Ketchikan to Prince Rupert Southbound

July 8, 2012

Another rainy day in Ketchikan as Jon & Susanne take a final sightseeing walk and pack for their return flight on Alaska Airlines.  We were disappointed that the water taxi is no longer in business, but we were able to arrange a conventional taxi even with 5 cruise ships in town.

The balance of the day was spent on boat maintenance in preparation for the return south across Dixon Entrance.

July 9, 2012

After a long training walk Patrick changed the oil in the generator and in the process discovered a leaking shaft seal on the raw water pump, another item for the fall maintenance schedule.  Patrick also discovered what appears to be pinhole leaks in the main engine fiberglass exhaust pipe, a problem that has been reported by other Selene owners.  Again, something for fall, the list is getting long.

The rain stopped for a while and we went for a lunch of Halibut and Chips downtown, eating them in “Fat Sam’s” pub.  The halibut was delicious.  Then the rains began in earnest and finally quit sometime before dawn.

July 10, 2012

After a training walk of three miles we got underway for the fuel dock shortly after 0800.  After putting 540 gallons of fuel on board we headed out under clearing skies for Foggy Bay, arriving at 1350 under sunny skies.  Along the way we were treated to some last views of humpback whales and a few Dall Porpoises.  The skies were clear but the wind was too cold to sit outside.  Dave and Rose Banks from the Jeanneau 42DS “Wind Rose” came over for drinks.  We met them in Meyers Chuck a few days ago.  He is also recently retired from Boeing.

July 11, 2012

Foggy Bay emptied out early, with the last boats leaving behind us shortly after 0500.  The seas were relatively calm, with 10 knots of wind and a low westerly swell.  Staying a little over one mile offshore to avoid the gill netters we crossed into Canada at 0730 Alaska time, 0830 PDT and by 1300 PDT we were tied up at the Prince Rupert Rowing and Yacht Club waiting for our customs clearance appointment time to expire, which happened at 1315, so we were cleared!  Patrick began the search for possible repair parts for the main engine exhaust system, but with no success.

We had made a dinner reservation for the Cow Bay Café and the food was excellent, as usual.  Miriam had halibut and Patrick had a tenderloin steak, accompanied by a Malbec wine from Argentina and followed by desserts.

July 12, 2012

The day began with dense fog which cleared by 0915 and the rest of the day was sunny, but windy.  Patrick continued the search for parts, but again, no success.  Meanwhile Miriam shopped for fresh fruits and vegetables which we could not bring across the border.

We plan on leaving early in the morning and continuing south.  The winds are predicted to get to gale force from the NW by Saturday, but we should be OK on the inside passages and hopefully the ridge of high pressure will move east and let us get across Queen Charlotte Sound (Cape Caution).  There will only be limited cell phone coverage until we get to Port McNeill in about one week.