Category: Alaska with S/V Hermitage

Sideways Sally has been thinking about this inlet for 10 years!! It was a dream come true to be heading there on the return from Ketchikan. Close to Prince Rupert, it is an amazing experience for boats travelling north to Alaska, or south to Canada, or NE to Hyder, Alaska or Stewart, B.C.

Check the link for orientation to location.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Portland+Inlet

The Khutzeymateen Inlet reaches into Canadian waters, and is a designated Provincial Park. The park represents the first undisturbed estuary of its size to be protected along the north coast of BC. The topography of this land and marine sanctuary is diverse, with rugged peaks towering to 2100 metres above a valley of wetlands, old growth temperate rainforests and a large river estuary. An abundance of wildlife shares the area.

Portland Inlet empties out into Dixon Entrance East and creates an unpleasant washing machine where they meet. Based on tides, currents, and weather, you really want to pick your time crossing Portland. We found a route that took us inside Dixon Entrance and across Portland with smooth seas and very little drama. Tongass Passage led us directly to Portland, past small islands with white sand beaches, and protected passages between reefs that kept the swells from the Pacific Ocean to a minimum.

We breezed across Portland under the jib with a gentle 8-10 knot wind and eased into the entrance. The current took us along past winding waterways and waterfalls. It was serenely quiet and peaceful. We’d been reading the guide books which informed us to check in with the Ranger Station before entering the head of the inlet and anchoring near the Grizzly Sanctuary.

We glided up to the dock attached to the Ranger Station and two gentlemen came out to catch our lines. They invited us in for an introduction to the sanctuary, along with the history of their people and their village. After an informative and friendly chat we toured the anchorage, finding the sweet spot far enough away from the sudden rise of the mudflats and close to the grazing areas of the grizzlies.

Settling in for the night in anticipation of the morning sights left me tingling with curiosity. I was wide awake at 0500 for breakfast at low tide. The grizzlies did not disappoint!!

They were munching on grass, pooping on the shore, and having some on the side! We watched for hours, the majestic wonder of these fierce creatures in the life cycle of adult, two year old juveniles. and one year old cubs. They seemed oblivious to the onlookers in boats, except for the cubs who scampered away when we passed them by on our way when we were leaving the inlet.

Looking at the grandeur of this place in my video does not even begin to describe the delightful awe I took in with each deep sigh…

https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/khutzeymateen/

All the pics and videos leave me wanting to go back for more!!

Getting out of the harbor in Ketchikan went much smoother than getting in. With the tide at slack the current was not creating havoc and the wind was a no show. Of course leaving early to avoid these factors is crucial.

We set the course for Ketchikan-Rivallagigedo Channel-Behm Channel-Rudyerd Inlet. The day was sunny and warm and we were excited with anticipation to explore a new place.

The trip so far had been a monumental milestone for the Skipper who dreamt of sailing to Alaska. Don has spent three years preparing Hermitage, and getting familiar with navigating and sailing.

Sideways Sally felt privileged to join him on his maiden voyage, and lucky to make a new sailing buddy. Crewing onboard requires work, everyone pitches in. I felt confident with the guidebooks I contributed for heading north to Alaska and the years of practice I’ve had navigating on OMOO.

I had met sailors and boaters who go to Alaska repeatedly and always wondered, “why, what is the draw?” Thinking to myself that it would be an extension to Northern British Columbia with our beautiful inlets and fjords.

The first taste of what Alaska offers proved that there are spectacular experiences to be had. I now know why people are compelled to make the long trek to this amazing place.

Take a look at this special place, Behn Channel to Punchbowl Cove.

Click the link below for a look at Revallagigedo Island, where Ketchikan is located and Behm Channel to Rudyerd Inlet.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ketchikan,

Sideways Sally set out on new adventures this summer, jumping aboard S/V Hermitage. Hermitage and crew were aiming for Alaska, leaving Prince Rupert on June 10, 2022. Hermitage is owned and skippered by Don, a rancher from Alberta who is returning to his dream of sailing after a 30 year hiatus. Sadly, the crew from the UK that we had recruited was turned back in Prince Rupert after attempting multiple ways to obtain an entry visa as crew on a sailing vessel entering the USA.

