SE Alaska 2013

Hi Casey and Mary, I didn't do the whole Behm Canal last summer but did explore a bit of Misty Fjords. Overnighted in Carp Island Cove and Punchbowl Cove. Both beautiful. Here are links to what I wrote about them at the time:

http://www.samlandsman.com/2012/06/day-12-ketchikan-to-carp-island-cove.html
http://www.samlandsman.com/2012/06/day-13-carp-island-cove-to-punchbowl.html

Give Yes Bay Resort a call about fuel availability; sometimes they have gas for sale.

As for condensation, I found airflow was incredibly important. Keeping the bow hatch cracked open and a fan blowing into the V-berth helped tremendously.

Best,
Sam
 
Casey":q075sjvw said:
. . . If anyone has found the Condensation Answer - please 'share! :-) . . .
Click to expand...

Sponges, Casey. Lots of sponges! :lol:

We spent an unscheduled week in Ketchikan two years ago. I'm used to rain. This was something else! With the electric heater on shore power, the Wallas on high, windows cracked, and three fans going we almost held the moisture at bay. Almost.

Have you ridden the buses everywhere they go yet? Tried all the coffee shops?

I really envy you your journey. Hope to get back up next year. Let us know how Behm goes. Haven't done that.

Be patient with the weather - be safe.
 
Update....

It's been a while since my last 'report, but this morning seems like a good time to share some of the items we've experienced during the past week.

We're still in Ketchikan. Now it's my turn to suffer through the cold that Mary had recently, so we're fairly content to sit here (with Electricity and a heater!) while slowly coming back to Health. I am about ready to acknowledge electricity as one of Man's greatest discoveries ... possibly as good as Club Soda (for those who know me well). Thank God for electricity and electric heaters!

We originally planned to begin our trip on June 1st, and here we are - already in Ketchikan for six days, so from that perspective I suppose we're ahead of our non-schedule.

Our six days in Prince Rupert were enjoyable, with amazingly good wx. We "boaterhomed" in the only campground in PR for three nights ($31/night w/elec) then launched and stayed aboard at the Prince Rupert Rowing & Yachting Club ($36/night w/elec) for three additonal nights. The truck w/ trailer are stored with Devon at Canadian Freightways (TEL: 250-624-3249) for $80/month. While in PR we toured the old North Pacific Cannery in Port Edwards (about ten miles out of town). A really interesting tour. We also toured the Museum of Northern British Columbia which has an Excellent set of displays. (Those tours were $12 and $5, respectively. Well worth the cost.)

After a smooth crossing of the Dixon Entrance, we anchored in Perfect conditions at Foggy Bay. Only one other boat, no bears, but really nice.

On to Ketchikan. I've already reported the ride to Ketchikan and the vessel-assist (tow) that we were able to provide.

Ketchikan has a city bus system that I didn't remember during my last visit in 2006. It's a $1/ride, or $2 for an unlimited day pass. (us) Seniors get to ride for $.50. Yahoo! It's really a thrilling ride, and covers virtually all the developed areas on a good timetable. These busses Haul Ass! (My impression is that most of the city bus drivers are retired NASCAR drivers.) We rode the bus to the (marginal) Saxman Totem Village ($5 to get in) on the south end. On the north end of town, just past Walmart, is the Totem Bight State Park (free) which is EXCELLENT. In the center of town is the USForest Service Visitor Center with an Excellent display ($5, but free if you have a Senior Pass [aka: Geezer Pass]). We haven't been to the "logging show" yet, but may go.

Yesterday we rode the busses, watched the 'tourii (four [FOUR] cruise ships in town) and people-watched. Today we may go to the USCG Base and check-out their PX.

The Bar Harbor (city) marina is a working marina, with good prices ($.59/ft + $.12/ft for electricity). Showers ($2 for TEN minutes!) are, HOT, clean and fairly convenient. Friendly folks.

All-in-all things are going well, if a bit damp and sniffly. It'll be nice to see the sun again!

We're still hoping to do the "Behm Canal Loop" around Revillagigedo Island (say it with me: Revilla - gig -'edo...) when we are able and the wx improves. It's about 150 miles with no fuel stops, but displacement cruising (which we do most of the time anyway) should make it doable.

Meanwhile, life here is pretty comfortable. Some of the locals are already beginning to recognize us. We have McD's, a Safeway, electricity and my Adventure Woman/CoCaptain!

Life is Great!

Best,
Casey&Mary




Sent from Casey's iPad
 
Casey and Mary,

Always a highlight to see a new update in the Alaska 2013 thread :thup

Reading, it comes across a perfect combination of painting a picture of the overall mood and place, plus specific detail for those of use who may follow in your footsteps at some point or are just curious about details (such as the place, contact info and current pricing of your truck/trailer storage, etc.).

Glad to hear you are on the mend (although sorry you had something to mend from).

Sunbeam
 
I remember about 25 years ago, I went off on a fishing trip with a couple of buddies in an old beat up RV. I laid in bed in the evening watching the condensation running down the walls. A few days later I went down with pneaumonia and that put me off work sick for 3 weeks.
So it is very important to get the condensation out of our boats or at least reduce it as much as possible.

Martin.
 
Casey and Mary Hope you get over your Colds ,We were in Ketchikan years ago on a cruise ship . What a wonderful place . Enjoying your voyages through the c-brats Take care and have a wonderful summer . Hope to catch up with you guys this winter in florida .

