Alaska 2007

Dora~Jean · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:09 pm Post subject:

Good point Joe (Sea Wolf), shows how much I've studied so far. Embarassed

Bill/El did say most of the cities have no land highways to them.

Once we make our decision on destination, route and time factors, would love to join others for sure, safety in numbers if nothing else, or just to have a nice day/evening together.

thataway · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:34 pm Post subject:

I have always carried a small portable generator--still have an 500 watt Honda --enough to run a small battery charger. I would consider a generator--but might put it behind the radar in priority.

As for the run between Ketetchan and Prince Rupert--it is an easy day's run in a C Dory (about 80 miles), if you want--but there are several nice anchorages along the way. (we did it in two days in a 7 knot sailboat). You can also trailer to Stewart B C/ Hyder AK via the Cassier Hwy and Rt 37A This route is about the same length on land as to Prince Rupert (but Cassier Hwy is gravel and I am not keen on towing the C dory on a gravel road). The route by water from Hyder to Ketetechan still has to go into the channel of Dixon entrance (but further up and you can skirt the edge... I don't see any real advantage.) The ferry trip to Ketetchan is expensive and you miss some interesting cruising--especially if you want to take some detours on the way.

We would run to Dundas Island--have taken the Metlakatla passage or back exit from Prince Rupert, even in the fog with 6' draft (at a rising tide) and then to Foggy Bay in Alaska. Worse case you might have to wait for a weather window.

Bob Austin

Hunkydory · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 5:11 pm Post subject:

Bob

Agree there isn't any advantage trailering and taking the Cassier Hwy to Stewart BC / Hyder AK route, but the last time We went there in 2002 it was paved and a decent road the whole way. On the Cassier Hwy north of the turn off to Stewart and Hyder the road does deteriorate and there are still 20+ mile sections that are unpaved. We have trailered the Hunkydory over the Cassier Hwy twice and the second time had a bra installed over the front of the boat from the anchor down and a covering over the front windows. Did get some chip damage the 1st trip none the second.

Jay

Gene Morris · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 8:46 pm Post subject:

Steve, Gene and I are making the voyage north the first 3 weeks in June. We live in Eureka (Northern most CA). We thought about towing our TC255 to Prince Rupert then heading to Ketchikan and Prince of Wales Island. I have only 3 weeks vacation also. We decided to launch in Anacortes or Bellingham WA then cruise north. We would rather spend the extra time on the water then towing the boat. It is a long drive to Prince Rupert and we would miss the coast of BC. The drive from Eureka to PR takes 4 days. That's 8 days on land round trip. We can get to Bellingham in 2 days. More time on the water and some beautiful crusing. Ask yourself if you want to be on the road or the water.
We would enjoy meeting up with you and your son if it works out. We will be in touch.
Margaret

Doryman · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:36 pm Post subject:

Let us know when you are planning to arrive in Anacortes or Bellingham, as there are quite a few of us Brats in the area and we could give you an escort to the Canadian border! Laughing

Warren

Dora~Jean · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:36 pm Post subject:

Wow, lots of planning to do. Canadian visa/passport needed? One of my son's goals on this trip is to travel the Alaskan Highway (land), he's read quite a bit about it and wants to experience it. Hmmm, I believe it starts just outside of Washington...maybe a few miles (without a bra on the boat) then back and launch might do it???

Still riding the fence on the choices, thanks for the offer Margaret, our trip times may not line up though, my son doesn't graduate until June 14th I believe, so wouldn't hit the road till the 15th or 16th at earliest.

El and Bill · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:46 pm Post subject:

Margaret and Gene -- wise choice -- on the water rather than on the road. The BC coastal cruise is marvelous.

We understand the allure of the Alaska Highway, Steve, but it's a long, long drive -- if you are literally going to drive the Alaska highway -- I presume to Skagway or thereabouts. The drive to Prince Rupert is long enough, and you still aren't in Alaska. Maybe either do the boat cruise north in BC or the drive to Alaska sans boat, if you only have three weeks.

Gene Morris · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:21 am Post subject:

Warren, Thanks for the escort offer. I see the potential for a mini c-brat gathering. We will keep you posted on our itinerary.

Steve, I have made the trip from CA to Prince Rupert 3x's. It is a long trip and you still aren't anywhere. Yes it is beautiful but nothing like being on the boat. Each time, I have returned VIA the Alaska ferry. Much better on the water. You have your own wonderful cruising vessel that would be happier on the water then being towed. (And you can fish anytime you want!!!!) We have applied for our passports. I would suggest you do that also, as soon it will be required. Enjoy making your plans. That's part of the fun of a trip like this. So many options!

