Vancouver Island to Glacier Bay

[CharlieN]

How about this Sea Ray adventure. A trip to Alaska starting at Bellingham Washington. We did it this summer beginning June 24 and ending Aug 17 in our SeaRay Sundancer 268 with 502 gas engine and a 100 gallon gas tank. We decided to trailer to Vancouver Island. We launched June 24 and met 4 other boats in Port McNeill. Our first day out was across the open water around Cape Caution- just a little unnerving after reading all the guide books but turned out smooth this day. We worked our way all the way up to Glacier Bay by July 23. We had submitted for a permit to enter Glacier Bay National Park 60 days prior. Glacier Bay was a magical place. Wildlife was abundant. Moose and bear walking down the trail in front of the lodge. From the tour boat: killer whales with new borns, Steller sea lions, sea otters, all kinds of birds and brown bears. Another high light was the bears of Anan Bay only reachable by boat. Lots of bears catching fish, eagles cleaning up after them, up close with lots of great photo ops. The trip back took another 3 weeks. From Ketchakan to Prince Rupert and Fury Bay down around Cape Caution to Port McNeill were made with fog and big roller waves. Not quite as nice as on the way up. We were getting tired of the fuel expense and spending 7 weeks on the boat when we were nearing the end of the journey. About 1850 miles traveled, 1400 gallons used and $5600 in fuel costs. A priceless trip that we were glad we did but not ready to do again anytime soon.
I will try to upload some pictures.

 

[Westie]

Definitely going to need pictures. Sounds like a great trip, I’d love to do the same some day.
Makes our two weeks in the gulf islands sound like a float in the bath tub.

When I was at UBC there was a group of guys that did the same trip in kayaks.

 

[CharlieN]

A few pics

 

[Sweet Dreams]

Sounds awesome! Upload your photos onto picassa or photobucket and post the link on here. Would love to see the album.

 

[CharlieN]

I will see if I can upload somemore pictures to photobucket in the next couple days

 

[Gofirstclass]

Charlie, did I understand that right that you towed your boat from AZ to Vanc Island? That's a trip in itself. A friend who lives in Scottsdale towed his 260 Sundancer up to WA a few years ago to go on a cruise with us, but I think you now have the towing distance record.

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Can't wait to see your pics.

 

[Nehalennia]

Sounds like a trip of a lifetime. I'm anxious to see more pictures too. I'd love to go to Alaska.
My Uncle did the trip from Pt. Hardy on Vancouver Island to Ketchikan with an insane friend in his 17' SeaRay Seville about 20 years ago.

 

[CharlieN]

This was the 3rd time in the last 5 years we have towed the boat to the north west. It is not much fun but I-10 to I-5 is pretty easy and a brother-in-law to put us up helps . It also helps if you are retired and have the time.

I thought about turning around at Ketchikan but the other guys talked me out of it. I can't imagine doing this trip in a 17 foot boat.

Try this link to photobucket:
http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x142/cejlnich/Alaska-2010/

 

[highslice]

All I can say is WOW!

Thanks for sharing. Great trip!!!!

 

[Spot]

Post card pictures... and you were there.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Charlie, Nice photos. You cruised through and area we hope to make it to in the future.

BTW, what part of AZ are you from?

 

[AKBASSKING]

Hey Charlie,

Looks like you had a great time. We plan to make the trip too, except rather than coming back to Seattle we plan to go home to Whitter Alaska. Turn left at Glacier bay and head for Yakitat and over open ocean to Cordova, then accross PWS to Whittier.

Did you keep a log? How was the water on the inside passage with the tides?