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2007 Alaska northern inland passage wilderness cruise
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JamesTXSD



Joined: 01 Mar 2005
Posts: 7444
City/Region: from island boy to desert dweller
State or Province: AZ
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: "Wild Blue" (sold 9/14)
Photos: Wild Blue
PostPosted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

VERY COOL! We enjoyed the photos and trip log; sorry to hear about the motor problems. Thank you for sharing your trip with us.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

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Jim & Joan
CD-25 "Wild Blue" (sold August 2014)
http://captnjim.blogspot.com/

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oldgrowth



Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 2196
City/Region: Rochester
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2002
C-Dory Model: 16 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Voyager
Photos: C-Voyager
PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 2:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jay & Jolee - if you ever pass through the Northwest again on one of your adventures, please let me know. I would consider it a privilege to meet the two of you, even if we only had time for a cup of coffee together.

Rochester is only about 70 miles NW of Amboy as the crow flies.

________
Dave
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Hunkydory



Joined: 28 Mar 2005
Posts: 2652
City/Region: Cokeville, Wyoming
State or Province: WY
C-Dory Year: 2000
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Hunkydory
Photos: Hunkydory-Jay-and-Jolee
PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

An update on our motor and trailer troubles.

The charge coil burning out again was due to me connecting both batteries to cabin power, so we could up the voltage for the wallas stove. If the twin motor rpm isn't in sync the alternator output varies and can take out the charge coil. Should have learned this lesson in 2004 when it burned out the first time.

Thought the fuel in oil crankcase to be a major problem. Drained out 3.5 quarts of oil and gas where there should have been only 2 quarts. And had to have ran it several days as it was filling with gas. These Honda's don't burn oil, so I don't normally check them every day. The problem motor is actually the strongest of the two. It would run 5500 at max rpm compared to 5300 rpm on the other. I had just tested this again the day before noticing the gas in oil.

Stopped at the Honda dealership in Whitehorse, Yukon and they told me I had probably seriously damaged the motor with that much gas in the oil and the cause was most likely a sticking float needle valve in one of the carburetors. Bought a needle valve for $38, thinking I would install it upon returning home.

Called EQ for there input following arrival home and they said gas in the oil on the Honda 40 would be caused by only two things. Fuel pump o ring and stuck thermostat. Also they doubted there was any damage to the motor. Fired up the motor and the pee water doesn't heat up, so hopefully its the thermostat. Ordered one, but haven't had time to install.

Concerning the EZ loader trailer. The roller support arms that broke were the two outside 2nd back from the front. Don't know for sure when the first one broke, but I think I would have noticed it before loading the boat. The 2nd one broke when making a sharp U turn in Skagway. The trailer brakes locked up while making the turn and I was blocking traffic where the buses needed to go to pick up passengers for the Whitehorse Railroad, so I drug it forward in a tight turn to get clear. Shortly after that a kid came up and handed the broke off roller to me and said it came off our trailer.

Have installed another bow roller support like Dave installed on His C-Voyager. Also am installing another set of arms and rollers in the front. This area always did seem on the weak side to me. Will feel much better on our next trip north with these additions. The roads between here and there will sure seek out any weak spots if there.

Thanks again to all who made those Thumbs Up comments and Steve and Colleen its sure good to know that you are there and willing to give support if needed. Hope next time its just another good visit or maybe even an outing.

And Dave the privilege would be ours.

Jay

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Jay and Jolee 2000 22 CD cruiser Hunkydory
I will not waste my days in trying to prolong them------Jack London
https://share.delorme.com/JuliusByers
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SeaSpray



Joined: 12 Mar 2004
Posts: 1006
City/Region: Brentwood, CA
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2004
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SeaSpray
Photos: SeaSpray
PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Jay,

Great write-up and pictures!

Could you provide more information on how you towed the Mokia? I have towed a few dingys and have had problems when it got rough. How did you keep from getting water in the kayak? Did you have any problems with jerking when in large waves and the kayak was out of sync with the C-Dory?

Could you tow at any speed?

The Mokia sure looks like fun but not sure how much it would complicate cruising.

Thanks,
Steve
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Lee



Joined: 05 Oct 2006
Posts: 15
City/Region: Juneau
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 1992
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Hunter
Photos: C-Hunter
PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 2:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great story and photos! I too am curious about the mokai, not so much about towing but more regarding your impressions of it after putting it to good use on the trip. Did it work out like you expected?
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ffheap



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 733
City/Region: Hingham
State or Province: MA
C-Dory Year: 1983
C-Dory Model: 22 Angler
Vessel Name: Inn-The-Water
Photos: Inn-The-Water
PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry about your problems at the end of your trip. Thank you for your story and pictures. Stuff like this keeps the dream alive.

