Asunto
Our life afloat on a boat
Sailing Trips
Sailing, sailing, sailing That’s why we live the life we do, so that we can untie the lines and explore the world in our own backyard. From Sept 2015-October 2016 we sailed with a 2 year old and a baby from Vancouver to Mexico, across to Hawaii, across to Alaska and then down, Read More
It hasn’t quite been all boat jobs and laundry and groceries and cleaning…
We have had time to visit the Sitka National Forest, where Fynn became a junior ranger! We also have walked the town, which is full of cute shops and fishing things! We took in the local Tginglit dance show and search out salmon berries. Sitka is a lovely small town, and the cloudy rainy weather doesn’t dimish it’s appeal but somehow adds to it. It shard to leave but leave we must.
Since we have landed in Sitka it has been non stop repairs to get Asunto ready to go. Here is a quick list of what we have been up to:
1) replaced the engine alternator
2) installed a new regulator to replace the 20 year one one which had failed
3) installed a secondary water pump for the hydraulic diesel heater as the primary pump is failing
4) built a new bracket to install a replacement autopilot (used, purchased off eBay for $500) which had a different footprint
5) cleaned and reorganized the boat after a very wet passage
6) went up the mast to retrieve the failed wind instrument
Sadly it was more bad news at the top of the mast. When Kolby returned to the deck he asked me if I wanted the bad news or the bad news…. Never a good sign. Simply put the forestay has started to separate from the XXX. Frankly this news was somewhat terrifying for us as we reflected on what might have happened had the forestay come down. It is possible that she may have demasted…. And to think they had been sailing the entire way on the Genoa. We both feel incredibly grateful that she made it safely to Sitka. So for now there is no sailing this ship as we deliberate on how to make these repairs.
It took a while to navigate into the harbour and then find a slip but we are officially at Sitka and tied up 1630 local time on June 26.
The habour is absolutilel packed and clearly built for the salmon trolling fleet out here. There are trollers of all different shapes and sizes, including sailboats that have been rigged up with trolling gear.
There are not many slips for our length of boat but we found a 100’ end tie that we are sharing with another 50’ boat.
We are going to shower and head off for dinner before exploring the town a little.
Since we are a Canadian vessel we need to check in with Customs at Sitka. Kristine called ahead yesterday to let them know we were coming and I called today. What a great process. The officer was super nice and had no problem if the guys were gone when he got there as everyone has early flights tomorrow. Since we are arriving from a US port there is no clearance formality, but they do track our vessel through SE Alaska via our cruising permit number and we are required to check into the other ports we visit. If the rest of the check ins are as easy as this it will be a very refreshing experience.
Thanks to everyone who has been following along on our trip. It was very surreal arriving back into the cold waters of the North Pacific and although we still have a couple months left and we are still in Alaska, it sure feels good to be sailing again amongst the mountains and forests!
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