Sand Point, Albedo +2 and a new Winterhafen

I had a few reasons to call into a harbor rather than just dropping the hook in a nice bay: I wanted electricity, water and sleep. Turns out I should only get water. The electricity on the dock was out of order, so no big laundry and drying day.

Regarding sleep, well that didn’t really work. I expected to sleep a lot with a calm night at a dock, no waves, no alarms. What happened is that I fall to bed exhausted, just to wake up two hours later wide awake and ready to start a new day. Of course, then I won’t make it through the day. My rhythm is completely screwed up.

Lying awake at two in the morning gave me time to reason: The original plan was Nagai Island, and from there perhaps the direct shot across to Vancouver. That plan I threw over board. Hurricane-force storms are lining up one after the other, and the crossing would take me a week. Too risky! And also, it is so beautiful up here that I’d regret blasting through. So, rather winter the boat up here in Alaska and enjoy Alaska and British Columbia next spring.

But water, water there was plenty. For the first time in a few thousand miles, since Nova Scotia, I lie on a dock with water. I wash the boat until my arms fall off. Removing months of grit and salt. The albedo of the cork deck improves by at least two points.

I also do various maintenance jobs, check engine oil, coolant, filters. The hydro generator is still not working and requires more investigations. I also restore the Swiss flag, which I was happy to find again: it ripped off and got entangled in some lines - good news. While the storm bill is not paid off yet by far, it is a respectable first instalment.

Much of the flotilla, Vanuily, Aglaia, Coro Coro and Aegir, is still in the Bering Sea. I hope they will get out in a timely manner. With each week delay the storms will get more furious. Likewise I am keen on getting on east and find a winter harbor.Read more