What are gribs anyway?

N 48 56.784, W 125 33.227
Ucluelet, Vancouver Island

A few of you have asked what "gribs" are. GRIB is short for GRIdded Binary, or the encoding used for meteorological data. GRIB files are computer-generated forecast files from NCEP/NOAA. We are able to specify a zone or box by latitude and longitude, the grid-spacing in degrees, the forecast times (24, 48, .. hours) and parameters. Parameters include mean sea-level pressure, wind for the gradient surface (10-meter), 500mb height, sea-surface temperature, air temperature (2M altitude) and wave-height. You can also indicate what time you want the data and for how many days you want to get the forecast.

So currently we are requesting data for 49 N 130 W, to 42 N 123W, .5 degree grid-spacing, forecast times of 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 (5 day look ahead), sea-level pressure and winds for the gradient surface and we want to get a forecast every day for now until Sept. 5. We have a program that allows us to view this data graphically on a very crude map but sufficient for us to make a decision whether to continue or to wait for a better weather window.

If you would like more information, check the internet.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Laundry

Saturday night we anchored out at Ucluelet. Fairly uneventful except for early Sunday morning the wind started to come from the south and built to around 18 knots. A little after 10:00 am we hoisted the anchor and came into the "small boat harbor". Most of the boats are fishing boats, long liners and trawlers with some smaller sport fishing boats. On the transient docks are a few of us sailboats. Across the way is the Canadian Princess, an old steamer that once was a cruise ship and also did coastal duty during WWII. Now it is a floating fishing lodge with a nice restaurant where we had lunch on the foredeck today.

Sunday was laundry day, 4 loads worth. The last time we did laundry was Ketchikan, so it had piled up. Rich did a little provisioning as well. We are also catching up on correspondence. The wireless is a little iffy so yesterday's posting to the blog got lost in cyberspace.

Ucluelet has grown up a bit. There are a lot more condominiums, resorts, townhomes, etc in the area. It is also a very popular surfing spot. On top of one of the hills (or a mountain) in Barclay Sound is a large radar site, which looks like a giant white ball. It also has an AIS transponder on top as well. I overheard someone ask the harbormaster what it was and his joking reply was that it marked Arnold Palmer's summer home. Snicker.

No worries,

SV Windarra

On to Ucluelet

N 48 57.138, W 125 33.433
Ucluelet, Vancouver Island

This morning we stopped at the fuel dock, filled up the tanks and jerry jugs, took on water and dropped off our garbage. We were out of chocolate which is very worrisome. We had even eaten all of the chocolate chips on the boat. So I picked up 2 Bounty Bars to tide us over until we can get to a grocery store in Ucluelet.

We saw at least 4 whales today. The whale watching boats were out as well. At one point we saw a whale near the boats bring his head up and do a small broach. The tourists got a show.

We are now anchored in the harbor near the marina. Tomorrow we hope to get a slip in the marina so we can do laundry, provision, check the internet, etc.

Ucluelet is a lot bigger than I remember when we visited here with Jesse and Sarah on Fairwind. Now there are homes on both sides of the harbor and we saw resorts/condominiums/homes along the coast. Tomorrow we will see what the town is like.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Arrived at Tofino

N 49 09.346, W 125 53.786
Tofino, Vancouver Island

We arrived at 7:00 am this morning. We covered 280 nautical miles in just under 48 hours. This morning we were a little early so we had to slow down until daylight for entering the harbor.

When we came in we settled the boat, took showers, had something to eat and then took a nap for a few hours. The marina is full so we will remain at anchor tonight. The plan is to get fuel in the morning (we have just fumes now), and head over to Ucluelet so we can get moorage and then do things like laundry, etc.

We are all glad to be at anchor, especially the cat.

Sorry the last email was so brief. Unfortunately we found that the autopilot is not compatible with using the HF Radio for Sailmail. :-( This is something we will try and troubleshoot in Ucluelet.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Continuing to Tofino

N 49 56.534, W 127 56.735

Continuing to Tofino.

Puffins, Albatross, Whales, Dolphins

N 51 01.048, W 129 55.131
79 miles from Keeweenah Bay,
200 miles to Tofino
winds 0-16 knots
seas 1-2 meters

We left Keeweenah Bay and Haida Gwaii around 8:40 am this morning to begin our passage to Tofino on Vancouver Island. As we rounded the point we saw some Tufted Puffins in the water. Unfortunately they are very camera shy so no photographs.

