ALASKAN SONG Yacht Charters in Southeast Alaska & the Pacific Northwest Since 1996

Our Cruises Include:

Whale & Wildlife Viewing

Great Photography

Sea-Kayaking

Fishing

Mineral Hot Springs

Gourmet Cuisine

Fine Vintage Wines

Lodging Ashore Nights 1 & 8

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TABLE of CONTENTS

Page 1. Table of Contents Page 2. Southeast Alaska Overviw Page 3/4. About the Yacht Page 5.. Layout Drawing of Page 6/7. About The Crew Page 8. Guest Comments & References Page 9. Alaska Whales and Wildlife Page 10. Sample Menu Page 11. Magazine Article – Power & Motoryacht March 1999 Page 14. Suggested Readings Page 15. Climate & Clothing Page 16. Luggage, Cameras , Etc. Page 17. Rates and Terms

Photographs ©1998-2009

by Cap’n Richard Friedman.

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YACHT CHARTER IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA

Southeastern Alaska has long been one of the most intriguing travel destinations in the United States. Most people have opted to visit these beautiful waters in cruise ships or in the Alaska Ferries. However, only from a smaller vessel can the grandeur and abundant wildlife of Alaska be fully appreciated. Because this cruise is yours it can be tailored for the particular interests and preferences of your group. If you fall in love with one spot, spend and extra day there. You dictate the schedule, the schedule doesn’t dictate to you! Whether catching salmon till your arms say no more or watching mighty humpback whales and Orca is your dream, Alaska is the place to go. A labyrinth of islands filled with returning salmon, the massive brown bears feeding by the river banks, bald eagles nearly as numerous as the seagulls; Alaska will not disappoint those who love wildlife and majestic scenery. Stops in historical villages of the area will reveal traces of Russian culture with their orthodox churches, as well as the rich artistic tradition of the Haida and Tlingit native peoples. Custom side trips can be arranged as well. Whether is be a flight over the glaciers or to a prime trout lake for some world class fly fishing, let your charter captain know so he can make the arrangements for you. Fresh salmon, halibut, dungeness crab and spot prawns prepared by Explorer’s gourmet chef are some of the culinary delights that await your palate.

May and June are the most reliably dry months and offer the best fishing for king salmon. July and August are a bit wetter but are also warmer and provide the best silver salmon fishing. Halibut, and crab can be found all summer. Explorer is the perfect “small ship” from which to enjoy the beauty and grandeur of Alaska. With her deep heavy hull, four fin stabilizer system, and hot

water central furnace she will transport her guests in warmth, comfort and style. Arrangements for your Alaska charter should be made as early as possible. There are a limited number of boats available and the increasing popularity of this destination has many boats booked a full year in advance! Explorer’s calendar fills early, so don’t wait too long if you have a particular week in mind.

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ABOUT THE YACHT ALASKAN SONG

ALASKAN SONG is a gracious 96 foot long yacht originally built in southern California for the U.S. Navy as an Air/Sea Rescue boat at the end of World War II. She underwent a yacht conversion in the mid 1970s in Vancouver, Washington. At the time the new, fabricated aluminum house and superstructure were added and a sumptuous interior of beautifully crafted wild teak was executed. Since 1996 she has been employed as a charter yacht in Alaska. The prior owners did many tasteful updates to make her a nearly ideal charter yacht. Alaskan Song is a remarkably stable vessel that gives her passengers a comfortable and easy ride. She is equipped with the latest in navigation and communication equipment, as well as outstanding climate control both heat and air conditioning can be set individually in each of our four guest staterroms

Our Boat is equipped with the full range of amenities and recreational equipment. Her robust naval heritage, and timeless, classic interior make ALASKAN SONG the ideal yacht on which to experience the unmatched,

rugged beauty of Alaska in

comfort safety and style.

Guest accommodations include four master suites with nsuite head & showers two have double and single berths and two have twin singles.