Margaret

Pat Anderson · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 3:46 pm Post subject:

Yeah, one or more mini-CBGTs! Everyone please put up your departure dates and routes, it is a quick run for us from Blaine over to the Gulf Islands. Aim to be passing by on a Saturday, and we'll come out and cruise for the weekend.

Comment on crossing the US / Canadian border - get the passport now, don't fool around. It isn't the Canadians who care so much, it is our own CBP (Customs and Border Protection, the former US Customs Service and Border Patrol, combined in a single agency), a passport just makes it easier all the way around.

Knotty C · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:44 pm Post subject:

It sounds like we're going to miss just about all the other boats going up this year. We won't be leaving until the second week of July. We do have five weeks, though. We're plotting our course now and will post our itinerary before we go just in case there will be other boats in the area at that time.

We are getting ready to apply for our passports, however, we discovered an error on Don's birth certificate that needs to be fixed before he can get his (we think). However, I did check and Passports are not required this year if you are entering by boat or car. That will happen in 2008.

Here's hoping we'll bump into someone up there.

Dee

thataway · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:15 pm Post subject:

Jay,
Thanks for the refresher on the Cassier HWY, it was 11 years since we came back that way. I remember it was paved in the Stewart/Hyder area and probably was back to the Junction to PR. We did the "ALCAN" which starts in Dawson Creek BC and we detoured at Whitehorse to go to Dawson City via Klondike HWY, across the Yukon on the ferry (with the big RV) on the Top of the World Hwy and then to Tok and Fairbanks. The Alcan goes directly (sort of) from Dawson Creek to Delta Junction.

There is wonderful boating in BC; for us it gets a bit more crowded than we like in the middle of the summer, and we really love the wildness of parts of Alaska. Not to diminish BC--and if we find time is more restricted may just do parts of BC again. Although the drive to PR is fairly long, it is much cheaper and faster to drive there than to take the boat to the Alaskian border on its own bottom. We haven't tried a C Dory on the ferry, but we had a RV plus a 14 foot skiff and it was a pain getting on and off the ferry. That particular didn't have a camera and I could not see the boat--A Tom Cat plus a truck will get up around 55 feet.

Bob Austin

Steve Grover · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:44 pm Post subject: alaska in June

My name is Steve, also. I have a C-dory 16. I have book ferry transport for my Dodge 4x4,pop up camper, boat and trailer, 40' from Prince Rupert to Ketchikan and from Ketchikan to Hollis on Prince of Wales Isl. My dept. date from PR is June 15,. My dept date back is July 15 from Prince of Wales. I went to the Sacremento Cal. Sportsmen Expo. last weekend and connected with 5 Lodges on Prince of Wales to find out what I was up against. I checked on fuel, fishing and distances by boat. What to expect as far as weather. I'm looking forward to a really special C-Dory experience. Hope to see others up there.

El and Bill · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:08 am Post subject:

Bob --
Agree that southern BC can be a bit crowded, relative to Alaska, in summer. There is, however, Hildebrandt's Law that states that "the number of people decrease with the square of the distance from a black top road". On the water, there's El's Law -- "the number of boats decrease to the square of the distance from the nearest marina" -- we found that there are few boats anytime north of Cape Caution and that the farther you go into the fiords away from the red-line main route north, the fewer the boats until you are on water as remote from other boats as most parts of SE Alaska.

Steve -- you'll sure enjoy the far side of Prince of Wales -- lots of otters, whales, puffins and beautiful water. Sounds like a great trip coming up for you.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:10 am Post subject:

Yes, after rounding Cape Caution, the other pleasure craft you see REALLY thin out! There are spots where you will see a few, around Shearwater for example, but mostly, it is just scenic solitary cruising. Around Behm Canal, I think the only other boats we saw were little Boston Whalers zooming out from the fishing resorts.

Dora~Jean · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:15 pm Post subject:

Those that know me know that I don't shy away from an adventure. I've had many boating adventures, some planned, some unplanned. I'm still bent on making this trip happen though, just getting a bit of 'cold feet' trying to absorb all the cautions and preparations necessary.

Along with a set of Charlies Charts, Blue Charts for my Garmin 188 w/sounder (and accurate tidal data), handheld GPS, a good heater, backups for just about everything (which I have), my biggest worry is going into waters I've never been on without another boater with local knowledge.

I'll gladly align my summer voyage with 1 or more others that have done the trip from Washington north (to BC coast) or from Prince Rupert north and around. Have any of the boaters going this year done this before?