As we sail along, I was starting to count the number of albatrosses I saw. After a while I started to wonder if there were really that many. At one point I saw 15 floating together, must have been some sort of coffee klatch or something. I think that this group of 15 has been following us this whole time and that I was just counting the same ones over and over.

We have also seen blow and fluke of a whale in the distant and a humpback about 4 boat lengths away. Later some dolphins came and played in our bow wave.

So while we have not seen a single boat, other than the 3 AIS targets, we have not been alone.

Passage is going well so far. Hope it continues.

No worries
SV Windarra

Still here

N 52 06.053, W 130 58.192
Keeweenah Bay, Kunghit Island

We looked at the gribs last night and decided it was wise to stay here on Tuesday. So today we put the dingy on the foredeck and move fuel from the jerry jugs to the aft fuel tank, in the rain and the wind.

If you were to look outside here now, you would not believe the wind was 20-25 knots today. The seas are flat like glass and there is no wind in the bay. We can see blue sky in places and the sun was out for a bit this afternoon.

We will check on the gribs tonight.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Just you and me, Noah

N 52 06.053, W 130 58.192
Keeweenah Bay, Kunghit Island

Last night the rain started and the wind began to build. This morning it was raining non-stop and the winds were gusting to 30 knots. The Prince Rupert Coast Guard was sending out storm warnings for Hecate Straits. We tried looking out the bay but the fog was too thick. This was a good day to stay put.

We had intentions of putting the dingy on the foredeck but it was raining so hard neither of us wanted to go outside. So we stayed in, did a few chores, baked some brownies, read our books. After a brief lull, the rains have started again and the wind is increasing.

Yesterday when we were at SGang Gwaay, Paul told us a story about deadheads. The Haida are superstitious about deadhead, floating logs that bob up and down. When they would see them when they were out canoeing, they would immediately turn away and paddle in the opposite direction. They were afraid that they would be caught by the deadhead and drowned. It so happened that the village of Tanu was always being raided by other villages. So to prevent this, they cut down some trees, weighed down one end and arranged them just off shore of their village. This stopped the raids. It also stopped trade with other villages. Win some, lose some.

We are hoping that the weather will improve tomorrow. We will look at the gribs tonight.

No worries,
SV Windarra

SGang Gwaay

N 52 06.053, W 130 58.192
Keeweenah Bay, Kunghit Island

Today was a special day. We went to SGang Gwaay, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. On some maps you might see this as Anthony Island. The Haida name translates as Wailing Island, referring to the sound made by the wind through the hollow of a reef near the island, it sounds like a woman wailing. The Kunghit Haida are believed to have had a presences on this island for at least 2,000 years. We visited with Paul and Clifford, two of the Watchmen on the island. Paul gave us a tour of what remains of the village, SGang Gwaay Linagaay, Wailing Island Town.

We got to see memorial and mortuary poles. Few interior and house frontal poles remain. In the heyday, the village had 17 houses, with each house sheltering 30 or more individuals. We saw the corner posts and some of the frame structures and the different levels within a house including the firepit in the center. The village overlooks a small bay with a narrow entrance. You could see where they would bring up their canoes. Behind the houses, there was a reservoir where they collected water as well as gardens including a potato patch and apple trees.

The path from the anchorage to the Watchmen's housing is a boardwalk through the old growth rainforest. It is truly a special place and we were glad to have the opportunity to see it. We also heard about how they are trying to maintain the site and the remaining poles. If you are interested in finding out more about SGang Gwaay and Gwaii Hanaas, their website is www.pc.gc.ca/gwaiihaanas.

As we leave the anchorage, Rich saw some floats in the water that usually mark crab pots. He started to dodge them when they suddenly flew up in the air to avoid the boat. They were tufted Puffins, and not floats at all. Surprise.

After our visit we motored up Louscoone Inlet to a mooring buoy that has a hose with running water. It is connected to a fresh water stream on shore. The water is not potable and we must boil it before we can drink it but we can use it for showers and washing.

We crossed back through Houston Stewart Channel to the east side of Kunghit Island. A weather system is moving in from the southeast and we will remain here at least until Tuesday for it to pass us.

No worries,
SV Windarra

A tufted puffin

N 52 09.191, W 131 05.337
Rose Harbor, Kunghit Island

Today was a short day. We left Collison Bay, named for the Anglican Reverend William Collison who was the first missionary to arrive in the islands in 1876. His daughter, Emily, who was born the following year, was the first white child to be born on the island.

