Tide/Current Pub. recommendation for SE Alaska
 

I currently us Capn Jacks current Atlas for Puget Sound and from what I've
see, I'm confident I will be happy with the Canadian current atlas.

However, I need a recommendation on some thing similar for SE Alaska.

I don't like the tables, I like to work with something graphic, like the
Canadians Atlas.

Any recommendation would be appreciated.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

I used the ones on my Garmin 182 and was generally happy with the
results. The stations are a little far apart sometimes and you have to
do a little interpolation, but it's pretty close most of the time.

Capt. jeff

Steve wrote:

I currently us Capn Jacks current Atlas for Puget Sound and from what
I've see, I'm confident I will be happy with the Canadian current
atlas.

However, I need a recommendation on some thing similar for SE Alaska.

I don't like the tables, I like to work with something graphic, like
the Canadians Atlas.

Any recommendation would be appreciated.

The absolute best I've used is the Tidefinder, made by a small company in
Bellingham, WA. It has more locations than anything I've seen, and I'm pretty
sure it covers Alaska. We've found it indispensible for cruising WA and BC.
You put in the time and a location number code, and get back either current and
direction or water level. The original Tidefinder is a handheld electronic
device selling for a couple hundred bucks, but I believe you can get Tidefinder
PC software now too. Unfortunately I don't have a link to the manufacturer, but
I'm sure San Juan Electronics in Bellingham would know
(www.sanjuanelectronics.com).

Matt O.

I should have mentioned that my The Capn nav software includes Tides and
Currents, but the graphic representations on the charts is very limited..

I prefer the Current Atlas approach since it shows a series of arrows in
most all passes and regions where accelerated currents might be experienced.
I consider it "good sport" take advantage of this and any back eddies when
the main current is against me.

One of the problems I expect to encounter are determining the current set in
some of the Inside Passages, since this might be counter to what would be
expected.

Maybe I'm making a bigger deal out of this than most, but I only have 25 hp
in a 13.5 ton full keel boat. Additionally, with the current price of fuel,
I don't want to waste an "Bucking the Current".

Thanks,
--
Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Steve wrote:
I should have mentioned that my The Capn nav software includes Tides and
Currents, but the graphic representations on the charts is very limited..

I prefer the Current Atlas approach since it shows a series of arrows in
most all passes and regions where accelerated currents might be experienced.
I consider it "good sport" take advantage of this and any back eddies when
the main current is against me.

One of the problems I expect to encounter are determining the current set in
some of the Inside Passages, since this might be counter to what would be
expected.

The marine charts do show feathers with the direction of
current flow all up on the BC Coast. In general in Southern
Georgia Strait they flood north, meeting the south coming
flood from the north end of Vancouver Island around Savary
Island.

Further north the flood current flows inward from the sea in
general.

In article ,
"Steve" wrote:

Maybe I'm making a bigger deal out of this than most, but I only have 25 hp
in a 13.5 ton full keel boat. Additionally, with the current price of fuel,
I don't want to waste an "Bucking the Current".

Thanks,
--
Steve
s/v Good Intentions

that's what anchors are for..........


Me

"Me" wrote in message
...

that's what anchors are for..........


From my present experience in the narrow deep passages of the Pac. NW.
anchoring is not an option once a strong current is experienced. Most depths
are several 100 feet.

However I prefer remain at anchor and plan my passages through these narrows
while still in my anchorage from the night before. That is why I want a good
current atlas.


--
My experience and opinion, FWIW
--
Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Steve wrote:

I should have mentioned that my The Capn nav software includes Tides
and Currents,

I use this too, and it's neat. But the locations are limited. That's where the
Tidefinder rules.

One of the problems I expect to encounter are determining the current
set in some of the Inside Passages, since this might be counter to
what would be expected.

This is true. Also, some spots aren't totally predictable. The closer you can
get, the better you can extrapolate from.

Maybe I'm making a bigger deal out of this than most, but I only have
25 hp in a 13.5 ton full keel boat. Additionally, with the current
price of fuel, I don't want to waste an "Bucking the Current".

Sometimes if you miss your window, you can waste a whole day waiting for
another. So accurate tide info is extremely valuable.

Matt O.

In article ,
"Steve" wrote:

"Me" wrote in message
...

that's what anchors are for..........


From my present experience in the narrow deep passages of the Pac. NW.
anchoring is not an option once a strong current is experienced. Most depths
are several 100 feet.

However I prefer remain at anchor and plan my passages through these narrows
while still in my anchorage from the night before. That is why I want a good
current atlas.


--
My experience and opinion, FWIW

Any "boat" that doesn't have 100 fathoms of anchor line fitted, is to
small to running around SE Alaska, and away from Home Port.


Me

Comment below:
"Me" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Steve" wrote:

"Me" wrote in message
...

that's what anchors are for..........


From my present experience in the narrow deep passages of the Pac. NW.
anchoring is not an option once a strong current is experienced. Most
depths
are several 100 feet.

However I prefer remain at anchor and plan my passages through these
narrows
while still in my anchorage from the night before. That is why I want a
good
current atlas.


--
My experience and opinion, FWIW

Any "boat" that doesn't have 100 fathoms of anchor line fitted, is to
small to running around SE Alaska, and away from Home Port.


Me

You didn't put much thought into this response, did you? Steve stated the
water is often several hundred (say 300?) feet deep. You suggest you can
anchor in that depth with 6oo feet of anchor line? Not much scope is it?And
you don't mind pulling 600 or a thousand feet of anchor rode when you want
to get under way?
--
Ken Heaton & Anne Tobin
Cape Breton Island, Canada
kenheaton AT ess wye dee DOT eastlink DOT ca