Securing the dinghy on deck for heavy weather to come
South to Canada? Sounds backwards to those of us from the lower 48, but that’s what we’re doing. After nearly two months of poking around SE Alaska, it’s time to head back.
There’s a ridge of high pressure just offshore, and that generates both sunny skies and a forecast for strong, gale-force (35 knots) winds along most of the southern Alaska and BC coasts. And to head south, we need to cross Dixon Entrance – a ~40 mile stretch of water open to the Gulf of Alaska.
Still waiting for wind…
Because of the strong wind forecast and the open water, we take some extra steps for the trip. Instead of lifting the dinghy on our solar arch (where it could be susceptible to a large breaking wave), we unload its contents and strap it down securely to the foredeck. We start the trip at 6am, since the winds are typically lighter in the morning.
Cleared through Customs back into Canada, and then raised the Canadian courtesy flag from our starboard spreader
In the end, it turns out that the gale-force winds don’t materialize, and we have a gentle crossing in maximum winds of 15 knots. We easily clear customs and head to Edith Harbour, a beautiful anchorage on the south tip of Dundas Island.
Beautiful Edith Harbour on the south tip of Dundas Island – this feels like the middle of nowhere
