My Alaska Blog

2

20dauntless

New member
I've recently started a blog about preparing for my Alaska trip this summer and though some here might find it interesting

http://samlandsman.blogspot.com/

I don't anticipate too much activity throughout the winter (I might take the C-Dory to Squamish for some snow skiing at Whistler in early January), but I'm hoping to write regularly once my cruising begins around June 1.

Let me know what you think!

Sam
 
Sam,

Very nice blog. Great photographs, and good planning. I will be watching along. Hope to make the trip "someday" too, but right now, work gets in the way.

My one piece of advice. Add a second, non-portable VHF and separate Antenna. MY preference would be the Standard Horizon Matrix GX 2150 with the AIS receiver, auto fog horn and hailer capability. You will see FOG, and the AIS will let you know when you have an oncoming (around the corner) tug and tow or cruise ship that the radar hasn't found yet. Plus it will give you redundancy in both high power VHF and Antenna service.

Sounds like you have really got yourself a "senior" project going. Wish you the best.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Hi Sam,
Have bookmarked your blogspot and am looking forward to your updates. Twenty-two is a great age to travel. I did the same forty years ago but travelled by bicycle and have really never had the opportunity again until retirement this year. So make the best of it.
Bill
 
Hi Sam,
Are you going alone, or with your brother.
22 is a fine age to be cruising--look at the younger folks who have circumnavigated. You already have a fair amount of cruising experience in the C Dory, (We enjoyed meeting you and the family in I believe, 2008). At least this time you get the bunk!

Great photos! Well on your way to be a great photographer and boater!

Have fun, and if we can help in any way--give a shout.
 
My one piece of advice. Add a second, non-portable VHF and separate Antenna. MY preference would be the Standard Horizon Matrix GX 2150 with the AIS receiver, auto fog horn and hailer capability. You will see FOG, and the AIS will let you know when you have an oncoming (around the corner) tug and tow or cruise ship that the radar hasn't found yet. Plus it will give you redundancy in both high power VHF and Antenna service.
Click to expand...

I've been thinking about this as well, Harvey. I'm toying with the idea of adding a Digital Yacht iAIS, which would add AIS capability and wifi NMEA multiplexing so route, AIS info, etc. can be displayed on any iPhones/iPads and computers on the boat as well. Another fixed mount VHF would be nice for monitoring both the VTS frequency and 16 when operating in limited visibility too.

Are you going alone, or with your brother.
22 is a fine age to be cruising--look at the younger folks who have circumnavigated. You already have a fair amount of cruising experience in the C Dory, (We enjoyed meeting you and the family in I believe, 2008). At least this time you get the bunk!
Click to expand...

Various family members and friends will be along for parts of the trip, but nobody else has the interest or time to make the whole trip. It was great to meet you in 2008. On that trip I was the only one on the boat the whole time with others coming and going as they could. Princess Louisa was the only time there were more than two aboard...five was certainly a crowd!
 
The place where I found the second radio the most help in AK , upper BC is where there are gill netters--especially bow pickers--and in the fog. You have to talk to the boats to find a way thru--as well as listen to the other channels. I have never had much of a problem with "around the bend" as we have on the ICW in the East Coast. AIS is nice to find boat's names, but not sure that all fishing boats will have a transmitter or have it on if they have one when working the nets.
 
Looking forward to it, Sam. You have a great eye for photo ops, and it's nice to have a way and a desire to share that.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Sam

Like your blog site, idea & plans for grand adventure, photos & for sure will be following your blog.  Never know, but might even cross wakes with you in the area south of Glacier Bay.  We hope to launch out of Skagway in late May & spend most of the summer between Wrangle & Skagway on both the inner & outer waters of that area in Southeast Alaska.

Jay
 
Hello Sam. We haven't been on the boards in quite a while but just saw your post today.
We live in Juneau and if you need anything you be sure to get in touch. As you get closer to your trip, we will have to exchange phone numbers.

Jeff and Julie
 
Sam,
I will follow your blog to live vicariously through your efforts.
My dream was to take my 1983 CD Classic from Whitehorse, Yukon all the way down the Yukon River to the Bering Sea.
Time, work and other circumstances always got in the way. Now age and a too large of boat prevents it. Have a great trip and I will be watching.
We live on the east side of Cook Inlet near Cape Ninilchik. Stop by if you get this far.
 
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