Hello, I plan to cruise the Inside Passage to Alaska this summer with my 1993 Hunter 335. I'll be starting in the Victoria BC area and hope to go as far as Ketchikan, maybe beyond. I have some questions and will appreciate all suggestions especially from those who have made the trip. HEATING: I have electric 110 volt heaters for when in port but none for when at anchor. Can I use my Origo alcohol stove safely on occasion for a few hours at anchor, keeping a port and hatch partially open... and having a Carbon Monoxide detector/alarm? Other improvisations? WETSUITS: I wonder whether I should spend money on a wetsuit to have in case I need to clear the prop or dive on an anchor? It also might come in handy if I had to abandon ship to my inflatable dinghy. Your thoughts? Also how thick for such limited use... I understand that 7mm or so would be needed for extended exposure, but would 2/3mm suffice if I also had boots, gloves and hood? RECOMMENDED MARINAS AND ANCHORAGES: I have the cruising guides by Douglass but would like to hear about your suggestions for stops along the way. PREPARATION FOR HIGHER WIND CONDITIONS: For anchoring, I'll have 3 anchors, Delta, Fortress and Danforth and plenty of chain and line. For underway, I have 2 reefs and furling headsail. I'd prefer to have 3 reefs and a storm jib, but wonder whether I will have sufficient weather information enroute to avoid 25+ knots of wind? SPARE PARTS: I'll have a few such as impeller, fuel filters and fan belts, but that's about it. Will I likely have any access to towing services (Boat US etc) and repair services enroute? Ideas? CELL PHONE COVERAGE: I have Verizon service that includes Canada and Alaska but would like to know about the likely coverage that I will find as I proceed north? Thank you for any comments or suggestions that could help. I plan to finish preparations this month and depart about May 30th. Joe
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Heater, Joe
I have an Origo heater that has a similar canister as your stove. It runs for about 6 hours on a fill and puts out 5000 BTU. You may find it worthwhile to purchase one and avoid the hassle of other fuels, etc. You do have to leave a port open. We're satisfied with ours. Rick D.
I have an Origo heater that has a similar canister as your stove. It runs for about 6 hours on a fill and puts out 5000 BTU. You may find it worthwhile to purchase one and avoid the hassle of other fuels, etc. You do have to leave a port open. We're satisfied with ours. Rick D.
Origo Heater vs. Origo Stove for Heat?
Hello Rick, Why couldn't I use my Origo stovetop burner(s) and/or oven much the same as you use your heater? Don't they both use the same type of fuel canisters? Especially if I used clay pots or something on the stove? What do you think? Thanks, Joe
Hello Rick, Why couldn't I use my Origo stovetop burner(s) and/or oven much the same as you use your heater? Don't they both use the same type of fuel canisters? Especially if I used clay pots or something on the stove? What do you think? Thanks, Joe
Clay Pots
I can't honestly speak to how safe it is, but our friends have been heating their small boat with clay pots over their origo stove for years. I would think with the precautions you mention, it would be safe, but it is just a GUESS on my part. I can tell you without ventilation, any flame heat can burn the oxygen up in a confined space. Ward
I can't honestly speak to how safe it is, but our friends have been heating their small boat with clay pots over their origo stove for years. I would think with the precautions you mention, it would be safe, but it is just a GUESS on my part. I can tell you without ventilation, any flame heat can burn the oxygen up in a confined space. Ward
Try It Joe
I think the only things you get by a seperate heater is the ability to put it on the cabin sole so as to have the heat source as low as practicable (not to be dismissed too quickly), and to move it close to you in whatever cabin you are in. The heat diffusing in the dedicated unit may be better, of course, but I agree with you, why not try the inverted pot trick first? I did once, but honestly it was so long ago I can't recall how effective it was.
I think the only things you get by a seperate heater is the ability to put it on the cabin sole so as to have the heat source as low as practicable (not to be dismissed too quickly), and to move it close to you in whatever cabin you are in. The heat diffusing in the dedicated unit may be better, of course, but I agree with you, why not try the inverted pot trick first? I did once, but honestly it was so long ago I can't recall how effective it was.
alaska trip
a few things to remember. It will rain for 2/3of the trip.You will need heat to dry outYou may have to invest in a espar heater.You will travel over 2000 miles return and will motor about1200.Hows your fuel storage.Bring you best camera as you will be traveling the most beautiful part of North America Good Luck
a few things to remember. It will rain for 2/3of the trip.You will need heat to dry outYou may have to invest in a espar heater.You will travel over 2000 miles return and will motor about1200.Hows your fuel storage.Bring you best camera as you will be traveling the most beautiful part of North America Good Luck
Wetsuits
Joe, Don't know about the other questions you asked, but I do know that 2/3 mills of wet suit is not going to provide you with enough warmth in those waters. In fact, not enough right here at home. You will need 7 mils just to stay in the water a short time. Especially if you do not have a hood, which I would also recommend. And without gloves, you won't be able to accomplish much with your hands in a short amount of time. Also, 7 mils is going to provide you with pretty good flotation. Nice in some respects, but if you want to clear you prop, you have to go down, and you aren;t going down in a 7 mil suit without some weight. I wear as much as 22 pounds on my weight belt, and the first 5 feet go pretty slow until the suit starts to compress a little and then it gets easier. I'm curious, is your boat in Sausalito? Are you sailing it up to BC from there? Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Joe, Don't know about the other questions you asked, but I do know that 2/3 mills of wet suit is not going to provide you with enough warmth in those waters. In fact, not enough right here at home. You will need 7 mils just to stay in the water a short time. Especially if you do not have a hood, which I would also recommend. And without gloves, you won't be able to accomplish much with your hands in a short amount of time. Also, 7 mils is going to provide you with pretty good flotation. Nice in some respects, but if you want to clear you prop, you have to go down, and you aren;t going down in a 7 mil suit without some weight. I wear as much as 22 pounds on my weight belt, and the first 5 feet go pretty slow until the suit starts to compress a little and then it gets easier. I'm curious, is your boat in Sausalito? Are you sailing it up to BC from there? Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
heaters a must
tom right about the rain, if you dont have a good enough heater to keep the boat dry you might be in for a not so pleasant trip, good foul wx gear, good ground tackle, any wet suits better then nothing.
tom right about the rain, if you dont have a good enough heater to keep the boat dry you might be in for a not so pleasant trip, good foul wx gear, good ground tackle, any wet suits better then nothing.
get an iron pot
Get an iron pot or use a stewpot already onboard (inverted) over the Origo and it will put out enough heat to keep the stateroom warm. joe
Get an iron pot or use a stewpot already onboard (inverted) over the Origo and it will put out enough heat to keep the stateroom warm. joe
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