Anchors, Knots and Handcuffs

If you can’t tie a knot, tie a lot.
-Winslow Liferaft Company

One of man's greatest inventions was the plough. Then some eedjet made an anchor out of it.
-Alex Blackwell

Coordinates: 55°23.996 N 131°45.049, 56°27.796 N 132°46.311

Hello everyone! There is much to share, but again, had to wait until we had service. So here's the scoop:

Officially left Ketchikan, and in two days, are already to Petersburg, a little fishing town nestled in tall mountains in the Wrangell Narrows. But before we went through the Narrows--which are dangerous no matter the weather--we had to travel through Clarence Strait yesterday, knowing one has to attempt the narrows at just the right time.

We came up along the east side of Zarembo Island--which sounds like it should be by Madagascar and not in Alaska--on our way to St. John's Bay, to anchor for the night before we attempted the Wrangell Narrows. 

Anchoring was a bit more problematic this time. See its not just drop the anchor and stay for the night. First of all, the anchor has to stick in mud, not rock. Second, you have to have 150 to 200 feet of heavy chain out too, and that's if you're only in 25 to 30 feet of water. See the chain keeps you grounded along with the anchor, and having enough chain out is considered having enough "scope". It took us a full hour to find the right depth and feel reasonably comfortable that the anchor was stuck fast, but we were never quite satisfied.

Boat Tip #1 It is not comforting to go to bed and have a sneaking suspicion your anchor is not as stuck as you’d want it to be stuck. However, it helps if the view is this fantastic:

Though the view was beautiful, one crow on Southerly Island was having a conniption fit over something, flying from tree to tree. Alyssa expressed that she discovered on this trip just how cantankerous eagles really are too. They may look regal, but they are apt to quarrel among themselves and get miffed at things easily.

Because we got to St. John’s with a little extra time, we did what any good sailors (or inexperienced ones) need to do at some point: learn some knots!

So we dug some random lengths of rope out of the closet and started knotting things. Captain and I tangled with the Figure Eight Bend, which took some really finagling to figure out. The Captain took it as a personal challenge, and refused to abandon it for a less twisty knot. His perseverance paid off, and we got it.

Still, I think I mastered the coolest knot of all.

Behold! The handcuff knot (see top pic). It looks really difficult—but I’ll confide: it isn’t really. Challenge to anyone out there who wants to learn it. You look really cool and talented with limited effort. Plus, you never know when you’ll find a pirate on your boat and have to hogtie him. #lifehack

After that, well we went to our bunks, planning a very different day for the morrow. But first, would the anchor hold? Hmm?  

We’ll find out.

Skipper Krystal

Photo Cred: Alyssa

https://youtu.be/M1NQLl5Tz1Q