Skagway

Has anyone ever cruised into Skagway? We have a 55' Nordhavn and wondering how tight things are there. People have told us to take the ferry- just wanted to get other opinions.

Thanks

Over 50' you need to call ahead. We've been there and it's worth the trip imho, but we're only 43'.

bigpoppop said:

Has anyone ever cruised into Skagway? We have a 55' Nordhavn and wondering how tight things are there. People have told us to take the ferry- just wanted to get other opinions.

Thanks

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Yes, we docked at Skagway Small Boat Harbor. They can handle up to 150' but it's dependent obviously on how many boats there. We were in an 85' boat but had contacted them well in advance. We arrived about 5:00 AM and stayed two days before moving on to Haines.

Your draft is greater than ours was but I don't recall it being an issue at all as I recall it being at least 14' all the way.

Have a friend who just got back from that area. He was depressed in seeing the negative influence all the cruise ship traffic has had on Skagway. Enjoyed Haines much more.

sean9c said:

Have a friend who just got back from that area. He was depressed in seeing the negative influence all the cruise ship traffic has had on Skagway. Enjoyed Haines much more.

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Perhaps along the water, but we really enjoyed Skagway.

Chilkoot Dining Room
Days of 98 Show and Trail of 98 Museum
Klondike Gold Rush Park
Red Onion Saloon Brothel Museum
Skagway Museum
Corrington's Museum of Alaskan History

And we enjoyed State Street and Broadway.

A lot of unique history there.

We also enjoyed a day plus in Haines.

Haven't been, but I'm heading up Lynn Canal this evening. Planning on about 6 days and will stop at Haines and Skagway and a few anchorages. Weather dependent, of course.

BTW, thanks for the whiskey last week! Sam here. Hope you had fun at the N rendezvous.

A ride on the narrow-gauge train to White Pass or beyond is a must.



If you're a big fan of hammers, Haines will delight.

markpierce said:

A ride on the narrow-gauge train to White Pass or beyond is a must.

If you're a big fan of hammers, Haines will delight.

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Wifey B: Sometimes I do things knowing I'm going to regret it, but I can't resist. I have to. Hammers? Would you please enlighten me? I missed the hammers I guess or perhaps I'm just not a fan.

If I had a hammer,
I'd hammer in the morning
I'd hammer in the evening,
All over this land

I'd hammer out danger,
I'd hammer out a warning,
I'd hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.

If I had a bell,
I'd ring it in the morning,
I'd ring it in the evening,
All over this land

I'd ring out danger,
I'd ring out a warning
I'd ring out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.

If I had a song,
I'd sing it in the morning,
I'd sing it in the evening,
All over this land

I'd sing out danger,
I'd sing out a warning
I'd sing out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.

Well I got a hammer,
And I got a bell,
And I got a song to sing, all over this land.

It's the hammer of Justice,
It's the bell of Freedom,
It's the song about Love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.

It's the hammer of Justice,
It's the bell of Freedom,
It's the song about Love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.

There is a hammer museum in Haines. That, an old fort, and totem poles are what you'll get in downtown Haines.

markpierce said:

There is a hammer museum in Haines. That, an old fort, and totem poles are what you'll get in downtown Haines.

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Wifey B: There is also the Kroschel Films Wildlife Center. The animals there are so cool. We liked the Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center. I love to get some of the history of the area I'm visiting. Then the coup de grace, the American Bald Eagle Foundation exhibit in the museum. I didn't know anything really about Eagles, Bald or otherwise, before that museum. Maybe I'll see the hammers next time. I'm sure Haines has much more to offer.

And just think, the crooner/piano player on our ship made multiple disparaging remarks of Haines. ... Personally, we prefer Skagway despite the crowds.

markpierce said:

And just think, the crooner/piano player on our ship made multiple disparaging remarks of Haines. ... Personally, we prefer Skagway despite the crowds.

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Wifey B: I enjoyed both but of course I'm easy. I've enjoyed every place we've been, perhaps some more than others. Every place in the world has something special about it and every place has something bad. I just don't spend my energy looking for the bad.

Got to Skagway a few hours ago. A few notes...

Lynn Canal seems to get pretty windy in the afternoon/evening. This morning was calm but foggy.

Yesterday there were dozens of commercial fishing boats working in Lynn Canal. Keep an eye out for their nets! 1/4 nm (use the radar range ring) separation normally keeps you a safe distance away.

The marina in Skagway is pretty much devoid of cruising boats. The south side of C dock is a few hundred feet (maybe 150?) of side tie transient moorage with 30, 50, and 100 amp power. The marina is in good condition.

Skagway is really cruise-shippy. Lots of jewelry stores and trinket stores. The National Park Service info center is good.

The worst water I've ever seen was from the deck of the then Alaska Stete ferry Wickersham. I think it was blowing 60 knots and the air 30' up was white. The wind was blowing the water right into the air.
The fishermen call it the terrible Lynn. I have never gone up there in a small boat.