BTW I look back at our week from Comax to Anacortes as one of my better cruising trips thanks again Jim
 
We were in Loring two years ago and there is no gas or any other services. There is a community dock, but only the inside face is useable due to wave activity.

Near Loring is a Forestry dock and trail which leads to a lagoon and fresh water lakes. Its a good hike thru beautiful woods. Ask at the Forestry office which is located near the north end of Bar Harbor.
 
I consider our SE Alaska trip to have actually started on March 19th when we left Florida. Using the boat as a camper was wonderful and almost as fun as being on the water. We certainly get a lot of attention while "boater-homing"! When we are on the water, we're just another little fish in a big pond. But we were the ONLY boater-homer in Bryce Canyon, the Tetons, Lake Louise, at the Columbia Icefield glacier and many other fantastic places. We covered a lot of ground and saw a lot of gorgeous scenery including National Parks in the US and Canada before putting the boat in the water. And when they see our Florida license plates and boat registration, everyone wants to hear our story.

I've been posting at least one photo from my iPhone per day on Facebook. If anyone would like to "friend" me to see more photos, you can find me easily by searching "Mary Burtner Casebeer".

Photo below is from the North Pacific Cannery in Prince Edward, B.C. about 10 miles from Prince Rupert. Great tour. (Although we caught our colds from the coughing tour guide!)

cannery.sized.jpg
 
What a happy, handsome couple! Good for you. Live your dreams. Carolyn and George. We took off from Nanaimo yeasterday for a month in the Gulf Islands. In Silva Bay just now. Just before mid night 20-25 NW started thru here. On 1 1/2 to 1 scope in 23 ft as the place is loaded with private moorings. Love the 22 lb Bruce. It was nicely buried. The windlass grunted a couple times lifting it. Better it than me!! Came in to the resort to overnight. Following along with you guys. Have fun!
 
Casey,

I am currently in Petersburg, I missed you in Ketchikan. I will be here and anchored out until 6/11,Toni flys in 6/11. We would love to meet with you and Mary for drinks, dinner, or both. Stay in touch, I will be in Petersburg every 2-3 days.
 
Russ & Toni,

Looks like you're several days ahead of us.
We hope to be back underway on Tuesday, and begin the
Behm Canal loop. I figure that may take us about six days,
then back to Ketchikan for a night or two before we press-on.

We plan to stop in Myers Chuck and Wrangell as we go north.

...hope we can meet-up somewhere this summer!

Best,
Casey&Mary
 
Great cruising going on up there. Hang on, I'll make it ....sometime. hyou all have fun.

AS TO THE MOISTURE. Has anyone tried DriDeck under the V-birth matresses. And it also takes moving air. Ventilate. Dress warm and keep the cabin cooler :oops:

Enjoy.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
We have "Hypervent" beneath the mattress, but the condensation
accumulates on the inside/underside of other fiberglass
surfaces.

Heat that does not create moisture (e.g. electric) helps, and yes,
ventilation helps as well (we tend to keep the cabin door open
a bit, or some slightly opened windows). And as Noro Lim says:
some large sponges!

Best,
C&M
 
Casey,

Look for us in Ketchikan next Wed/Thur (Jun 12). Our boat is at the City Dock now and will be for the next 10 days or so while we head to Anchorage for a couple of days.

Tom
 
Tom,

We plan to be underway tomorrow, to do the Behm Canal loop.
We will look for you when we come back through Ketchikan in
about a week.

Best,
C&M
 
That's a beautiful trip and the drive must have been wonderful. When you return to Prince Rupert, you may want to think about going south through Grenville Channel. This is a unique geological pass which is both beautiful and interesting. I assume Bill and El will answer any geological questions. It's worth the trip.There's a nice anchorage half way down, so it could be an overnight trip.

And by the way, Prince Rupert is the founder of Canada.

Boris
 
After a total of nine days in Ketchikan, two colds, and learning
the bus system (by heart) we decided to forego the Behm Canal,
And try to escape from beneath the rain cloud.

We may do the canal when we pass through 'southbound, or not.
We'll have to think about that later.

As we headed North to Meyers Chuck the wx was great in Clarence
Straits (which was nice - it can be nasty). About 13 miles south of
MC we watch a humpback very leisurely grooming(?) itself along the
shear rock face at the shoreline. It was fascinating, and we watched
for about 20-30 min (at a respectable distance, of course). We can
only assume that it was rubbing-off parasites or something. Whatever,
it certainly seemed to be having a good time, and oblivious to our presence.

MC was the same, delightful spot as usual, and we enjoyed happy hour with
two couples we met at the dock. Both were in larger vessels (heck, Everyone
seems to be in boats larger than 23')! The next day the crossing over to Thorne Bay was ok, but we had to zipper the route a bit because of the sea conditions. We were back under the 'raincloud, but at least we had electricity at the expensive dock ($1/ft +$6.30elec). We did a lot of walking in the rain
and our massive golf umbrella was Very useful (as it was in Ketchikan). We enjoyed TB but it didn't take too long to see. Nice folks though.

I'll try to comment on our trip northward later, but will have to take a break lest I loose this - which makes me Crazy...).

In the meantime if you want to read more (with many pictures), I urge you to look at Mary's "Facebook" page (Mary Burtner Casebeer). She is really good at
Face-booking and has some great commentary and pictures.

We've been in Wrangell for three nights and will depart for Petersburg within the hour, so we have several little chores to get done (and finish my second cup of coffee!).

Best,
Casey&Mary
...onward from Wrangell!
 
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