As we traversed south in Hecate Strait, we passed a tufted puffin, with large orange bill with a white face and yellow head tufts, swimming by. There is a rookery of tufted puffins on the east side of Kunghit island which we hope to see in a few days. We also passed Garcin Rock with a large population of Stellar sea lions. They are a lot more excited to see here than sitting on a float near the Ballard Locks.

Rose Harbor is the site on an abandoned village. Now some of the property is privately owned and there are a few homes. On Ellen Island which boarders on one side of the harbor is a warden station for the park. They monitor activities and assist with researchers.

Tomorrow we plan to go to Sgang Gwaii, the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Fun at the hot springs

N 52 16.765, W 131 09.011
Collison Bay, Moresby Island

This morning we saw a Black Oystercatcher and some seals sunny themselves on a rock islets.

We went over to Hotsprings Island, aka Gandll K'in Gwaay-yaay. At the island, we met Corey, Andrea and Molly, the Watchmen for the site. Molly is an elder. We anchored off the south end of the island and beached our dingy. There are changing rooms and solar showers. The trail to the different hot springs pools is partly boardwalk to protect the vegetation. The pools look out over the water. So we could sit in the pool and look out at Windarra at anchor. According to our Visitor Guide book, the springs seep from at least 26 small vents at temperatures ranging from 89 - 170F. The water was hot but not too hot.

The island is also home to the maternity colony of the Kaen's long-eared bats. These small brown bats with ears one quarter the length of their bodies. We did not see any bats, thank goodness.

After the hotsprings, we passed Burnaby Island to Collison Bay. There is a narrows between Burnaby and Moresby Islands but at low tide it is dry. So we decided to pass on this and go around the outside.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Sac Bay

N 52 32.057, W 131 40.508
Sac Bay, De La Beche Inlet, Moresby Island, Juan Perez Sound

As we traveled from Echo Harbor we saw a group of 7 kayakers, heading the opposite direction in Darwin Sound. The wind was down around 2 knots and the seas were flat.

As we entered De La Beche Inlet, a rigid inflatable went zipping by us with 6 passengers, and 3 kayaks overhead on a framework. They dropped off 2 people and 1 kayak in Sac Bay just before we came in. The kayakers left after about an hour. This evening another rigid inflatable with only the driver came through but no kayakers here.

Rich worked on the port side power winch. The winch works but not the power part which we suspect is due to a faulty relay. It looks like another project for San Francisco. I have been reading the sailing directions and options for anchorages further south.

This anchorage has a narrow entrance and steep sides. At the far end there is a waterfall that is barely a trickle keeping the rocks wet. You can see some of the alpine meadow area above the head of the bay.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Echo Harbor

N 52 41.615, W 131 45.936
Echo Harbor, Darwin Sound, Moresby Island

This morning we raised anchor at Thurston Harbor without any problems. We went around Hemming Head and Porter Head to enter Gwaii Haanas. Going up Logan Inlet and around to Darwin Sound the winds were coming over the San Charistoval Range and through the inlets and out to Hecate Straits being funnelled by the tall sides of the inlets. Some of the trees we see are reddish. At first we thought they were diseased but now we think it is just the variety.

Echo Harbor is a small bay tucked in between two hillsides. At the end is a small creek. When we first entered there was a Westsail 32, named Alaster, anchored at the end. We chatted briefly on the radio and then they left. Now we are all alone in the harbor.

Rich and I re-inflated our dingy, Boomerang, and put it back in the water. This will let us explore on land.

Tomorrow we plan to continue down Darwin Sound, possibly to De la Beche Inlet.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Thurston Harbor

N 52 50.316, W 131 44.180
Thurston Harbor, Talunkwan Island

Today we went over to Sandspit, topped of our fuel tank, got some gasoline for the outboard motor and filled our water tanks. Then we went up the channel and crossed the bar out into Hecate Straits. It was a lot more lively than our crossing of two days ago.

We are down the coast and have an anchorage all to ourselves. We wanted to anchor deeper into the harbor but there are signs of logging and old log booming areas and we rather not get hung up. We can see out the harbor so tomorrow morning we can see what the conditions are and decide where to go next. We want to take the dingy off the foredeck and put it back in the water so we can use it to go exploring.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Gwaii Haanas

N 53 15.144, W 132 04.380
Queen Charlotte City, Graham Island

Today we got a taxi ride to the Haida Heritage Centre. There we had an orientation for travel in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and the UNESCO World Heritage Site at S'Gang Gwaay. This included some of the background of the area, features as well as some do's and don't's presented via a video and an orientation leader. At each of the major village sites they have a Watchman. A Watchman is responsible for the safety to the site. They make sure there is no vandalism as well as using it as an opportunity to learn and practice the Haida culture with elders also at each site. In Haida culture a watchman was responsible for alerting the village of danger such as bad weather conditions, attacks from outsiders, bears, etc. Afterwards we registered and paid for our permits. The center includes a museum, gift shop, snack bar, canoe center and demonstration area. The museum is a must see. We got a chance to speak with a woman who family lineage goes back to the 1800's at the village of Skedans. And, we bought Gwaii Haanas t-shirts!

