Seaquel Blog - Inside Passage to Alaska

[Seaquel]

Seaquel (R27) along with Beyond (R27) and Journey (R25) are heading to Alaska via the Inside Passage from Anacortes, WA. Follow our blog at:

http://seaski5.blogspot.com/

The first couple of blog entries, prior to departure, provide background on the trip parameters, our mini-flotilla, preparations, etc. Also, we are bringing our daughter, Nicole, who has highly-involved Cerebral Palsy and normally wheel-chair bound, so we share the persoective of outfitting our Ranger Tug to accommodate her special needs. So for the next 2.5 months, Nicole has swapped her wheelchair for an R27 for the trip of a lifetime. We welcome you to share our trip, our experiences, our unique perspective, and many many photos.

 

[Bruce Moore]

Outstanding job preparing Seaquel for the entire crew. We'll look forward to following your flotilla through the summer. Have a blast.

Cheers,

Bruce & Vicki

 

[Red Raven]

Thanks Mark for sharing your trip with us all! Can’t wait to see and hear about your adventures along the way.

Also, Say hi to Glen, Ollie, and Pam from us!

 

[Cutwater28GG]

excellent! this will be fun to follow along!

by the way what model of Sea Eagle is that?
Would love your perspectives on the model and in fact if you could only have one between the Tower SUP and the Sea Eagle: which would you purchase and why?

 

[baz]

Thanks.... will be following you for sure. Take care and enjoy the trip. 🙂

 

[Seaquel]

excellent! this will be fun to follow along!

by the way what model of Sea Eagle is that?
Would love your perspectives on the model and in fact if you could only have one between the Tower SUP and the Sea Eagle: which would you purchase and why?

The Sea Eagle kayak is the Razorlite 393rl Pro Solo, the 1st inflatable kayak that is 100% drop stitch technology. Provides outstanding rigidity, and is narrower and faster than other inflatable kayaks, and weighs only 33.5 lb. Easy to stow up on the sport racks as one-man operation. You give up some stability vs. wider kayaks, but if you are experienced at all with kayaking that is a good trade off. As far as kayaks go, advantages of this model are: 1) big enough as 1-person kayak to still fit my 70 lb. Golden Retreiver (and weight capacity is 500 lb.); 2) narrow enough to fit nicely on sport rack without interfering with solar panel; 3) light enough for one person to lift up to sport rack; 4) durability of materials to withstand beaching.

Choosing BETWEEN the Sea Eagle vs. Tower SUP board would be tough as they share many characteristics. It would come down to who you ask or what kind of use you plan. If you asked my wife, she would pick the Sea Eagle because it is a dry ride, more secure. For me, big advantage as a photographer, is taking my camera on the Sea Eagle vs. the SUP.

On the other hand, the SUP is incredibly versatile. I added extra D-ring attachment points so I can attach a kayak seat, and it works great as a traditional sit-on-top kayak as well as Stand-Up paddling. I am a rower, and also attach a slide-seat rowing rig (google “Oar Board”) and I now have a “rowing scull”! 3 in 1 versatility is hard to beat, and even lighter than the Sea Eagle at 25 lb., yet stable enough my dog joins me for SUP paddling as well.

For Alaska, if I had to choose only one, it would have been the Sea Eagle because of prevalence of colder weather/water, a drier ride than the SUP which you are more likely to get wet. Also, for Alaska I did not bring the rowing rig as some bulk/weight had to be sacrificed. But if I was going to Desolation Sound or all points South of there, my choice may be the SUP because of 3 in 1 versatility.

If we could not fit all supplies for this Alaska trip, the SUP would have been left home to allow space for a 2nd Rocket Box up top. Fortunately (amazingly) we fit everything needed for our 4-person crew (including canine member) on our R27 so I did not have to make that tough choice, as carrying both inflatables means more types of activity, plus both my wife and I can paddle together with two units and get great exercise.

As a kayak, and as a SUP board, I could not recommend either boat more strongly, and the combination of both provides nearly limitless paddling/rowing options.

 

[Craig]

Wow! You four are amazing. We will be looking forward to hearing your story in person when you return. Safe travels and calm waters are our prayers for all of you. Enjoy the journey!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[adventres]

Can't wait to read more of your trip! Have fun everyone!
Lisa

 

[Cutwater28GG]

thanks - great info!

 

[a_nyc_scott]

Thank you for bringing us along on your adventure! A trip up the inside passage is on my "to do" list!

I'm not sure if you've visited the web site http://www.slowboat.com . If not I highly recommend it. It is written by a couple (Laura Domela and Kevin Morris) who have a Nordic Tug 34 and their friend (Sam Landsman) who has a Nordic Tug 37. Each summer they lead a "flotilla" of boats up the inside passage. They are just finishing up a journey now. One of the participants in this year's flotilla is a 2017 Ranger Tug CB29 "Rhapsody"! What makes this web site so appealing is that one of the flotilla leaders (Laura Domela) is a professional photographer (and a pretty amazing cook). Their website has stunning photography and their daily updates on the cruise is filled with wonderful recipes.