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ALASKAN SONG’s TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS YEAR BUILT - 1944 Hull built in California - Cabin and Interior Completed in 1975 in Washington State with many regular upgrades, refits and remodeling since. DIMENSIONS - Length – 96 ft. Beam – 22 ft. Draft - 5 ft. - Displacement - 98 tons - Fuel - 2,200 Gallons Water - 800 Gallons MATERIALS - Keel, Frames Wmerican White Oak - Planking – Double – Inner Port Orford Cedar – Outer Honduran Mahogany - Decks – Fibreglassed Plywood - Fasteners – Silicon Bronze - House and Cabin - Masts, - Fabricated Aluminum - Interior Woodwork – Wild (not plantation) AsianTeak MECHANICAL - Main Engines – 2- Lugger 425 HP - Generators – 2 Yanmar 15 kW & 20 kW - Power Inverter - Outback - 2,500 watts - Air Conditioning – 2 Marine Air - Ships Furnace - Olympia - Boiler - 125,000 BTU - Water Heater s - 2 50 gallon & 39 gallon - Watermaker – Village Marine - 50 Gallons Per Hour GALLEY - 20 Cu.Ft. Refrigerator built in - 19 Cu.Ft. Freezer - Ice Maker - Garbage Compactor - LPG 5 burner Range &

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- Ge Electric Oven - Microwave Oven - Miele Dishwasher ELECTRONICS - Radar – 2x Furuno - 48 Mile 15" Screen - Autopilot - ComNav - Video Depth Sounder– Furuno - Side Scanning Sonar - Wesmar - 2 VHF Radios - ICOM - 2 Computers With Windows Charting Systems - 3 GPSs - Garmin ENTERTAINMENT - AM/FM Receiver - Speakers throughout the boat - 400 DVD Jukebox System in Salon - TV – 32” Sony LCD - Large Video, CD, and Book Library - 60 gb Zune MP3 player - Hydrophone Underwater Microphone RECREATIONAL GEAR -2 x 15 Foot Boston Whalers w/ 70hp 4-stroke Outboards - 2 Two-Person fiberglass Sea Kayaks and 2 inflatable 2-Person Sea Kayaks - Extensive Fishing Gear, crab pots and shrimp traps

LAYOUT DRAWING

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ALASKAN SONG’S CREW

The Key to a great charter is a good crew. ALASKAN SONG has a crew that works well together, bringing a spirit of camaraderie, humor and mutual respect to their efforts on behalf of our guests. While ALASKAN SONG is a unique and lovely boat what really makes the charter experience is the crew! ALASKAN SONG's crew includes a Captain Chef and Steward/Deckhand.

CAPTAIN RICHARD FRIEDMAN Richard was born in 1950 and raised in West Hartford, Connecticut. Affable,

competent and experienced, Richard has been on the water for over 40 years, since he first sailed as a young boy on Long Island Sound. As a young man, Richard served as cook and engineer aboard commercial fishing boats in Alaska. For 10 years, starting in 1972, he fished salmon, tuna and herring on the Pacific from Santa Barbara to the Bering Sea. For five years beginning in 1978, he captained his own purse seine boat as a commercial fisherman in those waters. In 1984, having made a transition to a desk job, Richard secured his U.S. Coast Guard Master's License and began running both power and sailing charters in Washington and British Columbia during the summer cruising season. He and his wife, Nancy, purchased Explorer in 1994 and spent two years circumnavigating North America with their three young sons, Julian, Gabriel and Asher. In 1996 he and his family brought Explorer

through the Panama Canal to the west coast. He has been chartering in Southeast Alaska since 1996. Richard is an engaging, warm and entertaining skipper, drawing especially on his passions for natural history, anthropology, history and literature. He is an avid bird watcher, a dedicated photographer and an enthusiastic sport fisherman. He has

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completed a college level class with the Alaska Naturalist Institute, a department of the University of Alaska Southeast in Sitka and is certified as an Alaska Naturalist. Richard is fluent in Spanish With experience from the remote waters of the Aleutian Islands to the rocky coast of Maine, he can comfortably navigate any waters. In addition, he astounds folks with his ability to fix almost any mechanical, hydraulic, electrical or plumbing problem. Richard has long standing interest in cooking, an appreciation of great wines and an intimate knowledge of the seafood of Alaska. During your charter Richard will uncork a carefully chosen selection of the world's fine wines for you.

Richard's warm, hospitable nature, lively curiosity and broad maritime experience assure all of Explorer's guests of an informative, safe, and enjoyable charter.

