Presentation on Sailing the Northwest Passage

Issuma

Richard
Sun Jan 1 12:01:03 EST 2012

For those readers in New York, I'm giving a talk about Sailing the Northwest Passage on Wed January 18. Details are at http://www.meetup.com/gotham-city-sailing-association/events/42647082/

Today in Sitka there is a storm. It is pleasantly warm and dry below on Issuma, tied to the dock, listening to the wind howl in the rigging and heeling over in the gusts.

The picture:
In July, we spent two weeks at the dock in Cartwright, Labrador, fixing the engine and converting the forestaysail from (broken) roller-furling to hank-on (shackle-on actually, as I could not buy hanks in Labrador).

For our departure, the wind was favorable, so we sailed off the dock, out of the harbor, and on to Greenland. Blair Gillis took this picture as we sailed through Cartwright harbor.

Comments [4]

Mon Jan 2 19:35:38 EST 2012 | AM Namee

Hey, Richard! Its been great following your voyage since I departed. There's a chance I may be in New York at the same time you are (I've been in and out of New York sporadically lately). Would love to have the chance to see you if I'm around and you have time. We'll stay in touch!

hope all is well,
AM

Tue Jan 3 6:54:25 EST 2012 | Victor

Here's AM, a good ghost of Issuma. We will have meeting with Richard as well in Toronto.

Tue Jan 3 15:18:15 EST 2012 | Amos

Good luck in New York, Richard, they're lucky to get you!! WIshing you a prosperous year ahead with fair winds and following seas!

Wed Jan 4 9:01:45 EST 2012 | Richard Hudson

AM, good to hear from you. Email me when you are in NY.

Amos, thanks very much. Best wishes for the new year.

Neighbors

Richard
Sat Dec 31 14:58:32 EST 2011, Sitka, AK

Comments [5]

Sun Jan 1 4:09:32 EST 2012 | yann

happy new year! fair winds and gentle sea!

Sun Jan 1 8:18:18 EST 2012 | Joe Berta

Health & Happiness for 2012 to all who sail aboard Issuma!

Sun Jan 1 11:24:06 EST 2012 | Richard Hudson

Yann and Joe, thank you. Best wishes for 2012 to you as well.
Richard

Sun Jan 1 12:35:54 EST 2012 | Peter

Happy New Year Richard! Miss sailing with you the first of the year! Fair winds and following seas.

Sun Jan 1 13:06:47 EST 2012 | Richard Hudson

Peter, thanks, Happy New Year. I miss those daysails on New Years Day in New York also! I had hoped to do a New Years Day Sail in Sitka, but there is a storm, so no sailing today for me.

Neighbors

Richard
Fri Dec 30 16:08:08 EST 2011, Sitka, AK

Side view of sailing fishing boat.

Comments [6]

Fri Dec 30 22:10:14 EST 2011 | michael

That boat has seen some action. Definitely fiberglass and I assume the add-ons are aluminum?

Looks like some ice forming.

Fri Dec 30 22:39:35 EST 2011 | Richard Hudson

I'm told the builder was Skookum Marine in Port Townsend, WA. I think the add-ons are aluminum (and some plywood), but I'll take another look at it in the light tomorrow to confirm.

It got a bit chillier the last couple of days, so there is now a little ice in the very sheltered sections of the marina.

Sat Dec 31 10:34:56 EST 2011 | Douglas

Skookum boat hulls are well respected in the PNW as being built to last several lifetimes or more... here is a good example of a Skookum motorsailor - http://www.cougarmountainproductions.com/SeaRavenSite/Pages/boatad.htm

Burrr... the Sitka harbor ice make it look cold ! Keep warm Richard. Wishing you a great 2012 New Year.

Sat Dec 31 13:34:10 EST 2011 | michael

I've seen other Skookum vessels rigged for fishing, though I would never have been able to ID this one. They are a very deep draft boat with a thick hull and can take a lot of punishment.
Richard, are you going to winter over in Sitka? There is no ice here in Newport, OR. (hint)

Sat Dec 31 14:57:27 EST 2011 | Richard Hudson

Doug, thanks, Happy New Year to you as well. I followed the link and then found a few more Skookums with sailing rigs.

It has been a bit chilly of late here in Sitka. It is forecast to warm up when tonight's gale becomes tomorrow's storm, so I expect the ice will melt.

Michael, thanks, I took another look at the add-ons and yes, they are aluminum. While I'm sure it would be nice and warm in Oregon now, the short hours of daylight this time of year are making me want to delay traveling for a bit. Happy New Year.

Richard

Sat Jan 7 23:09:17 EST 2012 | bowsprite

i like this Skookum. Looks so rugged. Beautiful color, with the ice and the sky.

Neighbors

Richard
Fri Dec 30 16:02:22 EST 2011, Sitka, AK

Stern view of sailing fishing boat.

Comments [0]

Neighbors

Richard
Thu Dec 29 12:08:17 EST 2011, Sitka, AK

This is an auxiliary sailboat converted for fishing. I believe there is also a sister ship to this vessel farther down the dock.

Ive seen several auxiliary sailboats used for fishing in Alaska.

Comments [2]

Thu Dec 29 22:22:33 EST 2011 | Victor

I like ACE at least something to play with or whatever the acronym is. Steel hull ?. Bobstay still in place which means no ice. I bet in the old days it didn't have an engine.

