Epic Trip, Flotilla up the Inside Passage: Washington to Alaska in 16 days

This was such an AMAZING trip. We documented what it's like doing a 'quick' trip to Alaska, with a flotilla of boats that travel rather slowly.... The Waggoner Guide does guided flotillas that take boat owners up the inside passage to Alaska while teaching the entire trip. Yup, its a program to help recreational boaters get up to Alaska to enjoy a summer exploring. Alaska has so much wildlife, glaciers, remoteness, and beauty it makes a perfect place for recreational boaters to go explore.
To learn more about joining Waggoner Cruising Guide Mike on one of his many Alaskan adventures check out this link:
waggonerguide....
If you just looking to check out one of our awesome Cruisers College weekend classes click on this link:
cruiserscolleg...
And if your interested in learning more about boats, motors, electrical, electronics, rigging and more check out our Skagit Valley College Marine Maintenance Technology Program, where we offer 1-year certification and 2-year degree programs:
www.skagit.edu...
If you have questions about the program or future flotillas contact:
Michael Beemer, Department Chair
[e-mail]
Skagit Valley College Marine Technology Program
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[@kenbudd6216]

Hi Mike from England great film amazing wildlife i would love to sail there

[@SVCSkallywags]

I highly recommend it. An endless lifetime of bays and protected water to explore! I’m very lucky

[@davidrix1370]

Watched the whole thing! The quietness is noticeable, you can hear how quiet it is in the mornings. Great job Mike, and Cliff!

[@SVCSkallywags]

Awesome, thank you! Best trip we've done - many great trips but this year we had zero weather concerns and all boats performed perfectly.

[@LuisJimenez-il2ik]

Looking forward to this year's Flotilla! Great Job Mike!!!!

[@SVCSkallywags]

Me too! Think about it everyday. Less than 6 months we'll be underway :)

[@apackwestbound5946]

Awesome stuff Mike! What a epic journey. Thank you for taking us along! TD

[@SVCSkallywags]

Glad you enjoyed it! Best trip I've ever done: Weather, people, tides, etc.

[@RBZ3]

Thanks!!

[@SVCSkallywags]

Welcome!

[@powellkwd40]

It would be a dream come true for me to do this.

[@SVCSkallywags]

I highly recommend it! Do you follow the race to Alaska each year? They do this trip on all sorts of fun, human powered vessels!

[@davezocchetti4766]

Great educational video. Thx

[@SVCSkallywags]

Our pleasure! It took more than I thought ot document a few minutes everyday!

[@thatchh1]

Nice summary of the trip! We did a 94 day version of the trip in 2022 (first time up) in our Carver 396. One month from La Conner up to Juneau, a month to run around SE Alaska and a month home. We used Waggonner and Slowboat trip reports and seminars and the Douglas Guide in planning our route and stops as well as prepping. The information was invaluable for providing many tips and anchorage descriptions that led to a smooth trip. Many of our stops were the same as yours or in the same areas. We hit most of the big destinations including Glacier Bay, Haines, Sitka, Tracy Arm and many of the first nations villages. We travelled 2700nm and spent $19k on fuel running a planing hull gas engine cruiser at 7 knots. It was worth every penny! I encourage anyone thinking about it to do it in some form. While we did it solo, I think a flotilla would be a great way for anyone who prefers some support or just likes the shared experience.

[@SVCSkallywags]

Thanks for sharing! I always say - GO - don't wait for the perfect boat - you did it. Your fuel bill certainly was high, but like you said, worth every penny. Cheers!

[@allanmoore7790]

Thanks Mike! I need to pull out my Waggoner Guide that I received from signing up for last year’s boat show and read more about all your stops. Did any cruise ships pass by while you were motoring? The Black Pearl seems like the perfect boat for doing the Inside Passage.

[@SVCSkallywags]

We saw cruise ships, yes, probably at least once every-other-day. Also, in all the larger S.E. Alaska ports. We did a 30 overnight passage on the way south and only saw 1 about 8 p.m., I was hoping to pass one in the the night, when they normally are traveling!

[@thatchh1]

We passed a lot of cruise ships on our trip to SE AK, and I was impressed with how small their wakes were.

[@mikeswietzer6309]

Your the man. Cruise safe with M Beemer.

[@SVCSkallywags]

Such a great trip - for us - you'd be disappointed at the lack of wind for sailing!!!

[@LetsGoOutdoors]

I really enjoyed your presentation! Super informative, this is definitely a trip my wife and I want to tackle in the future. Do you get many Canadian boats participating? We are based in North Saanich.

[@SVCSkallywags]

Thanks for feedback - it was a fun video to put together, something different for me. Yes, I think nearly every flotilla I've done we have had Canadian participants. Our first flotilla to AK had a 30' Catalina out of Vancouver. Often they meet us on day 2 in the gulf Islands as not to have to cross the border twice at the start of the trip.

[@susanobrien3076]

Is there any room in the flotilla this year, 2024 -in theJun departure date?

[@SVCSkallywags]

Unfortunately, no - we filled up shortly after the Seattle Boat Show.