We walked to Skedigate and had lunch at Dave's Takeout. Great hamburgers, by the way. Then took a taxi back to Queen Charlotte City for a little provisioning (coke, Rum, lettuce, tuna), checked out some bookstores and then back to the boat to relax. Our taxi driver, Ron's son is the watchman at Hotsprings Island, Gandll K'in Gwaay-yaay.

Tomorrow we will go over to Sandspit to top off our fuel and then head south, possibly to Skedans, aka K'uuma Linagaay, on Louise Island.

Haaw'a (thank you)
SV Windarra

A long, long day

N 53 15.144, W 132 04.380
Queen Charlotte City, Graham Island

This morning we got up at 4:00 am but waited until it was light enough we could see go through the passage. As we lifted the anchor we snagged on a chain that was probably left by some fisherman. After a few attempts to get the chain off of our anchor we lowered our anchor back down to the bottom and put the boat in reverse and the chain slid off, hooray.

To get to the Queen Charlottes / Haida Gwaii, you need to cross Hecate Strait, a notorious body of water. The west side of the strait, close to the islands is a shallow shelf to about 15 meters deep. As the winds and the current move water through the strait and come against this shelf the seas are often steep and confused. It is something to prepare for and respect. We have been watching the gribs and waiting for a good weather window to cross but we did not expect the conditions that we saw today. From the time we left the anchorage to the harbor on Graham Island, 75 miles, we had flat seas with winds under 3 knots for 90 percent of the time, increasing to 9 knots when we were nearing the harbor. This was amazing. We even had the current in our favor the entire time. Of course we motored instead of sailed but we will take it.

We are definitely in fishing country. There is a fishing boat across and behind us here on the dock. Across the way we saw boats bringing in their catch and selling it including a large halibut that was over four feet long. They also brought in salmon, cod and rockfish.

Tomorrow we hope to attend the orientation for traveling in Haida Gwaii.

No worries
SV Windarra

Still at Spicer Island

N 53 45.125, W 130 21.566
Spicer Island, Ogden Passage

Based on the gribs we decided to stay another day at Spicer Inlet. We still have it all to ourselves, with the exception of some gulls, terns, ducks and eagles. There has been little or no wind today and the water is like a millpond.

Besides doing some reading we did a few boat chores. Rich rigged the Happy Hooker (tm) on one of our boat hooks. This allows us to thread a line through a ring on the top of a mooring buoy. We bought this a long time ago and have never used it. Since we understand that there are mooring buoys at some of the sites we would like to visit at Haida Gwaii, we decided it was time to try it. We will let you know how it works.

We also changed the connection of the HF radio to the boat's ground, in hopes it will improve our reception. We have been about to send/receive email via the HF radio but listening to the nets has been mostly static. This meant taking the bed about in the aft stateroom. We will start checking to see if this is an improvement. If not, this will be another job for San Francisco.

I have been looking at the maps and the sailing directions for Haida Gwaii to get some idea of where we would like to go. It is exciting to be going someplace new to us and a little off the beaten path so to speak.

Tomorrow morning we will get up early and head for Queen Charlotte City. Wish us well

No worries,
SV Windarra

All to ourselves

N 53 45.125, W 130 21.566
Spicer Inlet, Spicer Island

Last night in the middle of the night, I went up in the cockpit and looked at the stars. It was a bright clear night, with no clouds. I thought I saw some shooting stars as well. There are so many more stars to see when you are away from the lights of civilization.

This morning as we were preparing to leave we heard the Canadian ferry blowing its horn periodically. After living on Puget Sound, you immediately think that there is traffic and the ferry is sending a warning. We left the anchorage and saw a layer of fog where the ferry had gone. It was sending a warning that I am coming, please get out of my way because if you are not on radar, I can not see you, and if you are on radar, I can not stop. Tonnage rules.

We are all alone at this anchorage. In the distance we can see out to Hecate Straits. The anchorage is similar to Prideaux Haven in Desolation Sound.

