A note regarding speed: we are averaging around 7K through the first few weeks. A nautical mile is 1.15 vs. a mile of roadway, with the difference representing the curvature of the earth's surface (on sea) vs. a road (on flat ground). So 7K in a boat is akin to 8MPH in a car. Seaquel's top speed is around 20K (23MPH); but we typically cruise much slower (especially since retirement). Our flotilla has kept it slow to maximize fuel efficiency since we are spanning immense distances, but the slower speed has additional advantages: 1) more likely to see debris like logs and deadheads in the water; 2) more likely to spot wildlife along the way. The added "time" spent at the helm traveling at 7K vs. 10K or 15K not only translates into less fuel stops and less chance of damaging a prop; but provides us more "window" time to see Bald Eagles, Whales, Bear, Deer, and Otter (among other wildlife) which is a big reason we have made this journey in the first place. On the occasional crossing where we want to minimize our exposure to rough water, we have kicked up the speed to 12K or 14K, but we've been fortunate to be blessed with overall fantastic conditions so keeping it slow & steady seems to maximize the experience we are seeking.
Glen in Journey heading out of Petersburg's large marina in search of our next destination. Leaving Petersburg, our next city is Sitka, nearly a full week away. We will need to be efficient with our resources until our next opportunity for fuel, water, and provisions.
Morning fog burning off in the Alaska sun (no, not a typo: SUN in Alaska!)
Another benefit to slower cruising: it is more compatible for multi-tasking, like taking pictures, chatting on the VHF, trying to pick up NOAA weather, etc. Or sometimes just listening to music. I carry a vast assortment of music on board with iTunes, and sometimes it can be magical to find the right music to match the mood on the water. Today, with sun emerging and in the long-range forecast, that happened to be the Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, and Bob Marley. Couldn't help but note the appropriateness of this Parrot-head song lyric: "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, nothing remains quite the same. Through all of the islands and all of the highlands, If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane"
Portage Bay is not so much a destination as a "rest stop" to spend the night and put us in easy reach of our next few anchorages which we highly anticipate, as they are written up as representing some of the quintessential experience of what SE Alaska has to offer. Until then...
~Mark
No comments:
Post a Comment