Fri Dec 30 0:19:08 EST 2011 | Richard Hudson

I'm pretty sure the hull is fibreglass, and it was built as a sailing yacht and converted for fishing with.

Neighbors

Richard
Tue Dec 27 14:36:21 EST 2011, Sitka, AK

Comments [7]

Tue Dec 27 15:25:32 EST 2011 | Minh

Hi Richard, Wishing you a safe, warm, and happy New Year.

Tue Dec 27 21:13:59 EST 2011 | Richard Hudson

Minh, thank you, I wish you a great 2012 also.

Thu Dec 29 1:03:49 EST 2011 | michael

I see that your neighbors in Sitka are similar to mine in Newport, Oregon. In fact may even be the same.
I love these fishing boats, though I wish for a more fuel efficient industry. One day, they might realize fishing from a sailing vessel is viable.

doryman

Thu Dec 29 9:48:55 EST 2011 | Richard Hudson

Michael, thanks, you just gave me an idea for the next post.

Alaska is about the only place I've seen auxiliary sailboats used for fishing. I dont' think they use sail alone very often, but I believe they do when winds are favorable to save fuel (someone with more knowledge can correct me on this).

Speaking of sailing fishing boats reminds me of the sail-only fishing boats that are still used in Brazil (http://www.sailblogs.com/member/rhudson/?xjMsgID=128585).

Richard

Thu Dec 29 17:37:20 EST 2011 | Terry

hmmmm .... "sailboat - fishing" ... i think there was ... a boat built for that .... called "Bluenose"

Thu Dec 29 22:34:48 EST 2011 | Victor

Talk about fishing and "Bluenose'. It didn't have an engine in early days. And I used to get bluenose at Inuvik in '70th with -55ºF.

Fri Dec 30 0:15:51 EST 2011 | Richard Hudson

Ahhh, yes, the schooner Bluenose (and the rest of the Grand Banks fishing schooners). No engine and fishing from dories by hand, way out at sea on the foggy, windy Grand Banks. Not so many people want to do that nowadays :).

Howling

Richard
Mon Dec 26 19:56:31 EST 2011, Sitka, AK

The wind has been howling all day. Not much rain, just a noticeable amount of wind.

The barometer (yes, it could use some brass polish) went from 1005mb last night to 979mb this morning, which is a really steep drop (which means high winds). Sea forecast was for a storm (50 knot winds), land forecast was for 40mph winds gusting to 60mph.

A nice day to be warm, dry and comfortable in port.

Comments [3]

Tue Dec 27 10:59:14 EST 2011 | Amos

I hope 2012 is prsperous and fulfilling for you, Richard! THanks for the many wonderful adventures shared.

Tue Dec 27 17:50:10 EST 2011 | Terry

old brass ... i had the same problem .... i used "chorme" paint from canadian tire ... it worked ... 3yrs now ....

Tue Dec 27 21:08:31 EST 2011 | Richard Hudson

Amos, thank you, best wishes for 2012 to you as well.

Terry, thanks, I never thought of painting the brass...hmmm...

Neighbors

Richard
Sun Dec 25 14:12:50 EST 2011, Sitka, AK

Comments [2]

Sun Dec 25 15:21:55 EST 2011 | George Ray

Best Wishes for the Holidays from the lower 48 .... ... .. .

Sun Dec 25 15:56:32 EST 2011 | Richard Hudson

Thanks, George, best wishes for the holidays from Alaska

Neighbors

Richard
Sat Dec 24 12:53:58 EST 2011, Sitka, AK

Comments [2]

Sun Dec 25 11:08:05 EST 2011 | Terry

Wishing a Merry Christmas

Sun Dec 25 14:56:49 EST 2011 | Richard Hudson

Thanks, Terry, Merry Christmas to you too.

Neighbors

Richard
Wed Dec 21 16:42:42 EST 2011, Sitka, AK

Comments [7]

Thu Dec 22 21:51:04 EST 2011 | Pete Elwell

Republic looks like she came from the same yard as Masonic .
Sending you an email . See you soon .
- Pete S/V Mariah NY, NY

Thu Dec 22 23:55:46 EST 2011 | Richard Hudson

Yes, they look quite similar. I don't think anyone is around now from either boat to ask.

Fri Dec 23 15:21:48 EST 2011 | Joe Berta

Best of the season Richard!
Even we here in Ontario are now surrounded with ice as Nogies Creek Bay had froze over a couple of days ago.
I very much enjoy your images.
Joe

Fri Dec 23 16:19:20 EST 2011 | Ron Ouwehand

Hello Richard, I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It's almost been a year next week that we first met at the Bluffs in Scarborough. All the best!
Ron O. S.V. Old Hand

Fri Dec 23 21:44:56 EST 2011 | Richard Hudson

Joe, thanks very much. Hope you're enjoying the winter. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Ron, thanks very much. I remember your visit a year ago in Ontario--back when the ice was thin enough that I could still break it to get out sailing. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Richard

Sat Dec 24 10:52:53 EST 2011 | Joe Berta

Remember the video Richard, back when the ice was thin enough: http://youtu.be/26tLBkJYhC4

***** Merry Christmas *****

Sat Dec 24 11:51:16 EST 2011 | Richard Hudson

Joe, yes I remember that great video you took of Issuma breaking ice to go sailing. I was looking at it last night.
Richard

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