Fred

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Hunkydory



Joined: 28 Mar 2005
Posts: 2652
City/Region: Cokeville, Wyoming
State or Province: WY
C-Dory Year: 2000
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Hunkydory
Photos: Hunkydory-Jay-and-Jolee
PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Steve and Lee

Haven't said much about the mokai due to I think most here are more interested in the c-dory aspect of the trip. Being as you asked--- I'll let her rip.

We couldn't have been more pleased with the mokai in every way. For the type of trip we made where the main object was exploring remote inlets and bays and the rivers that feed them the combination of the c-dory and mokai was perfect. Its really made for one person but two can make do especially for going to shore and short forays of an hour or so.

It comes with a quick removing cover that we add a couple bungee's to, that makes it pretty well water proof. We tow with a floating polyurethane rope 30' long that is attached to a rope with a loop tied between the top cabin hand rails in the rear where it meets the cockpit. This kept the bow of the mokai up even in the worst of condition. I wasn't exaggerating about the conditions on the Lynn Canal on the first day out with the boat. This is the first time we have turned around due to conditions being so bad that that we feared for our safety. When making the turn I didn't even think about whether we would lose the mokai or not. All thoughts and priority was just making the turn without getting rolled or swamped. Would have loved to get video or photos of these conditions. In comparison if you have watched the Fords Terror Video you will observe the filming never quit. Well the mokai survived even though Jo-Lee said she could see it suspended in the air and other times totally disappear. That was the end of our concerns on weather and conditions at least with the mokai.

Have to slow down some in short choppy waves or the mokai would go airborne on them. Of course in these conditions you are happy to slow the c-dory down anyway even with the trim tabs fully down.

Have been used to especially in the past to the c-dory drawing a crowd. Well it never drew them like the mokai. It was an endless what is that?? Does it have a motor? Is it jet powered? How shallow will it go? Man I got to get one!! When I would take it for a cruise around the docks people would wave and give the Thumbs Up especially the crews on the fishing boats.

I tow it with the motor and fuel tank left in this keeps the center of gravity low and provides a little more weight to prevent wind interference. It weighs 100 lbs with out fuel and motor and 150 lbs with.

For us it was the perfect addition to the c-dory and much better than a dingy. For those with more people aboard or pet owners it wouldn't be so good or they might consider what we are thinking about for the future and that's our dingy back on top with a torgeedo motor along with the mokai. Now that combination would be hard to beat. The cost factor might just keep this in the consideration phase.

Jay
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John S



Joined: 06 Jul 2006
Posts: 277
City/Region: Sterling
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 2000
C-Dory Model: 24 Tomcat
Vessel Name: TomCat
Photos: TomCat
PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 1:47 pm    Post subject: Inside Passage Advice Reply with quote

Jay and Jolee

I enjoyed reading your Northern Inside Passage journal. We are planning
on trailering our boat from our home on the Kenai Peninsula, south of Anchorage to Haines early next June and spending 2 1/2 to 3 weeks in the Northern inside passage.

I was hoping you might be able to help me with some more info.
Would you mind sharing your original trip routing plan with me??? (before the trips to Juneau for GPS and camcorder shopping and the early pull out of the boat for the engine problem)

Could you tell me why you guys decided to avoid jumping thru the hoops for Glacier National Park? I talked to the ranger last week who guards the entrance letting only 25 boats a day thru. It sounds like a pain, but it sounds possible to get a permit.

Did you guys fish, crab, or shrimp along the way at all??

You obviously used the Douglas book extensively, is there any other book you would highly recommend for this trip?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

_________________
John
2000 TomCat 24
BF90 Hondas
www.AlaskaAdventureJournal.com
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Hunkydory



Joined: 28 Mar 2005
Posts: 2652
City/Region: Cokeville, Wyoming
State or Province: WY
C-Dory Year: 2000
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Hunkydory
Photos: Hunkydory-Jay-and-Jolee
PostPosted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 1:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

John

Will do our best to answer your questions and pleased to help in any way. There have been several other C-Brats that have cruised in this area and maybe they will chime in added or maybe even better information. Personally I wished more would have shared there trips with us here.

