sail from California to Alaska to Japan

[jacobells]

Hi there,
I am interested in taking off from the west coast this spring and heading north through B.C. and possibly to Alaska. Is it possible to continue west and southwest from Alaska to Japan?? weather windows? currents? I can't seem to find any information about people cruising this direction...

[Astrid]

You could certainly sail from California to Alaska, but you would be best off heading west several hundred miles until you catch favorable wind to take you north, then catch the westerlies to head towards British Columbia. If you try to hug the coast you will have adverse wind and currents impeding your voyage. From Alaska, sailing to Japan would also have adverse wind and current unless you proceeded well south, or took the route of visiting Japan first and then riding current and wind to Alaska. You could then head south along the BC and PNW coasts with favorable wind and current all the way to California. Either route, keep a close eye on local weather and wind direction.

[jacobells]

Thanks, Astrid!
I guess that is why most information out there is about sailing the reverse direction...

[Geoduck]

You are going in the wrong direction.
try calif - hawaii- guam -japan - alaska - bc -calif

[TOPGALLANT32]

I have (sailed/motored up from Ca many times. not a fun trip close to shore but off 250 nm much better. however you can sail and motor north through the inside/outside passage to AK and you will not find more beautiful country in the world. We have sailed out to the AK island chain but struggled with winds,currents. The route of choice is from Ca to HI to Japan or at least hi enough to get above the summer hi pressure area in the north pacific the swing up to Attu then on in. It is magnificent.