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kayakingbear · 09-01-2010, 19:19

I have spent the last three years so far, and will do another season this year, circumnavigating all the islands and mainland of SE Alaska's Inside Passage. So far, have cruised about 3,700 nautical miles - a lot single handed.

So so info and pics:

http://kayakingbear.com/Alaska2008__MG_5975.jpg

I started off in Alaska kayaking of all things. Wow, what a place to do that. The first time was in 1992 where I traded a six pack of beer for three days with a kayak off Point Adolphus with the whales. What a deal that was!

So in 1994, I kayaked by myself for 1000 miles over a five month period following the route of John Muir when he discovered Glacier Bay. Unlike Vancouver, by then there was actually a bay and not just a block of ice.

Then I left the area for time in Seattle and back in Texas then in 2006 went back up to kayak for a season and start circumnavigating my way south, knowing each year I would start off where I left off. But the first year was full of bears from that winter as Alaska was dumped on with a heck of a snowfall and the bears were primarily around the shorelines and fighting each other for space much less someone coming through and setting up camp, so after a few very interesting encounters, I went to Juneau to buy my first boat.

Here is a link that some may find interesting:

Sports | A Lengthy Paddle South -- Solo Kayaker Wary Of Waves, Bears On Trip From Juneau | Seattle Times Newspaper

ANYWAY...

I used the Uniflite 34 twin screw gas for that season, barged it to Seattle, worked on a few things and decided to sell it. And that is when I bought my second boat...

m/v SeaQuil which is a play on words and could just very well be the Sequel. But I like my version better... But this boat is a 27' Albin Family Cruiser with aft cabin. I put a new top for the kayaks and canvased the boat and added all new systems and a Wabasto Heater and a 10 inch Hummingbird plotter and barged that back to Alaska for the second season which was also used for the third season and now this year will be the fourth season, third for my new baby - the SeaQuil.

I did modify as well the battery compartment and moved all batteries under the helm and added a custom 50 gal. diesel tank for a back up tank to the port and starboard 38 gal tanks so I have now an effective range of 700 nautical miles if I use the Wabasto heater on and off.

By having a single screw over the twin screw gas Uniflite 34, I have full confidence in maneuvering the single screw and docking, better fuel economy, easier maintenance, and with a slightly less draft and weight and less beam, can take this little pocket cruiser anywhere.

I have great ground tackle - and have anchored in 45 knot winds off Pt. Adolphus and slept soundly. I have never drifted or slipped anchor. I use a Rocna anchor, 40' of 5/8 chain and half inch line. I can pull the anchor by hand and do, no windless... and have anchored where others dare not and have had no problems.

I can tell you all about cruising the Inside Passage up there. And have met with and talked with a lot of Captains in the area as well as Charter owners and sailboaters. So if you have questions feel free to ask what I may know about this area or what works or what does not. I will do the best I can to answer before I head out again this year for my final season.

And how bad has it ever gotten for me? Coming out of Pheale's Passage I hit and rode out 13-14 foot seas and made my way down to Sitka. I have kayaked in 13 foot seas and so guess being in the Albin was actually drier than the kayak. I think the Albin can handle more than the Captain! And that is the way it should be. The boat being the better of the two.

I have taken over 20,000 photos thus far, in fact lost count. I have had whales, eagles, orcas, moose, bears and bears and more bears... and have a lot of stories about all of this. I can tell you of the bear that bit holes in the back of my dinghy and how it took three weeks to repair but kept using it to haul around two of us on two of three filled chambers... and go on and on.

Last year, kayaking - I had a whale lift me and move me some 6-10 feet and set me back down, that was way too cool. Man have I seen and done a lot and am so blessed.

All in all, have around 15,000 sea hours I guess by now. Maybe more.

So anyway... if anyone needs to ask anything, let me know...

Tides? Areas? What to expect or find or whatever... I am a chatty catty.

Thanks all.

Randal

delmarrey · 09-01-2010, 21:39

Welcome aboard Randal. Your a different kind of cruiser but still one indeed.

Great story and I can relate to the bear situation. Had some encounters close to Cordova years ago. S&W 357's make great noise makers.

Like the SeaQuil looks like a great boat for the area!