Our original trip plan was not much different than the one we made. Changes were due to weather, motor, wallas stove, and garmin gps + nobletech software navigational problems and the desire to stay away from the more populated areas even more than pre-planned. There were times when both navigational systems wouldn't work fortunately never at the same time. Had originally planned on going to Dundas Bay in Glacier Bay National Park before the Pelican area. Weather prevented that. In fact weather was the major concern in the whole Cross Sound, Chichagof Island west coast areas. Gales were constantly coming through with very little time in between. Don't know if this is a normal late May early June thing or not. From the weather reports we listened to these gales didn't effect the more inland sections such as the channel waters around Admiralty Island near as much. From Pelican we had planned on continuing down the west coast of Chichagof Island to Sitka and then out through Peril Strait to Frederick Sound. Finding the more isolated northern section of the west coast of Chichagof Island, Pelican-Elfin Cove area more to our liking and still wanting to see Dundas Bay and the more northern sections of Chatham Strait changed our plans. The run to Juneau didn't change any of our original plans only added to the miles because we came back and ran our original routes only in different directions. In case of bad weather we had planned on being back in the Lynn Canal area those last 6 days, so the motor and wallas stove problems didn't really change any routes just prevented some relaxing exploring and maybe fishing in that area.

There were several reasons for not visiting the main controlled section of Glacier Bay with jumping through hoops actually being somewhat low on the list. We had already been in and around several tide water glaziers and the beauty and freedom to do your own thing in the Tracy Arm, Sawyer Glaciers would be awfully hard to beat. We have questioned many people who have been to Glacier Bay in small boats, trawlers, and Yachts with most of these being disappointed in the lack of access to areas they had wanted to see and other restrictions encountered. There is a restriction on the number of small private boats, but there are many large passenger paying ships and charters in the bay. But for us mainly its just the restrictions and someone watching over your shoulder. We make these trips to challenge our abilities to cope with what ever comes up added to the solitude and uniqueness of the people and communities in the Northern Inland Channel and Glacier Bay National Park just doesn't fit into this for us. To each there own and with the number of boats in the waiting list and many who do go back it may well be worth the seeing for you.

We don't crab or shrimp and fish only rarely. Our thing is mainly exploring, wildlife watching and trying to meet our own personal challenges.

Along with the Douglas book we recommend the Marine Atlas, Volume 2. Port Hardy to Skagway and the route planning map "The Inland Passage" Northern Portion, Published by FineEdge. com Anacortes, WA. You will see The Inside Passage map hanging up in lodges ect. in every town. We bought both the Map and Marine Atlas on previous trips to this area. Maybe one of the C-Brats knows and can let you know now where they can be purchased on the internet.

One other thing as we stated on El and Bills thread Halcyon Days we have no Alaska trip at this time planned for this year or for that matter the next two. Hope to make a full summer trip in 2010 following retirement that spring. Was great making the three cruises with the c-dory and our other adventures in the north lands thus far and if we had it to do over wouldn't have missed a one. The reason for waiting untill retirement for the next one is not due to hazards encountered or losses suffered, but rather the anxiety brought on by knowing we have to return to work by a specific date with a very unforgiving employer and all the many things that could prevent it. When we first started considering cruising the northern sections of the Inland Passage we bought the Douglass-Hemingway cruising guide and picked out all our must see areas. Believe it not we have accomplished this knowing of course in a lifetime you couldn't see all of the inlets, bays, ect. Having accomplished the must sees really helps us to wait, so we can do a much more relaxed slow and even more enjoyable future cruise.

Don't know what your previous experience is in making this kind of cruise. On our first in this area we had basically none and only the forgiveness built into the c-dory boat and our innate ability to get out of situations we found ourselves in and considerable luck prevented disaster. If needed would provide a list of some of what we would consider to be the must haves on making a wilderness cruise like this.

Sure hope this helps in making plans and if our answering any of your questions steers up more please don't hesitate to ask.

Jay
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John S



Joined: 06 Jul 2006
Posts: 277
City/Region: Sterling
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 2000
C-Dory Model: 24 Tomcat
Vessel Name: TomCat
Photos: TomCat
PostPosted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 1:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jay,

Thanks much for all the additional info. I will modify my book list to add the coast pilot. Our extended cruising experience has mainly been in Prince William Sound, where we have left the port of Whittier and not returned until 8 days later, living off the boat the whole time and sucking down drums of fuel on the rear deck.

