Day 81; July 19: We left Petersburg, with the intent to reach the middle of Wrangell Narrows at 9 AM. The tide meets in the middle of the narrows so you can get a current push in both halves of the narrows. If you go at the wrong time you can have as much as 6 kts current against you the whole 20 miles. We anchored at Sokolof Island tonight so we can try some Halibut fishing nearby tomorrow.

Day 82; July 20: We went fishing for Halibut today. We tried several spots but no love. A west wind had picked up and was bringing swell into the anchorage that was dead calm last night. About 5:30 we decided to pick up the anchor and move on, there is an anchorage on the east side of the island 3.5 miles away. We also had to pickup our crab pot on the way out, it was empty. We got to the anchorage and found it was full of crab pots but fortunately there was room for us and it was dead calm.

Day 83 July 21: The plan is to go to Wrangell today so we did a slow start since it is only 8 miles away. We got in and went to town and met up with the folks on Ocean Flyer. We have crossed paths several times this summer, it was good to see them. There was a boil water notice in effect so nearly all restaurants and bars were closed. We did find a bar that was open because they had a huge stash of ice from before the water issue.

Day 84; July 22: Went and did a couple loads of laundry. Talked to a lady that was hanging out in the laundromat because their boat was out of the water today. Then we went to get groceries and found the pizza joint was open. To go containers only and no silverware. We had lunch and then to the grocery store. The woman from the laundromat, her husband got the boat back and told another boater he would take him fishing. When they stopped to tell about the fishing trip the husband said if we get two I will bring you one. They left at 5 PM and got back about 8 PM with two Halibut. He did bring over a couple of pieces for us not an entire fish. I pumped him for info on the location and it was very close to where we were around Sokolof Island.

Day 85; July 23: We decided to go back to Sokolof Island and try again for a Halibut. One piece of info was that he had been fishing in 40’ of water. We had been trying in about a 100’ before. Within a half hour Carolyn had a fish on and then it took a few hours and a few different spots before I got one. Both fish were 37” long but Carolyn’s was heavier than mine. The charts for halibut say that a 37” fish should be close to 23 lbs. We went back to the anchorage we got blown out a few days ago and got to cleaning and prepping fish.

Day 86; July 24: We got up and went to Santa Anna Inlet about a 6-hour cruise. We have a lot of fishing boats outside the anchorage. They are the larger Purse Seine boats. I think it is Pink Salmon they are after.

 

                                         

 Day 75; July 13: We got up and headed to Petersburg, it is a 54-mile trip. It rained most of the day as predicted but the rain while moving is slightly better than while being anchored. On the way we saw whales, porpoises and a bear. We got to Petersburg, checked in and went to tried out a couple watering holes and had dinner.

Day 76; July 14: Today was a do-nothing day and enjoy the DRY but cloudy weather.

Day 77; July 15: Today I changed oil and filters on the main and generator engines. Carolyn did several loads of laundry at the same time. We went up and had lunch at Inga’s, Halibut tacos and Pad Thai both were good.

Day 78; July 16 Another day of excitement, we went grocery shopping. We have had water getting in under the forward cabin and not sure where it is getting in at. When we tested it was salty so it isn’t a rain leak. Reading online it might the anchor locker or the drain tubes from the locker to outside. This afternoon I pulled out the secondary anchor rode (40’ of chain and 350’ of rope) and Carolyn helped with the primary anchor and rode (350’ of chain and 150’ of rope). We lined up the chain on the dock because of the weight and kept it tidy so people wouldn’t trip. Lots of dirt and it also looked like one of the drain tubes may have been blocked. Hosed out the dirt and got a wire through the drain tubes.

Day 79; July 17 Continuing with the anchor locker the bed needed to be moved and folded in half to access the storage under the bed and below the storage area is access to the bow thruster compartment. I was encouraged that it was full of water and there was a lot of dirt that wasn’t there a few days ago. I think I washed the dirt out of the locker into the thruster area. I couldn’t see where there were any leaks in the floor, it was rebuilt in 2017. So, I suspect one of the tubes has a hole in it. I couldn’t access the tubes from below physically without removing the bow thruster, that’s not an in the water job. I got some tubing that fit inside the existing tubes and buttered it up with sealant. Hopefully, this will work for the short-term to prove where the issue is even if it may not be the long-term fix. Wanting to let the sealant dry for a day or two will keep us from testing the fix until we anchor again.

Day 80; July 18 We got a delivery of medication and went to breakfast at the Salty Pantry. The food was good but the place is busy and no menus so that adds stress to the experience. You see what looks good and ask what it is and order or not. The rest of the day was little tasks to get ready to leave in the morning.

Cleaning its beak

Thinking about our next boat and helicopter

Blue Sky