As the saying goes, may you have fair winds and following seas!

Scott

 

[Seaquel]

Hi Scott,

Yes, I am a big fan of Slowboat. They also have a video for planning your own trip to Alaska that is highly detailed and I highly recommend it!

I've met Sam, and he is very supportive of our blog and our mission to share our experience, including bringing someone with disabilities to experience this vast wilderness. Sam graciously agreed to allow me to post occasional pictures from the Slowboat blog that provide the "bird's eye" view from their drones, since I do not have that capability. In the weeks ahead I will likely show that unique perspective, with appropriate photo credit to Slowboat.

Thanks,

 

[Seaquel]

Seaquel (R27) along with Beyond (R27) and Journey (R25) are heading to Alaska via the Inside Passage from Anacortes, WA. Follow our blog at:

http://seaski5.blogspot.com/

The first couple of blog entries, prior to departure, provide background on the trip parameters, our mini-flotilla, preparations, etc. Also, we are bringing our daughter, Nicole, who has highly-involved Cerebral Palsy and normally wheel-chair bound, so we share the persoective of outfitting our Ranger Tug to accommodate her special needs. So for the next 2.5 months, Nicole has swapped her wheelchair for an R27 for the trip of a lifetime. We welcome you to share our trip, our experiences, our unique perspective, and many many photos.

Arriving in Prince Rupert today, our jumping off point for Ketchikan /Alaska and we are 2 days ahead of schedule. No cell service for most of past week, so catching up on blog and pictures. Check our link for recent updates.

 

[Seaquel]

Seaquel (R27) along with Beyond (R27) and Journey (R25) are heading to Alaska via the Inside Passage from Anacortes, WA. Follow our blog at:

http://seaski5.blogspot.com/

The first couple of blog entries, prior to departure, provide background on the trip parameters, our mini-flotilla, preparations, etc. Also, we are bringing our daughter, Nicole, who has highly-involved Cerebral Palsy and normally wheel-chair bound, so we share the persoective of outfitting our Ranger Tug to accommodate her special needs. So for the next 2.5 months, Nicole has swapped her wheelchair for an R27 for the trip of a lifetime. We welcome you to share our trip, our experiences, our unique perspective, and many many photos.

Arriving in Prince Rupert today, our jumping off point for Ketchikan /Alaska and we are 2 days ahead of schedule. No cell service for most of past week, so catching up on blog and pictures. Check our link for recent updates.

Another updated posted to our Alaska blog per link above...

 

[Olytuggers]

We are so enjoying cruising along with you through your blog! Thanks for sharing your great adventure.

Dan and Lois Cheney
North Star
R27 Classic

 

[NorthernFocus]

We are so enjoying cruising along with you through your blog! Thanks for sharing your great adventure.

Ditto. We've still not made it down to Southeast so find your coverage interesting. Thanks for taking the time to share.

 

[Seaquel]

Seaquel (R27) along with Beyond (R27) and Journey (R25) are heading to Alaska via the Inside Passage from Anacortes, WA. Follow our blog at:

http://seaski5.blogspot.com/

The first couple of blog entries, prior to departure, provide background on the trip parameters, our mini-flotilla, preparations, etc. Also, we are bringing our daughter, Nicole, who has highly-involved Cerebral Palsy and normally wheel-chair bound, so we share the persoective of outfitting our Ranger Tug to accommodate her special needs. So for the next 2.5 months, Nicole has swapped her wheelchair for an R27 for the trip of a lifetime. We welcome you to share our trip, our experiences, our unique perspective, and many many photos.

Arriving in Prince Rupert today, our jumping off point for Ketchikan /Alaska and we are 2 days ahead of schedule. No cell service for most of past week, so catching up on blog and pictures. Check our link for recent updates.

Another updated posted to our Alaska blog per link above...

We had arrived in Sitka with good cell service, so trying to get caught up on blog posts. See link for recent postings. All well!

 

[Seaquel]

Days #17 & #18 of our Alaska blog, Portage Bay to Chapin Bay, and Chapin Bay to amazing Red Bluff Bay, are now published per attached link:

http://seaski5.blogspot.com

Our small flotilla of three Ranger Tugs: two R27 "Classic" and one R25 SC "Classic" (all diesels) are doing amazingly well, as these boats are proving a match for the rigors of this 2.5 month, 3,000 mile Alaskan journey.

~Mark

 

[Ernie]

Those pictures talked me into making this trip. Those are such terrific shots.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Thanks for sharing your wonderful adventure.

Jim F

 

[NorthernFocus]

There's some excellent photography posted in the blog. Looks like you guys are having a blast.