Small Boats in Alaska's Panhandle
The first time we visited the panhandle of Alaska in 1978 we were astonished to see the tremendous number of small boats there and an absence of large convertibles and cabin cruisers. There are more small boats than ever before and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Marinas are full of them and as Alaskan residents go fishing as much for meat as for pleasure and recreation. We're told that when boat-owning residents of the Alaskan panhandle get cabin fever they go fishing. The variety of small boats there is amazing, and so are the shapes and modifications made to them. If you've never been to Alaska and have wondered what the small boats there are like, we have a photo essay to give you a peek.
 This is a 2008 model 2000 Alaskan DC built by Lund and modified with cruising canvas for what can obviously be chilly in the far north. We like the canvas "deck" across the open bow of this boat which keeps it dryer in sloppy conditions. |
 Since most boats are small in Alaska, anglers must utilize space wherever they can find it. This is an interesting rig on the bow of a 340 Boston Whaler. That is an inflatable boat rolled up under the 4-hp kicker and both are strapped down hard. Many boats have auxiliary kickers in Alaska and many carry inflatables or life rafts. |
 This is a stern view of the same 340 Whaler. Note the down riggers, which are de rigueur on most Alaskan fishing boats. The large cockpit has room for a table and a plastic chair. Many boats carry wire crab pots somewhere on the boat. |
 This Zodiac Hurricane commando-type boat is clearly out-fitted to travel long distance, and to transfer fuel to hapless boaters. We've never seen a rig quite like this before and it was the only one we saw in the Pacific Northwest. |
 This is a common sight in Alaska and British Columbia -- a small boat with a relatively low freeboard but with a high fiberglass pilothouse so that the skipper can stand at the helm. Virtually all boats there are equipped with cruising canvas. Honda was the outboard of choice along the 700 miles from Ketchikan to the Straits of Georgia area. This brand seemed to account for roughly about 70% of the outboard units we saw along the way. Honda is doing something right up there. |
 The crusty old salt steering this boat has been the proprietor of a marina in British Columbia for over 20 years. You'll never see him leave the dock without his PFD on, no matter how short the hop nor how much of a hurry he is in. Therein lies a message. |
 This appears to be a SeaSport 22 or 24, in any case a sweet-looking boat with several things to recommend it. First, we like the rail around the roof on the pilothouse, making a great place to stow the inflatable. The radar arch is lightweight and is a terrific place to mount antennas. Note the outboard for the inflatable is mounted on the transom and we wonder if it can swing down to provide get-home power for the mother ship? Look closely and you can see a blond making her way forward on the starboard side to get that offending fender stowed. |
 Just as Honda outboards appear to be ubiquitous in the Pacific Northwest, so, too, do Trophy fishing boats. This Trophy 2152 powered by a MerCruiser stern drive was just one of dozens of Trophys we saw in Alaska and British Columbia. Note that most boats have get-home kickers, as these boaters are planning to take care of themselves in case of trouble. |
 There are probably more small aluminum boats with cabins in the Pacific Northwest than in any other place in North America. North River is located in Roseburg, Oregon and makes all sorts of recreational, commercial and military aluminum small boats. Northwest boaters like aluminum because it is lightweight, rock-resistant, and takes a minimum of maintenance, particularly if the aluminum is not painted. |
 We were surprised to see this Parker 2530 Extended Cabin boat in the land of the midnight sun -- about as far from the factory where she was built as you could get in North America, Beaufort, NC. But commercial fishermen work the Carolinas all year round and the weather there can get just as stinky there as in Alaska in the winter, so the owner of this Parker knew what he was doing. |
 Gosh, prices are going up all over, even at the Ketchikan YC, which operates on the honor system. Most marinas are pretty full so cruising yachtsmen need to call ahead, be prepared to raft up to commercial vessels, or anchor out. |