We will check the gribs tonight and decide whether to leave tomorrow or Sunday for Queen Charlotte City.

ps, We have just passed the 1000 nautical mile mark since leaving Seattle on June 24.

No worries
SV Windarra

Lewis Island

N 54 00.822, W 130 15.881
Lewis Island, Arthur Passage

This morning we woke up to a very foggy Prince Rupert. Luckily as the morning wore on the fog lifted. We got a chance to talk to Michael on the 70' ketch Duen. Michael runs tours of Gwaii Haanas on his ketch. He gave us some tips on where to go in Gwaii Haanas. It was very helpful and now we have some ideas of where we would like to visit while we are there.

Afterwards we went to the fuel dock and filled our 2 tanks (90 gallons) and our jerry jugs (40 gallons). So we are topped off. We motor-sailed to Lewis Island where we had anchored before arriving at Prince Rupert for the first time (7/30/2010).

Tomorrow we will go to Spicer Island, and closer to Hecate Strait.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Preparing to leave

Prince Rupert

Today we did some boat chores. Rich changed the oil, we put new line on our whisker pole to release the jaws and put water on the boat. We walked up to the museum again to find out more about going to the Queen Charlottes. The lower portion of the islands are part of the island group is now referred to as Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and the Haida Heritage Site. They regulate the number of visitors to the park and you need to make reservations and attend an orientation session before you enter, especially if you are now travelling on a package tour or with a guide, which is our case. I called and talk to them and we will get our permit and attend the orientation after we arrive at Queen Charlotte City.

Tomorrow we plan to take on fuel and the travel to Lewis Island when we stayed before we arrived at Prince Rupert the first time at the end of July.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Exploring Prince Rupert

Today we explored more of Prince Rupert.

The area where the yacht club is located is called Cow Bay. To follow this theme, local shops have Cow in the name (Cowpaccino is a coffee shop) and things like street signs, awnings, trash cans, garbage dumpsters are all painted like black and white cows.

We went to the Museum of Northern British Columbia and looked for books and guides for the Queen Charlottes. I bought an orca charm for our boat necklace/log. This is similar to what we did on our trip across the South Pacific. I have a bead for each day. It is dark blue for an overnight passage, lighter blue for anchoring out or green for staying at a marina. I add charms to mark events or places such as a small totem pole charm for Ketchikan. The orca charm is a Salish design and it also signifies the spirit of the Traveller. It seems to be fitting.

After the museum we stopped at the Starbucks in Safeway so I could connect to the internet and do a few things. We walked around checking out bookstores, the marine store, laundry facilities. We stopped at the Breakers Pub which is right next door to the yacht club so I could finish my internet chores while we had nachos and Rich got a CNN fix. 10 minutes of CNN was all that was needed.

SV Windarra

Prince Rupert

N 54 19.173, W 130 19.149
Prince Rupert Rowing and Yacht Club

Today was a long motor with no wind and flat water. One of the easiest motors we have had. Saw whales in the distance.

We are now at the Prince Rupert Rowing and Yacht Club. We had dinner at Smiley's and then walked around town a bit. The local movie store, the Movie Gallery, was going out of business so we bought 7 DVDs for $9.00. Such a deal.

Tomorrow we will do some chores, and explore more of Prince Rupert.

No worries,
SV Windarra

A short day

N 54 46.493, W 130 44.031
Port Tongass, Tongass Island, Alaska

We decided to break up the remaining distance to Prince Rupert with a stop at Port Tongass. It was only 21 miles from Foggy Bay. Tomorrow's passage to Prince Rupert will be about 42 miles, if we can take Venn Passage.

Port Tongass used to be the site of a of a Tlingit village. Most of the inhabitants moved to Saxman, near Ketchikan in the early 1900s. Not much sign of the village remains as seen from the water.

Shortly after we arrived a boat called Amelie showed up. Amelie is an old fishing boat that has been renovated into a cruiser but still had some of the original fishing structure, like cranes to lift items in and out of the hold. She kept going back and forth in the passage near us. We wondered what they were doing. Did we take their spot? We also noticed that the boat did not have any anchors. Strange. A while later a smaller fishing boat came along side. This boat anchored and then a diver went overboard. It appears that Amelie lost their anchor and tackle overboard and the diver is working to retrieve it. This explains some of the mystery.

In the meantime we have been relaxing, reading and I made some brownies for dessert.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Heading South

N 54 57.003, W 130 56.494
Foggy Bay, Alaska

We are on our way south.

