When the winds are light going down the north Pacific coast you don't need a harbor. When the winds are high and you need a harbor of refuge, the harbors are closed. Is that nature's catch 22 or what. On the other hand, 20ft breaking waves would be way above my pay grade. About four years ago we motored Lilliana south from Neah Bay (Washingtoin), going to Mexico. The winds were high and the harbors couldn't be entered so we had to go non stop to San Francisco. Almost five days without a rest. Fortunately the wind was from the north and our paravanes did not fail us. Back in the 1950s, Edward Teller promoted the idea of using H bombs to blast harbors along the coast. We sure could use a few between Washingtom and San Francisco. One every 50 miles would be perfect. Too bad the nuclear test ban treaty killed the idea. Richard P