CHEF NANCY FRIEDMAN

NANCY returns to Alaska for her third full season as chef and hostess. Born in the Deep South, raised there as well as in the Pacific Northwest, Nancy came to Bellingham, Washington to study theater at Western Washington University. She worked and cooked in several restaurants.

In 1983 she and Richard met and married the following spring. As a couple the Friedman's have been exploring the waters of the Northwest and the world by boat ever since. Nancy learned to use the bounty of seas with ingenuity and style.

Nancy is known as a creative and entertaining hostess. Like all good chefs, Nancy's life informs her culinary creations. Picking up dishes and stories from around the world and bringing them to the table aboard Explorer; tastes and cultures combine in a way that is sure to delight and surprise. She has a wide ranging and eclectic culinary repertoire.

Nancy and Richard worked together on several different yachts as charter crew before their three boys now age 21, 19 & 18 were born. The plan has always been for them to serve charter guests as a couple...but that has had to wait until their boys were old enough. 22 years later, Nancy and Richard are back together again as a yacht crew team. Nancy made her Alaska debut on our old boat, Explorer, for one month in 2006. 2007 was her fist full charter season in Alaska.

As an artist and caregiver, Nancy

brings intention, grace and an open heart to food, people and life.

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GUEST COMMENTS

Observations by some our guests during the past season

"The five guests and myself, having never visited Alaska, were thoroughly spoiled by Richard's hospitality and knowledge of the area. We visited different harbors each day and saw remote spots where other pleasure craft were not even visible. Pat's cuisine was unmatched by any five star restaurant and varied with each meal. EXPLORER is an excellent vessel for Alaskan waters and I would be privileged to recommend her without reservation to any potential charterer who might be interested in my opinion.” Joe Bartram – Newport, Rhode Island “Bellisimo! Very pleased to suggest this experience to our friends. My only suggestion is: Please come to the Mediterranean”. Enzo Zannini – Milano, Italy “Incomparable – Extraordinary – Memorable – Educational – Fattening… There was altogether too much hilarity on board. My face hurts from laughing. This was an exceptionally wonderful week. We loved every minute of it … I can’t say enough about the fabulous food.” Cissy Van Stone – Fort Lauderdale, Florida “Without a doubt the best Yachting experience I have ever had in my many years of boating. I can suggest this cruise very strongly to anyone seeking an ultimate

experience in adventure, exploring in safety and comfort with privacy … Avery special way to experience the action, grandeur, and beauty of Southeast Alaska.” Bob & Franny Haws – Kaneohe, Hawaii “ The best vacation of my life! The boat was extraordinary, the captain and the crew were great, the food was unparalleled, the fishing was hot, the whales were everywhere...My notion of heaven would be waking up every morning to discover there are three days left of the cruise. Chuck Sheridan – Redwood Shores, California “Best boating experience I’ve ever had – and I’ve had a lot. Totally professional, eminently personal.Richard Thiel – Editor in Chief - Power and Motoryacht magazine

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“This has been an experience of a lifetime. It was a real vacation – no stress, very relaxing and exciting! Greatest vacation I have experienced. Your crew, everything and everyone was just great.” Craig and Kathy Keith - Petaluma, California “There may be other great boats and great itineraries but there is only one Explorer and crew. As the doubter in the group (moving from sailboat to trawler) the experience was truly memorable…we’ll be back.” Ed Miller – Williamsburg, Virginia “The Explorer lived up to its name. We saw glaciers, whales, sea lions, dolphins, bears, bald eagles, and great scenery. But on top of that the Explorer provided fantastic cuisine and a warm, friendly environment. This is a trip I would highly recommend to anyone. It was a beautiful and wonderful trip.” Roy Moss - Huntington Beach, California

References available by request

WHALES & WILDLIFE

Alaska is the summer home to many humpback whales. Orcas, Brown Bears feeding on Salmon, Sea Otters, Sea Lions, mountain goats & Bald Eagles are some of the wildlife that you are likely to see on your trip. At times if feels like we are in the middle of a National Geographic special. Be sure to bring binoculars, cameras and plenty of film, tape or memory cards. You will take more pictures than you expect.