Hermitage and crew were up and at ’em early, listening to the Environment Canada VHF broadcast for Dixon Entrance East. Winds were forecasted SE from 10-20 knots with 3-4 foot seas. The Maple Leaf 42 is a capable boat for the Pacific Northwest. The center cockpit pilot house is dry and warm, the crew was enthusiastic. We decided we were safe for moderate seas and reasonable winds up to 25 knots.

We set the course through Venn Passage, a short cut north that winds it’s way like a long skinny snake through the channels between Digby Island and the mainland. We passed the ferry terminal to Digby, which provides service to passengers flying in and out of the Prince Rupert Airport located on the island. Then Metlakatla Village came around the last bend before entering Chatham Sound. The wind and waves built as we crossed Chatham Sound, sailing at a steady 6-7 knots in three foot seas.

Dixon Entrance became uncomfortable but not dangerous as the seas built to 4-6 feet. We knocked some grass off the hull as we rocked and rolled in the broad reach, at times surfing the swells. We watched unsecured items shift to the floor. “It can’t fall off the floor” and “nothing broke” I called out from the wheel in pilot house. Rain off and on competed with the saltwater splashing the isoglass.

Northwest of Cape Fox we entered “Foggy Bay” which was well protected and on this evening, not foggy! The inner basin was a welcoming contrast to the wave action in the open waters exposed to the Pacific Ocean. Friends had informed us that this was a great stopover on the way to Ketchikan.

After calling ahead to Border Services and uploading the ROAM app for entry to the USA, we relaxed over dinner. I glanced over the surrounding shoreline looking for wild life and found a black grizzly munching on his salad. The big handsome brute was oblivious to our boat and another that came in to shelter for the night.

The next day greeted us with calm seas as we motored up Revillagigedo Channel toward Ketchikan. Cruise ships are active again and we are a tiny splotch on the navigation screen in comparison. I like to chat with the Captains who are always happy to let us know which side of the channel we should stick to to keep out of the way.

Arriving to the many marinas in the harbor, the guidebooks directed us to call the harbor master to obtain moorage in the “hot berthing” system. This gives transient boaters moorage in slips owned by fishing vessels who are away. We received our slip assignment and entered behind the breakwater in Bar Harbor South. For the first time all day the wind whipped up along with the current rushing in with the incoming 18 foot tide. While we searched for the numbers on the fingers of the dock, Don struggled to keep Hermitage in the middle, between giant outboard motors on sport fishing vessels, and large trawlers that obstructed the view of the slip numbers.

Once we found the slip, we tried to turn in, but the wind and current swept Hermitage onto the opposite side, dangerously close to those big outboards. I threw down a fender and tried to fend off with the boat hook. A long painful screeeech of the metal against the hull produced some angst until we could clear off enough to get into the next slip past the one assigned to us. A kind gentleman came out of his boat to help fend off and went to catch our lines as we finally eased the bow in.

These moments seem like forever and never leave the mind of the Skipper and crew, makin us feel rattled and exhausted. The guy who helped us suggested that we were a big boat for that slip, and that he could not have been able to do what we did and recover without major damage to any boats. Such kind words. I reassured Don that these things happen to any boater, especially when entering unfamiliar harbors in unfavorable conditions.

After a stiff scotch and a warm meal, the Skipper and I debriefed and reflected on ways to deal with the situation and how to improve the docking experience. Short of vowing never to go into crowded marinas and live at anchor for the entire trip, we agreed to sleep on it and come up with more solutions in the morning.

So yes you can, in Ketchikan, like anywhere, have trouble docking, no trouble swearing, or being embarrassed, frustrated and humbled.

Click on link below for chart of Prince Rupert to Ketchikan

http://www.searunners.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Screenshot-2017-02-10-01.21.28.png