2019 Fast Boat cruise to Alaska

Fuel stops - here are a couple of posts I made a few years ago. Still mostly correct, I think.



Inside Passage – Distance between fuel stops 2/15/2010

Longest distance between fuel stops:

We've wandered pretty much all over the Inside Passage in BC and SE Alaska, in all sorts of different directions. Sitka, Elfin Cove, Glacier Bay, Juneau, Haines, Skagway, and most points south of there.

Distances are from tested routes in my chartplotter. They're in Nautical Miles. To convert NM to statute miles, multiply by 1.15.

You can get to most places you'd want to go in a small boat if you can COMFORTABLY (with a good reserve to handle weather changes etc) go 140 nautical miles on a tank. If you have 200-300 NM range you have a lot more flexibility in your routes, but I don't think there's anywhere much more than 140 NM from the next fuel stop. Many are a lot closer together than that.

One place which would take significantly longer range to get to is the fancy glaciers up at the end of the Tracy Arm, the entrance of which (assume at Tracy Arm Cove, the anchorage just inside Holkham Bay) is about 55 NM south from downtown Juneau, or 70 NM from Auke Bay. The run up to the glaciers from Tracy Arm Cove is 26 NM each way. So you'd need about 160-190 NM range, depending on where you start and end up.

Some of the other longest runs between fuel stops:

Petersburg-Juneau (downtown): 120 NM

Petersburg-Sitka: 153 NM, but you could stop for fuel at Angoon (some days) or Tenakee Springs (by going out of your way)

Auke Bay-Sitka (via Peril Strait): 131 NM

Hoonah-Sitka (via Peril Strait): 126NM

Glacier Bay, Bartlett Cove-Margerie Glacier and back: minimum about 130 NM, depending on where you anchor overnight.

Shearwater-Prince Rupert: 170-180 NM, but you could stop for fuel at Klemtu or Hartley Bay.



9/29/2011 – Fuel Stops on the Inside Passage


There are lots of fuel docks in the San Juans, Gulf Islands, and along the BC mainland on the east side of the Strait of Georgia. There's fuel at Campbell River and a few other places in the Desolation Sound area. North of there fuel docks are further apart.

There are fuel stops on the west side of Vancouver Island, but I'm not current on that area.

We've been cruising mostly SE Alaska the last few summers, so may not be current on BC fuel dock changes - I've heard that some have closed down rather than upgrade facilities as required. The Waggoner Guide may be a good source of more current BC info. But, here are some we know of:

Broughtons and Queen Charlotte Strait:

Lagoon Cove
Pierre's at Echo Bay
Port McNeill
Sullivan Bay
Port Hardy

BC North Coast:

Duncanby Landing
Dawson's Landing
Bella Bella
Shearwater
Bella Coola
Klemtu
Hartley Bay
Kitimat
Prince Rupert

SE Alaska:

Ketchikan
Thorne Bay
Wrangell
Petersburg
Kake
Point Baker
Angoon (M-F, I think)
Tenakee Springs
Sitka
Craig
Juneau
Hoonah
Bartlett Cove (Glacier Bay)
Elfin Cove
Pelican
Haines
Skagway


Not positive, but I believe most if not all of these have both gas and diesel.
 
Well, that is food for some careful thought. There may be some slow days to improve mileage.
 
Does anyone else want to sign up for the Waggoner Seminar "Cruising the Inside Passage to Alaska"? The class is 3 days in Anacortes, Mar 16-18. Cost is $225 per person or $395 for two.

Here is a link to the seminar description:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cruising-t ... 30?aff=es2

I am definitely going to attend but if someone else were interested we could get the two ticket deal. Let me know by Monday if anyone else is interested.

Jim
 
Also, from someone that is thinking about going can I get an email address, really from everyone at some point but for now just one.

I would like to try and set up sharing on Google Drive and need someone to work with me on this. The first step is an email address. Mine is below.

I am up in Friday Harbor this weekend so may not be quick to respond but I definitely will have time to try and set this up.

Let me know,

Thanks,

Jim
jim@jimwahomes.com
 
also what cruise speed are you guys thinking with the O/B's?
 
I was looking at fuel bladders. We need a bit more detailed planning before we'll know if it will be necessary.

As far as cruising speed, based on the boats we are talking about I would think 18-25 mph when prudent and possible.

That seems to be the sweet spot for fuel consumption based on what I am hearing from folks.

Jim
 
We are also planning to be up there during that time and since wedo not have the luxury of 4-6 weeks we plan to trailer to Prince Rupert and make a loop south to North and back. We did this in the fall to Port McNeil and spent about 11 days in the Broughton's. It worked so well hoping to replicate the approach for Norhern BC Coast and SE Alaska. If anyone else has time constraints it might be an option. Figure we can make the drive from Everett to Prince Rupert in 1.5 days.
 
