Crossing the Tillamook Bay Bar
Tillamook is the poor stepchild of Oregon ports. The bar hasn't been dredged in many years. The jetties used to be longer, but storms have demolished the ends, and the wreckage of the jetties still remains as an underwater hazard extending several hundred feet from the present jetty tips.
Once the swell reaches 5 feet there's a very good chance the bar will be closed on ebb tides. At 6 feet and and above, the bar will probably be closed on all stages of tide.
The logical straight-line path out to sea from the jetties will take you over the dread middle grounds. It's shallow there, and not at all safe to cross. I avoid the area even on dead flat days.
Get the free Tillamook Bar Crossing Guide put out by the Marine Board and Coast Guard.
For the last few years, the North Hole has been the preferred exit. Head out past the jetties toward the red bouy a few hundred yards out. Just before you reach the buoy, turn sharply north. But don't cut the corner and run over the submerged wreckage of the jetty. It's all shown on the aforementioned Bar Crossing Guide.
The Coast Guard has two 47 foot Motor Lifeboats and a watch tower. Don't hesitate to call them on VHF 16 to ask advice about crossing inbound.
The current regularly sweeps crab traps out to sea, so beware of traps in the channel
Stay in the marked channel all the way from the ramp to the ocean, lest you cut a corner and join the many, many captains who have hit the submerged rocks.
The red and green piling-mounted channel markers are great for teaching your crew about the red-right-returning rule
It appears that the south jetty is actually being repaired in 2024!
Tillamook is historically a pretty good tuna port
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