Northwest Passage - 2015

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

Rustic Charm, talking about a North West Passage must of necessity include climate change, among other things. One such item to note is that the ice had been blown towards shore and thereby had blocked off many of the more isolated villages up there. One Canadian Ice Breaker had its mission re-tasked in order to open up harbors so that essential goods could be delivered to the communities. Any passage maker needing fuel and supplies may be out of luck.

I agree it has to by necessity talk about 'ice', but it doesn't at all have to turn to a climate change debate. Not that it has entirely. It was just an early plea to encourage not going there so the topic can stay on sailing in the NWP.

[roverhi]

Putting the global warming mania aside, how are people fairing that are attempting the passage?? Seem to remember that last year was not a good year for the passage. Has the tropical conditions of last winter opened up large areas for easy passage or have wind, waves, and current conspired to block passage with the few ice cubes that are still left up there??

[estarzinger]

^^ as of now it is blocked . . . . but it usually does not open up until around August 20th, and I would say it is looking decently good for that (not for sure but good possibility of open passage without need of an icebreaker)..

[IdoraKeeper]

Well, have my browser set to the Walrus Cam...all Walrus all the time.
There is no Polar Bear cam that I am aware of....Would have to be on an armored barge to survive. I do expect hordes of starving albino bears to begin depredations if this keeps up. Bears are not political. Just a sayin...

[Aargau]

Daughter just got back from sailing above 80 degrees. Svalbard area was pretty ice free, even northern Svalbard was clear but attempting to land in Greenland wasn't possible.


It's less about the ice coverage and more about the ice flow. September may bring big changes however.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by SailOar

List of Northwest Passage of passage makers, as compiled by Jesse Osborn

The current issue of Pacific Yachting has an article about the 2013 single season NWP transit of Traversay III.

Their blog is much more detailed.

http://traversayiii.blogspot.ca/

[cwyckham]

Jimmy Cornell just made it through Bellot Strait, one of the two possible paths through the choke point.

I just found this amazing tracker. Looks like a bunch of boats are well through the choke points.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by cwyckham

Jimmy Cornell just made it through Bellot Strait, one of the two possible paths through the choke point.

I just found this amazing tracker. Looks like a bunch of boats are well through the choke points.

Thanks for that. One of them is Bagheera, the Copelands.

[cwyckham]

Originally Posted by jackdale

Thanks for that. One of them is Bagheera, the Copelands.

No way! I saw the name but assumed it was a different boat. I had no idea they were doing the NWP!

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by cwyckham

No way! I saw the name but assumed it was a different boat. I had no idea they were doing the NWP!

I assume (maybe incorrectly) that is them.

They are cruising BC. Different boat.

[Jon Eisberg]

Originally Posted by jackdale

I assume (maybe incorrectly) that is them.

They are cruising BC. Different boat.

That BAGHEERA is that of Erik de Jong, the designer of the Adventure 40...

Arctic Sailing with Erik de Jong on 'Bagheera' — 59º North Offshore Sailing Adventures

[Clamdigger]

Originally Posted by GG2015

Since you live in the Barents Sea region with plenty of ice what influenced you to build using FRP and wood strips? I'm exhausted just looking at the pixs. How much build-up thickness will there be in the final boat at the keel and waterline? Or maybe asked another way - why didn't you build using welded steel?

Once you complete your boat are you planning to cruise south of the Arctic Circle?

One of the crew who is looking to buy a boat has said he will only consider a metal boat after sailing through the Northwest Passage in 2014. I think he is making a good decision because he wants to cruise high latitudes both North and South.

Thanks for your reply,

Smooth seas!

Folks can enjoy the Passage vicariously by watching the documentry 'Red Dot on the Ocean' by sailor Matt Rutherford out of Annapolis. He took a BEATER Albin Vega 27 on and completed a 'Round-the-Americas' , sailing BOTH Poles in an old fiberglass boat with MINIMUM resources available to him. But, then again, Matt IS a very skilled sailor and Jack of Lots of Trades! Enjoy the show, well worth your time.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by Clamdigger

Folks can enjoy the Passage vicariously by watching the documentry 'Red Dot on the Ocean' by sailor Matt Rutherford out of Annapolis. He took a BEATER Albin Vega 27 on and completed a 'Round-the-Americas' , sailing BOTH Poles in an old fiberglass boat with MINIMUM resources available to him. But, then again, Matt IS a very skilled sailor and Jack of Lots of Trades! Enjoy the show, well worth your time.

It would seem this is only available by DVD and not as a rental / streaming. Do you know anywhere that it can be watched without buying the dvd? I don't mind renting it, just don't want to buy a copy.

[SailOar]

Originally Posted by Clamdigger

Folks can enjoy the Passage vicariously by watching the documentry 'Red Dot on the Ocean' by sailor Matt Rutherford out of Annapolis. He took a BEATER Albin Vega 27 on and completed a 'Round-the-Americas' , sailing BOTH Poles in an old fiberglass boat with MINIMUM resources available to him. But, then again, Matt IS a very skilled sailor and Jack of Lots of Trades! Enjoy the show, well worth your time.

Trailer for Red Dot on the Ocean

https://vimeo.com/47936167

Purchase DVD here or purchase and download mp4 file here.

[Boatguy30]

My only issue with these sporting cruises (many shoestring) thru the NW passage is rescue costs. How many boats have the stores and fuel aboard to be iced in for a full 12 months?


What happens if they get stuck? In my view they would need to charter a private helicopter to come pick them up no rely on the Canadian taxpayer to bail them out.