I would certainly be interested in your list of recommended items to compare with our checklist. I certainly want to be prepared for this trip. Thanks again for taking the time to reply.
John
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Hunkydory



Joined: 28 Mar 2005
Posts: 2652
City/Region: Cokeville, Wyoming
State or Province: WY
C-Dory Year: 2000
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Hunkydory
Photos: Hunkydory-Jay-and-Jolee
PostPosted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 6:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

All

I've inserted one to seven minute length video's to the dialogue and photos in parts 1 through 4 of this travelogue. This was done so you could see where the video fit into the cruise and back up the storyline and photos. Like just how much did you think I was exaggerating the extent and conditions on this cruise. There is no video of the worst conditions we encountered because we were to occupied during those times, but I think you will find some of it pretty interesting even in this poor quality format. Don't know how to make it any better on line.

You will probably need DSL or better to view.

If they add to the travelogue of the cruise let me know. If so I will take the time to add more to the rest of the travelogue or I could just combine all the video shorts to one spot for easier access.

Jay
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El and Bill



Joined: 08 Nov 2003
Posts: 3200
City/Region: Lakewood, CO
State or Province: CO
C-Dory Year: 2000
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Halcyon
Photos: Halcyon
PostPosted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 10:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jay and Jolee --
We have just returned from vacation time with family, logged on to the site, found your post about the videos -- and WOW -- have you kept us glued to the computer. Your photographs are marvelous, but the videos put a viewer directly in the cabin with you two -- thanks for the time and effort to post them up for all to view. What a great experience and you shared it with us all and we sure appreciate it.
Trust you had a great holiday and best wishes to you both.

_________________
El and Bill (former live-aboards)
Halcyon 2000 CD 22 Bought 2000 Sold 2012
http://cruisingamerica-halcyondays.com/
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Hunkydory



Joined: 28 Mar 2005
Posts: 2652
City/Region: Cokeville, Wyoming
State or Province: WY
C-Dory Year: 2000
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Hunkydory
Photos: Hunkydory-Jay-and-Jolee
PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

All or at least those whom may be interested

I added a one and a half minute video to Part 4 Travelogue date 6-6-07 which shows us checking ocean conditions the evening before exiting Pass and Dry Pass when it was dry. The weather report was calling the seas 8 feet when we went out to check. This video has a link to another video directly below it that shows us exiting Dry Pass in very poor visibility conditions the following morning.

Mirror Harbor entrance video is located Travelogue Part 2 date 6-1-07.

I was rather surprised that only 17 c-brats or c-brat visitors out of the over 500 who viewed my last post saying they were available actually viewed the Exiting and entering of Mirror Harbor and the exiting of Dry Pass video. Dry Pass and the Mirror Harbor entrance are two of the most challenging places to maneuver in the whole Inland Passage. Gps and charts will only get you to the entrances. After that you are completely on your own in making the passages or not. These videos show in some degree how that is accomplished.

There are several pages in the “Exploring Southeast Alaska” cruising guide by Don Douglass and Reanne Hemmingway-Douglass describing these two entrances and the difficulties involved. I have read several post where C-Brats have mentioned owning the guide. It is seldom that a person who may someday consider cruising in these areas can compare what a cruising guide describes with what a video shows. Page 325 describe Mirror Harbor and 327 Dry Pass. If you own this guide you might consider reading the description given then watch the video.

Jay
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Hunkydory



Joined: 28 Mar 2005
Posts: 2652
City/Region: Cokeville, Wyoming
State or Province: WY
C-Dory Year: 2000
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Hunkydory
Photos: Hunkydory-Jay-and-Jolee
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Added the following video clips to the travelogue where they occurred and in a group below for those who would like a quick view without going back through the travelogue.

video Elfin Cove to Dundas Bay

video Red Bluff Bay before loss of video camera

video Crossing the Mendenhall Bar Juneau to Auke Bay

video Eagles and Ice Stephens Passage

video Dodging ice trying for Laconte Glacier

video Sea Lions Brothers Islands Fredrick Sound

video Exploring Gambier Bay Admiralty Island

video Fords Terror the return

video Fog and Ice holkham Bay Tracy Arm Cove

video Skagway End of Cruise

video The Goodby Bear

video 2nd Map of Cruise Routes from Elfin Cove to End of Cruise

The video "Fog and Ice Holkham Bay Tracy Arm Cove" shows us going through the most hazordous part of the cruise.

Jay


Last edited by Hunkydory on Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:17 pm; edited 2 times in total
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ECHOE14



Joined: 16 Nov 2004
Posts: 22
City/Region: south bay, los angeles!
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2004
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: NEEANDA
Photos: NEEANDA
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The video footage and pics of your trip was awsome!! Thanks for sharing them. Cheer's!
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