Ketch us if you Kan
1743UT | 55 20.73’N 131 39.64’W
In-Port
Falken is soon to carry on our preferred route of South, back to (hopefully) warmer climates. Whilst most of the staff hail from typically cooler climates, I think we’re all a bit put out having to wear more than shorts and t-shirt and are liberal with our heater use. That said, there’s no denying Alaska is beautiful- I’m particularly enjoy our resident eagle that hangs out on the pontoon next to us.
We’re all excited to set off and see more of this wild landscape as we head down to Victoria. As things stand, it’s looking like a great forecast of lighter downwind initially to get us in the swing of things, before picking up for some downwind hooning as we sail down the west coast of Vancouver Island. A thermal trough over Vancouver combined with an offshore high pressure creating funneling NW’ly winds means it is due to be pretty fruity on the 9th. We’re forecast 35+ knots and 7-8’ short period swell, but the plan is to sneak into the Juan de Fuca strait just before this and to be honest even if we catch it, it’s no biggie for Falken and we’ll just be scooting along with our snazzy new black sails.
This passage is just under 600 miles, relatively short for Falken, but I’m sure we’ll be kept entertained with dramatic scenery, wildlife and weather!
MaryM
View more passage logs
Ketch us if you Kan
Falken is soon to carry on our preferred route of South, back to (hopefully) warmer climates. We’re all excited to set off and see more of this wild landscape as we head down to Victoria. A thermal trough over Vancouver combined with an offshore high pressure creating funneling NW’ly winds means it is due to be pretty fruity on the 9th. This passage is just under 600 miles, relatively short for Falken, but I’m sure we’ll be kept entertained with dramatic scenery, wildlife and weather!
Final Blog
Falken and her crew arrived safely into port last night around 8pm boat time, 10pm Prince Rupert time. Some spicy weather was anticipated, but luckily the 35kt gusts and 2.5 meter waves were no match for this expert crew. We had an exceptionally smooth docking, despite it being Alex's first time parking this year (!). We all agreed that this was a very special group of people—I for one am so impressed with how everyone stayed so positive, helpful, and appreciative of humor despite an arguably challenging passage. We'll all return home significantly saltier than we were when we left, a mark of a passage properly sailed.
Lessons and a Gift
The biggest lesson is the helm. The lesson here is that even if you don't think you can do it over and over again with no sleep, cold and damp, it has to be done and so it can be done. Flying fish are cool, dolphins are really really cool, but the coolest of them all are the whales. And most of all Alex: "Find your center Carla. Always know where your center is so you can come back to it". He means the helm but it applies to life as well.