The abundance of Alaska's Wildlife is staggering. Close viewing of Humpback Whales is almost a daily event during our cruises. Killer Whales, Minke Whales, Dall Porpoise, Sea Lions, Seals, Sea Otters, Alaskan Brown Bear, Black Bear, Mountain Goats, Timber Wolves, are a few of the other mammals you may see when you visit Alaska. The incredible variety of birds you might see includes: Bald Eagles,

Puffins, Harlequin Ducks, Hummingbirds several species of Loons and albatross. Captain Richard Friedman is a Naturalist, accredited by the University of Alaska. He is also an avid amateur photographer. Most of

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the photos on this site are his work. Let us know about your particular interests and we will make sure to plan day hikes and special cruising days to view and/or photograph the wildlife you are most interested in.

ALASKAN SONG has an extensive library of reference books and field guides to the natural history of the region. There are also many books on the history of Alaska and various marine topics. We have extra binoculars and a night vision scope for our guest's use. We provide substantial computer support (including card readers and a CD burner) for our guests who bring digital cameras. We also have a hydrophone on board allowing us to listen to the songs and other vocalizations of the whales.

SAMPLE MENU The menu for each group is planned by Chef Nancy after gathering information about the tastes ,preferences and special needs of each guest in the charter group. The menu can and does change during the cruise depending on available ingredients and the fresh catch of the day.

DAY ONE

LUNCH Alaskan Razor Clam Chowder

Wild Greens Salad – Crusty Bread Bling Bling Cookies

DINNER Spinach Salad w/ Warm Shallot

Vinaigrette Pork Tenderloin Medallions w/ Fig

& Port Sauce - Wild Rice Pilaf Honey Glazed Carrots w/ Lemon &

Thyme Wines – Cote d’ Rhone – Aussie

Shiraz Poached Pears w/ Crème Anglais

& Fresh Raspberries

DAY TWO BREAKFAST

Coffee-Tea-Juice Fresh Fruit- Bourbon Vanilla French Toast

Thick Sliced Bacon LUNCH

Polenta Lasagna w/ Roasted Veggies, Goat Cheese w/ Roasted

Tomato Cream Sauce Fresh Baked Chocolate Brownies

DINNER Grilled Fresh Caught King Salmon

w/ Herbed Butter Sauce Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Grilled Asparagus w/ Lemon

Wines – Pinot Noir – Chardonnay (USA)

Bananas Foster

DAY THREE BREAKFAST

Coffee-Tea-Juice - Fresh Fruit

Irish Steel-Cut Oatmeal w/ Dried Fruit Fresh Baked Blueberry Crème Scones

LUNCH

Buffalo Cheeseburgers in Paradise Home Made Potato Chips

Snickerdoodles

DINNER Caprese Salad

Braised Lamb Shanks Lemon Roasted New Potatoes

Herbed Green Beans Wines – Rioja - Grenache (Spain)

Plum Tart

DAY FOUR BREAKFAST

Coffee-tea-juice – Fresh Fruit

Frittata w/ pancetta Goat Cheese Spinach

English Muffins w/ Ginger Marmalade

LUNCH

Gingered Butternut Squash Soup Mixed Greens w/ Candied

Pecans, Gorgonzola & Seared Asian Pears

Alaskan Song Oatmeal Cookies

DINNER Paella “Catch of the Day”

Shaved Fennel Salad w/ Orange Sections, Avocado & Pinenuts Wines - Albarino – Torrontes

Vanilla Bean Crème Brule

DAY FIVE

BREAKFAST

Coffee-Tea-Juice Scrambled Eggs w/ Smoked

Salmon & Avocado Potato Latkes w/ Sour Cream

LUNCH Peel & Eat Shrimp & Crab Fest

Classic Caesar Salad Warm Crusty Bread

EXPLORER ALASKA YAcht chARtERS

P.O. Box 70 Bellingham, WA 98227-0070 (360) 714-8970 (800) 901-1220

E-Mail – info@yachtexplorer.com Website - http://www.yachtexplorer.com

Ice Cream w/Crushed Wild Alaska Berries

DINNER Grilled New York Steak w/

Béarnaise Baked Potatoes w/ Crispy

Pancetta & Chives Watercress Salad w/ pan

Roasted Pears, Pecans & Shaved Parmesan

Wines – Cabernet - Toro (Spain) Carrot Cake w/ Fresh Pineapple

DAY SIX

BREAKFAST Coffee - Tea - Juice

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes Link Sausage – Real Maple Syrup

