Helpful advice wanted for running PWS, Cook Inlet and the rivers (Valdez: closing, dangerous)

[Swami Don]

Hi Guys, purchased a 22' Wooldridge Classic with Jet and Trim Tabs at end of last summer and want to sail the blue as many days as possible this summer either as a tag-along fisherman or in my own craft with tag alongs to build knowledge and experience in a guy that's never sailed deep water, salt water, or run a river in a Jet Boat.

Since I am totally ignorant in this regard I anticipate many adventures and near misses and lay myself open now to any and all advice from Sage Captains in advance of the summer when I expect to haunt the landings seeking them, and it.

Never posted on a Forum or internet before... could well be all wet... so please send me to the right places to connect over the next month of research. Thank you most kindly.

[AKStafford]

In addition to whatever advice you get here, you might also try posting on the Alaska Outdoors Forum:
Alaska Boating Forums

[Rance]

Get yourself a chart of PWS as well as a Garmin or something to locate yourself with. PWS is loaded with very cool places to explore, glaciers to see, whales to watch, fish to catch. But it can also be a mother bear when it comes to weather.

[Dakster]

Hopefully you don't run into mother bear when you are exploring PWS...

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Dakster

Hopefully you don't run into mother bear when you are exploring PWS...

The best way is to spend time with some of the experienced boaters in that area before venturing out. Most coastal areas around Homer, Seward, Valdez, and such can be quite rough and dangerous. A coworker of mine spends some time on his boat around PWS, but he has a lot of sea experience, and knows where to get away from the wind for the night. Sometimes the wind is so strong and waves so high, that he just stays in place until the weather changes, before turning around. When foggy he stays close to the shoreline and steers his boat with the use of a GPS and sonar. A few years ago he used a 14-foot Zodiac

[Dakster]

I know I will go exploring when we move to AK, but not without some training and/or with someone that is experienced in the area I want to explore.

I know enough, to know, that I don't know enough, to just go out on my own - if that makes sense.

Only places I have been overnight in a small boat didn't have the possibility of large waves or being swept out to sea. Granted, they were alligator and snake infested, which brings a different level of awareness and also a strong desire to not "fall off the boat."

[Swami Don]

Hi Guys, some great advice. One overriding theme throughout has been risks 'vs' adventure (or something that looks like it later...). It'd be crazy to set off on a 3 hour voyage in anything but good wx and decided that canvassing the launches, tagging along with more experienced skippers, and running for cover in more than "the nick of time" is a firm plan. These forums are excellent resources so cross-eyed reading them now before the real tests begin in a few weeks. Thanks again.

[Swami Don]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

The best way is to spend time with some of the experienced boaters in that area before venturing out. Most coastal areas around Homer, Seward, Valdez, and such can be quite rough and dangerous. A coworker of mine spends some time on his boat around PWS, but he has a lot of sea experience, and knows where to get away from the wind for the night. Sometimes the wind is so strong and waves so high, that he just stays in place until the weather changes, before turning around. When foggy he stays close to the shoreline and steers his boat with the use of a GPS and sonar. A few years ago he used a 14-foot Zodiac

Good advice. My friends have been sharing hair-raising stories of their own, seems like everybody gets squeezed at some point facing nature and I guess starting scared is the appropriate attitude for the bigger water.

[Swami Don]

Originally Posted by Dakster

Hopefully you don't run into mother bear when you are exploring PWS...

I was a fishing guide down Katmai way in a former life and always found that closing my eyes tightly and chanting over and over, "bears are my friend" "bears are my friend," works real well.