You just never know... I got an E-mail two weeks ago Friday asking the question if I would be in the store on that Saturday. Checking the E-mail address, I realized that it was from Dave, from Della & Dave up in Alaska. Della & Dave have been wonderful customers as they refit their 365 named Polaris. Dave, a career aviation engineer was in Williamsport, Pennsylvania for a two week training extravaganza at Lycoming Engine.
I replied that indeed I would be in the store, but Buffalo was a long way from Williamsport and they were calling for snow on that Saturday. Dave assured me that being from Alaska he knew how to drive in snow and almost everything was not just around the corner in Alaska. Apparently, they travel 3-1/2 hours just to get to the boat one way.
So... two Saturdays ago I got to shake the hand of a great customer, had a wonderful visit, learned a lot and made a friend. I would like to share just some of the things we talked about specifically about Alaska. The area that they keep Polaris at and sail in sounds wonderful if you like to get away from it all. Sheer cliffs, glacier outfalls and cold deep water appear to be the trademarks of that region with mountains that rise out of the sea to heights of 3000 feet.
Dave told me it is not uncommon for them to anchor in 150 plus feet of water. If I recall correctly he said that the docks where Polaris spends her down time are situated in 80 feet of water. No looking for lost keys or a gone astray winch handle in that marina! The boat stays wet 365 a year as the water exchange from the tidal flow does not stay long enough to freeze. The average level change is 32 feet! Yup you read that right, 32 feet in and out twice a day. I did the math and that is a little over an inch per minute either going up or going down on average.
The average water temperature escapes me but I think he said it is in the 40's. Apparently like the folks in Lake Superior you don't need refrigeration to keep food, you just pack it against the hull. It sounded like your never really alone when you are sailing but you are alone none the less. Apparently there is plenty of fish boat and commercial traffic even in the deep fiords, soaring mountains and crisp clear water to provide all the adventure anyone could want. That is definitely a place for AIS and radar as well as a very good chart plotter.
One thing for sure, you better have a boat that is ready for anything because there is no walking (or swimming) home where they float. We had a great visit, or at least I sure did and remain amazed at what Dave made seem so everyday sailing where they sail. It turns out that Della is the sailor according to Dave, she is the one that has the most keel time. Someday... maybe someday.
Dale
It was fun to stop a very nice shop and talk Pearson's and sailing for a wile. Are conditions are a little unique, but the scenery is amazing. Our tides aren't usually as big as 32 feet, that's just the maximum, but we do get big ones. The mountains don't stop at the ocean surface, they keep going so we do have to anchor deep.
Dale has a nice store and a great internet site. Also the knowledge to order the right part once, instead of the wrong one several times:-).