LUNCH

Halibut Cakes – Orange Tarragon Butter Sauce

Served on Bed of Butter Lettuce Crusty French Bread

Fresh Molasses Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

DINNER Mixed Greens w/ Citrus Vinaigrette

Halibut – Parmesan Crusted w/ Mango Salsa Creamy Polenta

Croissant Bread Pudding DAY SEVEN

BREAKFAST Coffee-Tea-Juice

Fresh Dungeness Crab Benedict Fresh Melon w/ Ginger Syrup & Mint

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Food, Fins and Floes

A classic yacht and a garrulous crew provide a memorable Alaska Charter. By: Richard Thiel, Editor-in-Chief,

Power and Motoryacht magazine Reprinted with permission from the March 1999 issue

I've never been interested in a crewed charter. To me, half of the appeal of being on a boat is piloting and coursemaking, so why pay someone else to have all the fun? But last summer I decided that I wanted to do a three-generation cruise with my father Lloyd and my daughter Rikki. And I didn’t want us to just enjoy the scenery; I wanted us to have time to get reacquainted, and that meant focusing on family and not the boat.

I also knew where I wanted to cruise: Alaska. I'd been there once(on a bareboat charter) and was sure Rikki and Lloyd, neither of whom had, would be awed. And I knew what kind of yacht I wanted: not some cushy megayacht, but a salty, classic, seamanlike vessel, manned by a crew who'd entertain us with an endless supply of local knowledge and rollicking tales. But where to find such a combination?

Fortunately, I knew Ray Vidic, who runs ABC Alaska Yacht Charters. I had only to sketch out the basics, and Ray knew just what I wanted: EXPLORER, a wooden, double-ended, North Sea trawler built in Ireland in 1976 and refitted in 1988. Classic? Enough to have won the silver cup as best powerboat at the Newport Wooden Boat Show. Vidic also assured me that EXPLORER's captain, Richard Friedman, could entertain us on subjects ranging from oceanography to ornithology. Rumor had it her cook, a Montanan named Pat Brown, was a pretty fair hand too.

As luck would have it, the four-cabin Explorer was partially booked for a trip beginning July 30. San Franciscans Susan and Chuck Sheridan were due to board in Sitka, then journey to Warm Springs Bay on the eastern side of Baranof Island, with Chuck fly-fishing for coho and king salmon and cutthroat trout along the way. All we had to do was get to Warm Springs Bay, and in Alaska that means one thing: float plane.

So early on the morning of August 2, Rikki, Lloyd and I crammed ourselves and our gear into a single-engine, four-seater for a real look at Alaska. As we left Juneau beneath us on a brilliant morning, the horizon came alive with towering peaks, snowfields, glaciers and the bluest water we'd ever seen. We flew the length of Admiralty Island, which our pilot told us is home to more brown bears per square mile than anywhere in the world. Yet although we were cruising at only 1,200 feet, we saw signs of neither animal nor man until we banked into a shallow turn and Warm Springs Bay revealed itself.

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There were only two boats in the harbor, and it was obvious which was Explorer. With her two big masts and green and white hull, she looked more like she was from Alaska than from the North Sea. Our float plane gently touched down and drifted up to the floating dock where Friedman awaited, looking just the way I'd imagined: big, bear like, bearded and smiling warmly. Perched on Explorer's bridge was Brown, who frankly was not exactly what I had expected as a yacht chef. Gravelly voiced and grizzled, he reminded me more of the guys I played poker with back in my Wyoming days. What the heck, I thought. With this boat and this scenery, as long as he could make good coffee and a passable sandwich, we'd survive.

I was more worried about sharing a 60-footer with another couple, but being with the Sheridans turned out to be more like a reunion than a meeting. Within moments we were all getting on like old shipmates. They had selected Explorer's lower master suite, so my father opted for the main-deck master, while I took the ultimate risk: sharing the twin-berth starboard cabin with a 13-year-old.

Chuck, a devoted fly-fisherman, was intent on adding to his already impressive catch list, which gave us some time to explore. Friedman recommended the hot springs for which the area was named, only a 10-minute walk away, so off we went. Two hours after boarding the floatplane we were soaking in a series of cascading pools, each a different temperature. After only a few minutes our travel fatigue and jet lag had disappeared, and we were ready to see Alaska. Topping our list: whales and icebergs.

