Alaskan inside passage Cruising guide ?

jbrockpiano · #1 (**permalink**) 11-13-2007

Can someone suggest a good cruising guide for the inside passage. I intend to take the trip next summer from Anacortes, Washington to Jeaneau and back. I have about ten weeks vacation time in a 30' sailboat.
Thanks

jrd22 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-14-2007

Waggoner's is the best IMHO but only goes to Prince Rupert. There are lot's of cruising guides for the inside passage, an internet search should find most of them. Get the Canadian tide and current tables, you'll need them for the rapids. Have a great trip, you'll wish you had more time.

Moonfish · #3 (**permalink**) 11-15-2007

Fine Edge Publishing has multiple guides that cover the entire trip from Seattle to Alaska. This one looked like it had everything in one volume:

http://www.fineedge.com/NAUTICAL%20B...ingroutes.html

Fair winds!

spirit2006 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008

Try the following:

Exploring the Inside Passage to Alaska by Don Douglas and Rene Hemingway Douglas Fine Edge Productions and
Charlie's Charts North to Alaska (Victoria, BC to Galcier Bay Alaska) by Charles and Margo Wood 4th ED

I agree with the above comment that accurate tide data is essential. A couple of years ago we went to the Broughton Isalnds off of the Johnstone strait and we calculated our tidal rapid crossings at slack to the minute.

We used a Reeds West Coast Almanac ]. Lots of good info and accurate data.

We are planning to leave the Hood Canal for Alaska in mid-May. We should stay in touch and make sure our paths cross at some point.

David and Jo on Spirit

jbrockpiano · #5 (**permalink**) 02-21-2008

Big fun on the horizon. Our boat is called see odder and is a 30 ' Islander sloop. We plan on leaving Anacortes around June 15. Stay in touch.

Jon

sailboy21 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008

Get every guide you can.. they all are missing a little something.

About tides and currents: The best tool by far IMO was Maptech Offshore navigator. It has tides and currents displayed in graphical form, which is an excellent help when planning some of the more difficult passes. Double check it against the almanac, but I found myself screwing up almanac offsets all the time. maptech was always dead on

Faster · #7 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008

When using the Canadian tide and current books (get the government ones) be aware there are specific volumes for specific areas. You will need volumes 5,6 and 7 and to be fully aware of each book's boundaries. Also they are in Standard time so be sure to add the hour in DST periods.

btw the data is all available free on line, print your own pages if you like:
http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/english...2008_Ang.shtml

but really the books are not expensive and it's convenient to have them on board complete.

The newer Dreamspeaker series of cruising guides will not take you all the way, but will be great to have along the inland portions of the southern BC section.

Also, an old classic "Cruising beyond Desolation Sound" (by Peter Vassilopolis) will cover the area between there and Pt Hardy before you jump across Queen Charlotte sound to the inside passage however some info may be somewhat out of date.

jrd22 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008

Good info Faster, thanks. John

LynW · #9 (**permalink**) 03-02-2008

Thanks also, guys, very helpful. I'm planning on getting up to Juneau as well by midsummer. Maybe see you there Jbrockpiano.

I've heard a rumour its necessary to book well in advance to enter some areas (parks?) around Juneau. Anyone know about this?

sailboy21 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-02-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by LynW

Thanks also, guys, very helpful. I'm planning on getting up to Juneau as well by midsummer. Maybe see you there Jbrockpiano.

I've heard a rumour its necessary to book well in advance to enter some areas (parks?) around Juneau. Anyone know about this?

Only Glacier Bay from June to end of August that I know of