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Typical Sailing on the Columbia River in the Portland Area:

Close-hauled into a typical summer afternoon northwest wind. (The "close-haul" point of sail is sailing as close into the wind as possible. This is the most exciting point of sail with the maximum heeling.)

Close-hauled into a December east wind, cold and gusty conditions.

Tacking--my crew tacks the June Bug in a nice wind ("Tacking" refers to turning the boat so the wind comes from the other side.)

Broad reaching, view looking down-river. (A "broad-reach" is sailing with the wind coming from somewhat off of the stern. It is a fast, but easy, point of sail.)

Broad reaching, another view.

June Bug meets the Queen of the West at sunset (animated gif).

Sailing in Strong Conditions:

Crossing the Columbia River Bar in boisterous conditions.

Crossing the Columbia River Bar, cameraman gets knocked down.

Gale force winds in December, Columbia River, Portland area, video shows an annimated crew enjoying a bouncy, wet ride.

Gale force winds in December, Columbia River, Portland area, side view showing toerail going into the water.

Gale force winds in December, Columbia River, Portland area, holding on and yeehawing with PDX in background.

Motorsailing into 30 knot winds off the Washington coast.

Hamming it up, single-handling with a reefed main, east of Astoria.

A bouncy, wet ride, beating into strong wind and chop, approaching the Cathlamet Channel.

Winsurfers surround us, apparent wind gusting to 35, running under storm jib west of Hood River.

A barge pounding into the waves passes us on the starboard.

Sailing in high winds with my "Little Brother" Cody, accompanied by my friend Howard (also a Big Brother) with his Little Brother Travon.

VHF radio bar warning, waiting off the Columbia River Bar entrance for the ebb tide to slacken.

Approaching the Columbia River Bar after a tiring offshore passage and an electrical storm off the bar entrance.

Waves, some breaking, on the Columbia River Bar.

Miscellaneous Sailing Video:

The "butt check" method of holding the tiller when single-handling.

Crew and captain laugh about getting wet, after beating into a cold December east wind.

A big container ship instills fear in the June Bug's crew.

Broad reaching, view looking down from the bow.