We returned to Explorer to find lunch waiting: tomato bisque, salmon pasta salad, and fresh fruit compote. Obviously Brown was no mere cook; he is a chef, and an accomplished one at that. After presenting this spread, he returned to the galley to work on that night's fare: faccacia, seafood crepes Newburg, polenta with spinach pesto and Montrachet sauce, buttered peas and carrots, and a deluxe ice cream sundae.

As we dined in Explorer's cozy saloon, Friedman guided her out of the bay and southwest, down Chatham Strait on our way to Red Bluff Bay. The combination of 90 tons and 208 hp ensured that the passage would be leisurely - about eight knots. But what she lacked in speed Explorer made up for in comfort. With all that mass, a full underbody, round bilges and fin stabilizers (rarely needed), she casually shouldered through whatever seas we encountered.

Almost immediately we began to see the smoky plumes that mark the location of whales. We also quickly discovered a big advantage of hiring an experienced captain: Friedman knew where the whales were and how to approach them without spooking or harassing them. Over the next three days we became almost inured to the sight of huge fins, flukes and sleek bodies so close we could smell the whales fishy exhalations.

As the passage wore on, Explorer's gentle motion and softly thrumming diesel produced a narcotic effect. As would happen every day, we each drifted off to our cabins for a little shut-eye, and before you knew it there were only Friedman at the wheel and Brown in the galley. When I could resist the urge to nap, I joined Friedman in the pilothouse for a chat. As advertised, he was a living Alaskan Almanac, full of information on cetology, ethnology, history, flora and fauna. I also learned that he spent a decade fishing commercially from Santa Barbara to the Bering Sea and had once owned a 58-foot purse seiner.

A few hours later the narrow cut into Red Bluff Bay fetched up on our starboard quarter. We motored another half hour up the long fjord, then anchored near a stream where Chuck could try his luck with the pink

salmon.. Friedman and I took the aluminum skiff downbay to some traps which held the shrimp that would be that night's hors d'oeuvres. Back onboard, we all stuffed ourselves on Brown's fabulous creations, after which we learned he was as good a raconteur as gourmand. He regaled us with stories from his colorful past, but my favorite comment came

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when I asked him if he'd ever been married. "Seven times," he dead-panned. "When it comes to women, my philosophy is catch and release."

The next morning we awoke to the idling diesel. Friedman was anxious to be underway, for we had a fairly long passage ahead: first to Yasha Island for halibut fishing, then to The Brothers, an anchorage known for its beauty, solitude, and nearby sea lion rookery. The fishing turned out to be less than spectacular, although Rikki tagged onto one specimen that managed to part her rod's 80-pound test. The rookery was amazing. We heard it first, then smelled it, then finally saw the island, alive with hundreds of squally, pugnacious sea lions. We anchored Explorer, and then returned in the skiff for a closer look. Aware that sea lions are naturally curious and frequently aggressive, we approached cautiously. A welcoming committee came out to greet us, but when a couple of huge bulls apparently questioned our intentions, we hotfooted it back to Explorer. Later Rikki accepted a $20 bet that she couldn't withstand the glacial water long enough to swim all the way around Explorer. She did it, but spent the next hour under a hot shower, until summoned for another Pat Brown spread.

The next day provided the most abundant, close-up whale watching of the trip, as we cruised up the eastern shore of Admiralty Island. Our destination was the entrance to Tracy Arm, another fjord that culminated in the spectacular Sawyer Glacier. Long before we entered the arm, we encountered ice floes, some pure white, some crystal clear. As we wove our way through them, Pat announced that the evening meal - a southwestern affair punctuated by Chayote Salad Especial, chicken and mushroom enchiladas with tomatillo sauce, and real frijoles refritos - would be crowned

with a special drink: "Ten and Ten." He then dispatched three of us to retrieve some floe ice with a large net. Later each of us - except Rikki - was presented with a Ten & Ten: 10-year-old scotch whiskey over 10,000-year-old ice.