Here are some of my thoughts based upon my trip to Alaska last summer....

I was in my R-31 and took three months exactly for the entire trip. I was a month in Alaska, and went as far north as Juneau and as far west as Sitka.

Some days were short and slow, or long and slow, some were almost at WOT all day. Those fast, long days were when I was running ahead of approaching bad weather.

I spent at least 8 days total waiting for decent weather at Port McNeill (the jump off point for the Cape Caution crossing headed north) and Prince Rupert (jumping off point for crossing Dixon Entrance headed north).

I had a really long day headed south - went from Shearwater to Port McNeill n one day. I think it’s about 120 nautical miles and as I was stuck in Shearwater waiting for a new block and tackle to be flown in, I couldn’t leave until 1:30 in the afternoon. I had to cross Cape Caution that day or get stuck again waiting days for reasonable conditions.

The point I am making is that you need to build in at least a week for weather delays. I spent at least that long, and I am infamous for heading out in pretty nasty weather :-D.

You might want to consider leaving some schedule space for those times when you want to slow down and watch whales and bears, and admire the scenery In addition, Sam makes a good point about fuel. I had to make a major detour because I had to leave early to catch the tide in Rocky Pass but the fuel truck in Kake wasn’t available that early. When I arrived the day before, no fuel was available because it was the 4th of July.

All that said, I had a great time and wouldn’t hesitate to do the trip again.
 
That is great Mark, thanks for that. I accessed it with no problems. Do you have the list of thosebsites/stops in document form? We can put that up on my Google drive and see if folks can access it.

Jim
 
Hi Mark,

I opened the map on my Macbook rather than my phone and now notice the list of stops on the left side. Obviously no need for a text list at this point then.

Any idea on fuel availability at these locations? Of course we will confirm going forward but it these are all reachable in a 23 with 75 Gallons of fuel we would have a great list to start.

Jim
 
I'll add a layer using NewMoon's fuel stop post, can confirm and add locations as needed. Also was able to add a gpx test route so if anybody has a good route in gpx form send it to me or just add a layer to map 🙂
 
Uh oh, you had better be careful here 🙂 This is showing that you have the skills necessary to handle this part of the organization. It could become something that we all count on!

I liked the post about the option of trailering up and shortening the trip for those that might want another option. I don't think that it is in my plan but latecomers could participate as well with this idea.

Does anyone have any interest in the Waggoner Seminar on Cruising the Inside Passage to Alaska? If so, look through the thread here and let me know. We could sign up together and save a little bit of money.

Jim
 
jagizzi":t55bvpj2 said:
Does anyone else want to sign up for the Waggoner Seminar "Cruising the Inside Passage to Alaska"? The class is 3 days in Anacortes, Mar 16-18. Cost is $225 per person or $395 for two.

Here is a link to the seminar description:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cruising-t ... 30?aff=es2

I am definitely going to attend but if someone else were interested we could get the two ticket deal. Let me know by Monday if anyone else is interested.

Jim
Hi Jim
Looks like good source of info. we're a bit to far away to make it, should be fun
also, started to add fuel stop on map. anybody can add locations
markalangoldsmith@gmail.com
🙂
 
Hey folks,

I am signed up for the Points North Seminar with Ranger, by Sam Landsman, and also for the Waggoner Seminar on Cruising the Inside Passage.

A great resource that is available online is Sam Landsmans new site, Slowboat.com. You can watch their entire series of videos, and so far they are awesome!!! Just some great information on prepartation, spares etc. They are also available on YouTube.

Unbelievably good resource for planning a trip of this type.

I just thought that I would share that.

Jim
 
By the way, I am wanting to go all the way to Glacier Bay and back, so I may have to keep chugging along once we get to Petersburg...
 
A cruise to Alaska would fulfill a 30 year dream! Put us on the list. We get our R-23 in 3 more sleeps! So much to explore and so little time.
 
Jim Gizzi
I met you on the CapSante Dock today. (Talking with Glen) Also, met you and your wife at the Points North class last week.
I would like to be considered to join your "Fast Boats to Alaska" flotilla summer of 2019. Would like to have a face-to-face chat about it before committing. Will wait until you return from your trip north with Anne Cox. My biggest concern would be my current experience level, but very motivated. Currently boating solo.
Janet Mahan
jansp51@comcast.net
 
I’ll be at poets cove for the May cruise, and wondering if others on this thread will be there
I’d love to get together for a breif chat about this trip
Anyone else?
 
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