Arctic Traveller
Guru
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2007
- Messages
- 607
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Arctic Traveller
- Vessel Make
- Defever 49 RPH
I was recently invited by Nomad Willy to stop for a visit in Thorne Bay Alaska.* Since I have passed by there numerous times with out stopping, I figured it was time.* The entrance is a bit tricky requiring one to pay attention as its narrow, has a few rocks for interest, and a possible current just to keep you on your toes.* Still, Its well marked and the chart seems accurate.* Once inside a typical Alaskan scene unfolds.* Well, perhaps not typical, but quite scenic.* Both shores are lined with float houses of all descriptions from floating shacks to upscale dwellings. *Additionally, there are several lodges along the shores, and a large (200 ft?) floating camp barge.* Well, I assume it was floating once, but now it *partly on the bottom, bring pulled up on shore as far as possible to prevent its total loss.* All in all, its a very nautical scene, and quite interesting.* The harbor is not well marked on the chart, but a little detective work determined it was at the head of the bay.* The guest docks were empty, so we had no problem finding a spot, but due to it being Sunday, there was no harbor master to be found, and no shore power.* Once we were settled in Eric and Christine came by for a visit and a tour.* After a little wine, we all piled in Erics car for a tour of the town.* Thorne Bay is one of those towns you can see in about five minutes, and the tour ended at their lovely house for a home cooked meal.* Before dinner, Mr Nomad showed us some of his photo collection, and it tells quite a story.* It seems he has had an interesting life, with some highlights as a boat designer and builder, an ultra light and hang glider pilot, *teacher on a remote Canadian Island,* radio operator, photographer and lots more.* All in all it was a very interesting visit.* If you want to really get the flavor of a small Alaskan town, Thorne Bay certainly fits the bill, and Mr Nomad is a great host.****
The following morning, we departed around ten,* and headed for Petersburg.* Once out in Clarence Straight, I thought we had stumbled into a log yard by mistake.* Due to the recent huge tides there was an enormous amount of debris in the water, mostly logs.* It was impossible to go more than a few minutes without encountering several of them, often times requiring a complete stop before pushing through, or making a 90 degree turn to go around.* *Still, the current was with us, and we went through Snow Pass at over 12 knots, up from our normal 6 knots.* Our joy was short lived though, as once we turned the corner towards Wrangle Narrows, we met an opposing current that nearly brought us to a complete stop, so we decided call it a night in St Johns Harbor, a nice little anchorage.*
The following day, we rode the flood into Wrangle Narrows, but since the flood meets in the middle, we ended up fighting the flood mid way.* By the time we got to Petersburg, we were fighting a 4kt current.* Running about 30 feet off the shore got us in the counter current though, but we could only do that for a short distance before being forced into the main channel again.* We clawed our way out though, and had a nice rounding of Cape Fanshaw, a place that can really kick your butt if you attempt a passage in the wrong conditions.** We spent the night at Hobart Bay, and the following morning we headed for Juneau.* The roughest part of the trip was at the end, while crossing Taku Inlet.* Again following the shoreline as close as possible gets you out of the outflow winds for a bit, but eventually one needs to start across, and it was a windy (35 to 40kts), boisterous crossing.** Fortunately, it only lasted about 45 minutes, and the stabilizers took most of the roll out.*
All in all, it was a great trip, and the stop at Thorne Bay is highly recommended.* **Thanks for the hospitality Mr Nomad..Arctic Traveller
The following morning, we departed around ten,* and headed for Petersburg.* Once out in Clarence Straight, I thought we had stumbled into a log yard by mistake.* Due to the recent huge tides there was an enormous amount of debris in the water, mostly logs.* It was impossible to go more than a few minutes without encountering several of them, often times requiring a complete stop before pushing through, or making a 90 degree turn to go around.* *Still, the current was with us, and we went through Snow Pass at over 12 knots, up from our normal 6 knots.* Our joy was short lived though, as once we turned the corner towards Wrangle Narrows, we met an opposing current that nearly brought us to a complete stop, so we decided call it a night in St Johns Harbor, a nice little anchorage.*
The following day, we rode the flood into Wrangle Narrows, but since the flood meets in the middle, we ended up fighting the flood mid way.* By the time we got to Petersburg, we were fighting a 4kt current.* Running about 30 feet off the shore got us in the counter current though, but we could only do that for a short distance before being forced into the main channel again.* We clawed our way out though, and had a nice rounding of Cape Fanshaw, a place that can really kick your butt if you attempt a passage in the wrong conditions.** We spent the night at Hobart Bay, and the following morning we headed for Juneau.* The roughest part of the trip was at the end, while crossing Taku Inlet.* Again following the shoreline as close as possible gets you out of the outflow winds for a bit, but eventually one needs to start across, and it was a windy (35 to 40kts), boisterous crossing.** Fortunately, it only lasted about 45 minutes, and the stabilizers took most of the roll out.*
All in all, it was a great trip, and the stop at Thorne Bay is highly recommended.* **Thanks for the hospitality Mr Nomad..Arctic Traveller
