Wednesday May 22nd, 2024
We left Cow Harbor in Prince Rupert at 5:30 am. Cruising out of Prince Rupert is a bit of a challenge if you have never done it. Just follow your course settings and you will be fine. You may see fishing boats cutting through the markers taking a short cut. DO NOT DO THIS. Follow the course.
The forecast for Dixon Entrance on BuoyWeather and PredictWind, enhanced with Chris Parker’s analysis was for some brisk NNW wind early in the morning somewhat west of Dundas. This is “exactly” what we experienced, about 1.5 hours of choppy seas, with 3 foot swells. Very tolerable. Then past Dundas island toward Ketchikan mild rolling seas. Enclosed is a picture taken in Dixon Entrance, smooth like glass for the remainder of the journey.
We completed our 10 hour cruise to Ketchikan and immediately went to the fuel dock. We made it all the way from Anacortes to Ketchikan with almost 90 gallons to spare. We run at about 8 knots and burn 2 gallons an hour on average. If it’s snotty weather we kick it up to 8.5/8.75 and burn about 3 gallons an hour. Our boat takes a total of 324 gallons. We filled up our propane tank while we were at it as well.
When we called in to the Harbor Master he told us there were limited slips with power. One that was available was in Thomas Basin where we have stayed before and it is right in town. Word of caution here, the slips can be somewhat short preventing you from exiting the boat from the swim step. More often than not you will need to exit from mid-ship. Finally the wind and the currents in the harbor can be quite challenging. Man up and be on your best game before you enter the harbor. Once in rest and relax. We are going to do so with our fresh caught crab.
Monster Crab!! Alaska size! When did you possibly find time to go crabbing and where did you go? Well outside the harbor or with a pull up trap you lower over the side, no dinghy ride needed?
OK. I cannot tell a lie. I caught the crab at the fuel dock. A crabber came in with his boat and that’s the end of the story.😂😂😂
😉
Glad someone else asked! I thought how in the world did they find time to crab? Glad you made it safe and sound.
Oh geez…now I’m tempted to go buy a crab at the Snowgoose. But they don’t come that big down here.
Ok. When we are back on Guemes this summer we will catch some crab and bring it to you.