degree of Freedom
Active Member
I come home in the afternoon during the worst of it on every trip...you're running with the waves and it is a pretty easy ride. Every once in a while you'll come off the top of a random 6 footer around Nahmint and take some water over the windshield, but not a big deal in a 22 footer.
I definitely don't recommend heading out from Alberni in the afternoons as although I wouldn't consider it dangerous...you take a serious butt pounding!
although the water conditions themselves may not be dangerous the deadheads are! Keep all eyes looking forward.
I definitely don't recommend heading out from Alberni in the afternoons as although I wouldn't consider it dangerous...you take a serious butt pounding!
although the water conditions themselves may not be dangerous the deadheads are! Keep all eyes looking forward.
A
AlberniPlugger
Guest
With a 22 footer you should have no troubles coming back.
But as degree said, those deadheads are pretty dirty through that chop. I haven't been out recently with what the debris is like but it should be clear.
Be safe and have fun
But as degree said, those deadheads are pretty dirty through that chop. I haven't been out recently with what the debris is like but it should be clear.
Be safe and have fun
