July 21, Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert

We made it! We managed to get across Dixon Entrance after yesterdays aorted attempt. We left this morning at 0630 to take advantage of the predicte weather window. The weather bouy's were still reporting 7 foot seas but winds were down to 15 to 20. We had about 3 hours of 7 foot rollers but the wind was down and the rest of the crossing was relatively simple and easy. If these were 7 footers today, and I believe they were, yesterdays had to be 10 or 12 footers. Everyone made it across ok including Liz who fell asleep part way across. Sleep is the best defense against sea sickness if you can get there before you get sick. We picked up the speed a bit to get through the worst of it faster and probably burned all the fuel I put in in Kethcikan. We were able to maintain about 14 knots once I activated my one good trim tab and got the nose down. Without it we could not get more than 11 knots at full throttle. Trim tabs lowered the nose and made for a much smoother ride through the big stuff. We also followed Glen so he was able to smooth out the waves a bit for us which made it a bit easier and better ride.



Following Glen in 7 foot rollers

We met a couple of brothers who pulled in to Annette Bay and tied up to the float next to us last night. They had been out gill netting at the mouth of th bay when we entered. They told us that the winds kept picking up after we went past them until about an hour later they were getting concerned and guessed the wind speed to be 40 plus with gusts to 50. We actually saw a small water spout blow across the entrance of the bay out past where they were fishing. They said that we made a good decons to turn around because Dixon would be no place for anyone n a small boat tonight. They thought this was one of the worst storms of the season and the weather forcasts had not called for anything this severe. I clocked one gust at 36mph on my wind meter and that was in the shelter of the bay so I know it was blowing much harder out in the open.



Annette Bay during lull in storm


Nancy was over talking to them about fishing and must have told them of the lack o fish in our freezer because one of them brought over a couple of nice salmon for us. We invited them over for ice cream and fresh fruit which they gladly accepted. We had a great evening listening to them talk about their lives as fishermen out of the small village of Metlakatla on the island. Their entire family fishes, all five brothers as well as dad. One of them owns a house in Spanaway and both of them graduated from Bothell High School so it was like talking to neighbors. Really nice guys and enjoyable to listen to. They make a good living fishing and love Alaska.

Were sitting here in Prince Rupert tonight enjoying the warm sun and blue sky which we have not seen for a while. Nancy is cooking one of the salmon and dinner should be great.



dive bombed by a seaplane as we entered Prince Rupert

Once we leave here it may be a while before we post again as we are going to go the outside route down principal channel on the west side of Pitt island and I seriously doubt if we will have any connectivity until we are back in the area of Shearwater.