River tips?

[75kona]

Taking my CV23 on the Columbia River in Washington State next weekend was was looking for some tips. I have never operated a boat on the river before. Any advice would be much appreciated!

[75starflight]

Couple of questions for you.

Is the River channelized?

If so is the channel marked by bouys or way points?

if bouys always remember Red Right Return - When traveling up stream always travel with the Red bouys on your Right.

If way point there will be one way points on both sides of the channel. make sure you always align the bow of your boat with the way point to ensure you are in the channel.

Also, both bouys and way points can both exist on a channel. so you can follow either. but remember the red right return.

[Plugcheck]

I've driven that route Portland to Hinkle numerous times, but never drove a watercraft on the Columbia.  My advice would be to do a little research on the regulations in that area, and consider an app like Navionics to provide some got enabled guidance.   Certain dates/times may favor reduced barge traffic.  Plan your route, do you plan to lock through?  Be prepared, have the safety gear, and plan a safe trip.  Good luck

[75kona]

Couple of questions for you.

Is the River channelized?

If so is the channel marked by bouys or way points?

if bouys always remember Red Right Return - When traveling up stream always travel with the Red bouys on your Right.

If way point there will be one way points on both sides of the channel. make sure you always align the bow of your boat with the way point to ensure you are in the channel.

Also, both bouys and way points can both exist on a channel. so you can follow either. but remember the red right return.

I am so New to boating that I had to research your terminology. Supposedly the river maintains a minimum depth of 14th to allow barges to pass. I have attached a picture of the area. I cannot find anything about bouys but I will be sure to head your advice if I come across them.

[75kona]

I've driven that route Portland to Hinkle numerous times, but never drove a watercraft on the Columbia.  My advice would be to do a little research on the regulations in that area, and consider an app like Navionics to provide some got enabled guidance.   Certain dates/times may favor reduced barge traffic.  Plan your route, do you plan to lock through?  Be prepared, have the safety gear, and plan a safe trip.  Good luck

Thanks for the Tip. It appears there is a dam 10 miles or so north of my position and one 20 miles or so south of my position. Neither appear to have locks, so I am confused as to how barge traffic would get through. But perhaps I am missing something.

[75kona]

In my research I can only find Nautical Charts as inland as Richland, which is where the river turns mostly North. They just seem to stop there. I am thinking that the rest of the river is not traveled enough commercially to warrant that information. Thinking I will be good! Thanks guys

[Plugcheck]

consider an app like Navionics to provide some got enabled guidance. 

.     That was supposed to say GPS enabled.  Those navigation apps will show just where you need to be, and more importantly, where not to be.  The maps are compiled from the government navigation maps, so they are more accurate than the bouys sometimes(barges sometimes move them)

[Jason]

That looks like a huge river. Should be fine. Just know where the shallow spots are as the channel does not always make sense and you can find yourself on a rock pile pretty quick. If you found charts that would be very helpful. Navionics has a great app for your phone with maps.

Looks like it will be a fun ride! Beautiful area.

[75kona]

I downloaded that app that was suggested. Wow its detailed! thanks guys

[Jason]

Navionics is awesome! You could pretty much navigate your boat using only that if it wasn't for other watercrafts on the water! If there are channel markers on a river it will show those. I used it once renting a boat in the backwaters of Florida and it would even adjust the water levels based on where the tide was at. Would also show arrows in the direction of the tide! it's also nice for logging trips, max speed, total distance, etc. I love it. Have fun!