Alaskan Sea-Duction: Pender to Port McNeill

On our travels to the north, we are staying at places we have been before in 2016 and 2017. We have anchored in most places and used a dock in others. Docking allows us to hook up to electric to top off the batteries, access to fresh water to do laundry and wash the salt off the boat. We have done both at Pender Harbor. Garden Bay disappointed us. The dock was not in very good shape with moorage fees at over $80 a night! Not that I think it is overly high, but for this price you expect some kind of services such as trash, someone to meet you at the dock etc. The restaurant at the head of the dock offered a plain western menu (Hamburgers, wings ). The new owners are Asian and an Asian menu would have been great.

As is always the case you meet new folks along the way. This was the case with Brad and Teresa Clarke. Brad made a commit about my scotch and cigar and that got him an immediate invite. Brad got his choice of a cigar and a glass of Monkey Shoulder. Brad was familiar with this brand of scotch! We were invited to breakfast the next morning at their home which we attended!! We plan to visit again on our way back!

The next day we steamed to Prideaux Haven in Desolation Sound. We had discussed visiting Princess Louisa again, but decided to push north. During the summer months this anchorage is super crowded! They have chains secured to the wall and stern tying is mandatory. When we arrived, there were only 3 boats and we had the place to ourselves. This is one of our favorite anchorages due to the view. This is the first place you see huge mountains. The next object was the 3 rapids, Yuculta, Gillard and Dent. All need timing. For us 1:06 PM was slack. Up here its all about current, not tide. Because of modern electronics we were able to time our arrival perfectly!!!The crossing of the rapids to Shoal Bay was a non-event, well almost.

As we entered Yuculta this big 80 foot plus yacht passed us 20 feet on the starboard!!! I laid on my train horns. The name of the boat is “Mixer” out of Sitka, AK. We will be having words. He also shut his AIS off so he would not be required to report in to the Vessel Traffic Services system. Yeah, we will be having words. I should have called him on Channel 16.

Shoal Bay we a big surprise! I expected the government dock to be crowded! We had the dock all to ourselves. Around 5 PM we wondered up to the wine shack. This is the place boaters gather for happy hour. Mark and Cynthia own the lodges and cabins. We witnessed Mark mowing the grass. Cynthia must be home and driving the whip!! Mark stopped and had a beer and yes Cynthia arrived home the day before, therefore he was working!!

The next day, May 14^th was cloudy and raining. Wow!! First rain since we started this trip. We had to close all the windows. Oh well the boat needed a fresh water rinse. The run from Shoal Bay to Port McNeill is 80 miles, about a 8 hour cruise.

Port McNeill is a fuel stop for us and restock of ship stores before heading across Cape Caution and Northern B.C. As we were approaching the Port McNeill area, Kay had mentioned she had not seen any whales or critters. About that time some white sided pacific dolphins (or porpoises) showed up to give us a quick show. Hope we see lots of critters.

We are currently on a weather hold until Friday May 17^th for the run around Cape Caution.

Numbers so far from Neah Bay to Port McNeill:

Total Fuel: 244 gallons

Total Miles: 642

Total Cost: $969.00

Price per Gal: $3.97

MPG: 2.6

Burn: 6.8 GPH