Blog #2:
Shaking down the boat - 
While trying not to shake the new camera gear...

Prepping for a trip like this is a huge undertaking.  Even more so with special needs for Nicole.  But it is also a lot of fun seeking creative solutions to challenges like providing comfortable and safe accommodations for Nicole, and the extra stowage space needed for her supplies.  Here is an abbreviated list of key renovations (among dozens) we did to our 4-year old boat during the winter in readying Seaquel for this trip, with the larger projects aimed at accommodating Nicole's needs being away from home for almost 3 months:

• Hard Top - custom fiberglass roof replaces collapsible canvas bimini top.  Allows additional stowage space above (including rails to mount Rocket Box, in addition to kayak and SUP board); and sturdier for the wind and wetter climate of SE Alaska.  Also note below pics of the St. Croix Mini Crane davit we had previously added (thanks, Glen!).  This allows easy access on/off of Seaquel for Nicole using a similar method used at home with use of a sling to lift Nicole safely.

 Storing nearly 3 months of supplies for three people and a dog on a 27' boat is a challenge enough.

But managing Nicole's incontinence and special dietary needs (not shown) add to the puzzle.

Shown above: 6 weeks of supplies, not including her liquid formula for nutrition,

which is heavier and stowed low under the V-Berth up front for better weight distribution.

Would not have enough stowage space without the Rocket Box.

A friend generously gave us a 2nd Roof-Top Box and we could've left a kayak or SUP Board

at home to fit two for even more stowage.  But we made it fit with just one,

and this way we have the necessities and get to bring all the toys too!

Installed a drop-down ladder for easy access topside to the Rocket Box.

Six weeks of Nicole's special needs supplies fit into the this new storage space;

we are shipping the other half of her supplies to Juneau, to be picked up in early July.

Up, up, and away!  Nicole's version of an amusement park ride!

Note: Moxie is supervising the operation!

Nicole...just hangin' out!

Nicole's smile says it all:"All aboard: outta that wheelchair and up on the boat,we've got places to explore!!!"

• Nicole's custom jogger - No room for Nicole's bulky and heavy wheelchair.  No problem for Peggy: another generous soul gifted this jogger to Nicole; and Peggy utilized her seamstress skills to adapt it to Nicole's unique needs, featuring custom shape,reinforced webbing, cushions, and a removable sun/rain hood.  Collapses and stows under the V-berth.

Nicole stylin' in her custom jogger that will give her access to explore the historic towns

 and Native American Culture of Alaska.Seaquel looks so small on the water,
but looks huge in our boat garage!

• Mid-berth with Diesel Heat for Nicole - we created an entirely new bunk space for Nicole, added a 3rd heater duct from the Webasto diesel heater so Nicole now has the warmest cabin on the boat.  Peggy and I tag-teamed this project: I did the diesel plumbing and bunk carpentry; Peggy made it all look professional with fitted cover boasting a striking nautical theme.  Critically, the design still allows for storage space below, accessed beneath the bunk as well as added teak doors forward so no storage space was lost.  She is still a 27 footer, but Seaquel feels bigger now!

Final touch for Nicole's bunk: her own DVD player for those beloved "I Love Lucy" re-runs that keeps Nicole in stitches!

Not shown: added 12V outlet to run Nicole's hydration pump during the night; and also to power her DVD player.

• Forward V-berth for Peggy & Mark - by moving Nicole from the most spacious bed to one custom-fit for her needs, we get to move from sharing the convertible dinette bed that is more suitable for one human being than two.  Not having to squeeze onto a single-size bed, let alone having to set up and take down daily, is a big gain for such a long journey.  Peggy designed a custom "Soft Cabinet" to store clothes.  Peggy is a wizard with material, zippers, and thread! Yes, all of our clothes (except rain gear) fit into this unit for both of us, and does not infringe on the spacious bed!  Also added a 2" memory foam cushion with custom cover as a topper.  A little bobbing on the water, and we'll sleep like babies!

Shake-down trips are essential, to ensure everything old and new is working.  Experienced Alaska cruisers say the biggest mistake you can make is to undertake changes to your boat just in time for departure but without time for sea trials.  Weather and sea conditions in Northern British Columbia and SE Alaska can be punishing, so best to try to "break equipment" closer to home by putting through trials rather than discover an overlooked problem far from any services.

It helps that beautiful scenery is less than an hour cruise from our home port of Anacortes.  Here are views from our first shake-down cruise in May to one of our favorite local anchorages at Watmough Bay on the Southern tip of Lopez Island:

Note: Mt. Erie is the largest feature in the distance, and we live at the base of that 1,200' mountain

so you can see how close to home this beautiful anchorage is!
And the little white spec at the mouth of the bay is Seaquel on anchor.

 Note: Seaquel sporting her aft hard-top for the first time. Success: she did not roll over from being top-heavy!

Not shabby scenery for a 45 minute cruise from home, eh?  (Sorry, couldn't resist as I'm practicing my Canadian language skills.)  I never take for granted that these type of views are abundant in our "home" cruising area.  Just how close?  Often when we launch in the morning we have breakfast on anchor at this spot.  So why do we have to travel 3,000 nautical miles to see more views in Alaska?  Well, I hope to answer that very question in the weeks and months ahead....

Working out new camera gear - I've always enjoyed nature photography since my ski bum days as a free-lance writer for ski magazines, having published numerous articles and accompanying pictures (yes, before the internet, when "publishing" actually meant "print"!).  For this trip, I invested in new glass and to expand my boundaries for both wide-angle (panoramic scenery) and telephoto (better to capture shots of wildlife like bears, whales, etc.).  Moxie and I spent an afternoon two weeks ago looking for eagles to shoot (with the camera), and as you can see Moxie came upon one first:

 Pretty amazing to live in an area where you can drive 5 minutes; hike for 30 minutes,
and be assured of finding the wildlife you are aiming for - and not be disappointed.

 Lesson learned: here is a great action shot opportunity - TWO Bald Eagles teaming up against an agitated Oyster Catcher in flight.
But fumbling with my new tripod and gimbal mountI did not get the shot I wanted as I had to shoot free-hand while zooming with a 600MM lens.

Great idea; bad execution.  Hopefully this practice on the local wildlife will allow for better results

with Grizzly Bears and Humpback Whales in the weeks ahead!

Shake-downs on Seaquel are now done (with the camera too); tomorrow we splash into the water at Cornet Bay, Whidbey Island.  Alaska, here we come!

~Mark