This morning was overcast but not raining. It was a good decision to wait until today to head south. Of course, we are a little perplexed. All the time we have been heading north, the wind has been coming from the north, northwest, or from the direction we are going. Now we are headed back south and the wind is coming from the south, southeast or the direction we want to go. Is it something about us?

We are tucked away in a small anchorage with a narrow and shallow entrance. Luckily even though it is called Foggy Bay it is not foggy now and we hope it will not be foggy in the morning. It is one thing to enter when you can see the obstacles. Not being able to see them is a whole different story.

From our anchorage we can see across a drying area out into Revillagigedo Channel but we are protected and unaffected from the swell.

One of the guidebooks mentions that there are bears and martens in the area, so we will watch for them. No sign yet but there is a sign on shore that read, "Trap Line".

No worries,
SV Windarra

Touring Ketchikan

N 55 20.967, W 131 40.887
Bar Harbor Marina, Ketchikan

The last couple of days we have been doing some chores as well as playing tourist.

We walked into the town area centered around the cruise ships are which there are 3 currently docked. There is a nice new looking promenade area with benches and all sorts of passengers. They are either going fishing or on float plane trips to the Misty Fjords or kayaking or shopping. Across the street is lined with either souvenir shops or jewelry stores. This is not exactly what comes to mind when you hear "Alaskan Gold Rush", but people are rushing and someone is making some gold.

Nearby is a small amphitheater for the Lumberjack Show. All I could think about was the lumberjack song from Monty Python. The show is advertised to present tree climbing, log rolling and axe throwing (not catching). There was quite a line of cruise ship passengers so we passed.

We walked along Creek Street which is a series of building connected by boardwalks along a salmon spawning creek that runs to a hatchery on the hill behind. Creek Street was once the red-light district of Ketchikan. Now it is mixed residential and commercial with lots of little shops and eateries. We saw the salmon jumping up the falls. You could rent poles at the hot dog stand and try your luck at catching one. There was also a bridge at one end and some young men were jumping off into the creek.

Closeby Creek Street, we found a native art store and bought a carved paddle with a painting of an eagle on it done by a local Tsinglit artist.

Yesterday we did our provisioning. There is a Safeway near the marina and they let you use the shopping carts to take your groceries to the boat. This is great since we had two carts worth. The Safeway also has a liquor store so Rich was able to get some Mount Gay rum.

The last couple of days that weather has been in the 70's but today it is raining hard so we will pass on the walk. So we do a few chores and read. We plan to head back to Prince Rupert over the next two days.

This is as far north as we are going to go.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Alaska !

N 55 20.967, W 131 40.887
Ketchikan, Alaska

We made it! We are in Ketchikan, Alaska!

This morning we left at 7:00 am, leaving behind the wonderful anchorage. There was little or no wind, seas calm except for the rolling swell as we crossed Dixon Entrance from Canada to Alaska. We had to go in a circle once because a tug with a large tow seemed confused by our signals. We slowed down to let him pass us and then he slowed down. So we did a small circle waiting for him to pass us. Later an Alaskan ferry passed us. They even called us on the VHF by name to let us know that they would be passing us on port. The AIS is working!

After the swells finally subsided we had some lunch and then the winds picked up. Of course they were on the nose and building to 22 knots and against the current. We tied up at the marina at 5:00 pm. From anchorage to moorage we did 61 miles today.

For the next couple of days we are going to clean up (wash the boat, clothes), provision (go out to eat, Safeway) and do some touristy things here in Ketchikan.

No worries,
SV Windarra

Almost to Alaska

N 54 36.307, W 130 53.466
Brundige Inlet, Dundas Island, Canada

Since we could not get moorage in Prince Rupert and the weather looked favorable we decided to continue north. Of course there was plenty of fog at Prince Rupert but after we got around Digby Island it started to clear up. We had little or no wind all day. In fact the most wind we had was 10 knots and that was as we were preparing to anchor. Go figure.

After we anchored we brought the dingy on the foredeck, deflated it and secured it on the foredeck. Before we left Seattle we had a fixture made that replaces the mid-deck dorade guard and holds the aft section of the dingy when it is upside down. With the dingy upside down and deflated, we can secure it to the forward cleats and the two handrails on the mid-deck. This keeps the dingy from moving around when we are on passage and it will not interfere with sailing or anchoring or going forward on the jacklines.

Tomorrow we plan to cross Dixon Entrance to Ketchikan. It is about 60 miles. A long, long day.

No worries,
SV Windarra