Kumealon Inlet to Prince Rupert
The ride to Prince Rupert was smooth and uneventful. The waters were calm, and we had a favorable current pushing us along. It always feels surreal transitioning from the wilds to civilization. The first signs of humanity are the industrial buildings, followed by the sight of railway cars and massive shipping containers being loaded and off-loaded. As you round Pillsbury Point, the rest of Prince Rupert comes into view, highlighted by the four 15,000-tonne (1 tonne = 1,000 kg) galvanized steel wood pellet silos that stand out prominently.
Our plan was to top off our fuel tanks to ensure a safe crossing of Dixon Entrance into Ketchikan. Fuel is cheaper in Ketchikan, so we’ll fill up the tanks there. Blue Heron is equipped with two 150-gallon fuel tanks, giving us a total capacity of 300 gallons. This allows us to run for approximately 140 hours, but as with any engine, it’s wise to avoid running on fumes and to maintain a safety buffer. Most boaters use the rule of thirds: “One-third of a tank out, one-third of a tank back, and one-third of a tank for safety reserve.” We always err on the side of caution as do not want to experience the distress of running out of fuel.
Cow Bay Marina was full, but we found space at the Prince Rupert Yacht Club. The service there was outstanding. The dock hands were incredibly friendly and helpful with tying up and casting off. The gentleman in the office provided excellent tips for shrimping in the area and crossing Dixon Entrance. The laundry facilities and bathrooms/showers were immaculate. We’ll definitely return and plan to stay longer next time. Prince Rupert is a charming town with a rich history, although we didn’t have time to explore the hikes or museums on this trip.
The rest of the day was spent enjoying a refreshing shower, a quick stroll around town, a pre-dinner drink at Breaker’s Pub, and dinner at the Wheelhouse Brewery with our boating friends (thank you, Shannon!). We also made a brief visit to “Smallmart,” the smallest Walmart in Canada, and possibly the world.
While in Prince Rupert, we were moored next to an impressive 106 ft (32m) luxury expedition super yacht named “RUSHMORE.” She is a stunning Nordlund, built in 2014. You can check her out here. Just wow! Her tender is aptly named “Little More.”
On the other side of us, we had the unique experience of watching a fisherman clean his catch of the day—a very large octopus. He plans to use it for bait, as it’s excellent for halibut and quite expensive to purchase.