Our fourth day was the most spectacular, for we motored all the way up Tracy Arm, avoiding more numerous and larger floes and entering strangely aquamarine water until Explorer lay bracketed by vertical rock walls at the very foot of Sawyer Glacier. The sight, punctuated by the calving of large ice chunks, was stunning but more impressive were the sounds, a cacophony of grinds and groans and occasional explosions as the ice writhed under the immense pressure of the glacial mass. We could only stare dumbly at the incredible scene.

After a couple of hours we motored back out of the arm, bound for Taku Harbor and a final dinner of - fittingly - halibut and baked Alaska. Everyone agreed that Brown's cooking would demand a severe diet back home, yet we nevertheless managed to find room for a farewell breakfast of Eggs Benedict the next morning.

And just that quick we were back in bustling Juneau and it was over. We departed Explorer with new friendships and amazing memories, plus a few extra pounds under our belts. For me the experience had provided a chance to be in a special place with special people and proof that a crewed charter has unique charms - as long as you choose the right yacht and crew. By: Richard Thiel, Editor-in-Chief, Power and Motoryacht magazine Reprinted with permission

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SUGGESTED ALASKA READING LIST Guidebooks & Travelogues

Passage to Juneau Jonathan Raban Pantheon Books 0-679-44262-6

New in 1999 – A lovely & thoughtful look at the history and culture of the area Recent travelogue in English tradition.

The Coastal Companion Joe Upton Coastal Publishing 0-9645682-0-9 All around guide to the entire inside passage

Alaska Blues Joe Upton Coastal Publishing Earlier writings from commercial fisherman’s perpective

Southeast Alaska- Touring the Inside Passage Sarah Eppenbach Globe Pequot Press 1-56440-363-7 Good background on history, wildlife, weather, native heritage and points of interest

Adventure Guide to Coastal Alaska Lynn & Ed Readicker-Henderson Hunter Publishing 1-55650-630-9 All around guide to coastal Alaska

History & Fiction

Where the Sea Breaks its Back Corey Ford Alaska Northwest Books 0-88240-394-X

Story of naturalist Georg Steller and the Russian Exploration of Alaska The Sea Runners Ivan Doig Penguin 0-14-006780-9

Fictional Account of true story about four Swedish indenture servant who escape Sitka in a stolen Tlingit canoe and paddle all the way to the Columbia River. A great read!

Humpback Island F. Bruce Steadman Gorham Printing 0-9648041-0-7 Novel takes place in Icy Straits near Hoonah and Glacier Bay

The Reader’s Companion to Alaska Alan Ryan Harcourt Brace 0-15-600368-6 Compendium of great travel writing about Alaska

Working on the Edge Spike Walker St. Martin’s Press 0-312-08924-4 Great account of the perils of work on a king crab boat not about Southeast but a great read

The Inside Passage to Alaska Hugo Anderson Anderson Publishing 0-945989-21-0 Hard to find but worth the effort

Cruising Guides and Mariner’s Resources

Exploring the Inside Passage to Alaska Don & Rene Douglas Fine Edge Prod. 0-938665-33-2

Excellent guide to anchorages and passages San Juan Islands to Skagway Charlie’s Charts – North to Alaska Charles Wood 0-9697265-4-6

Similar to above but not as detailed on anchorages – good hand drawn charts Southeast Alaska Current Atlas Randel Washbourne Weatherly Press 0-935727-05-1

Invaluable graphic atlases of tidal currents – requires current annual tables Southeast Alaska Boat Harbor Directory Alaska Dept. Fish & Game

Complete information & charts of all small boat harbors in Southeast Alaska Other Books of Note

• Travels in Alaska, John Muir • National Geographic, January 1984, "Southeast Alaska-An Incredible Feasting of Whales" (highly recommended) • Guide to Marine Mammals of Alaska, Kate Wynne • The Sierra Club Handbook to Whales and Dolphins, Leatherwood and Reeves • Voyaging With the Whales, Cynthia D'Vincent • Alaska's Glaciers, Alaska Geographic • Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast, J. Pojar & A. MacKinnon • The Tlingit, A. Krause (about native cultures) • I Heard an Owl Call My Name, Margaret Craven (about priest who learns the ways of the native culture) • Raven Stole the Moon, Garth Stein – Supernatural thriller set in modern day Alaska

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CLIMATE Southeastern Alaska is a temperate rain forest, with the most rain falling in the southern part. Annual rainfall amounts range from 150 inches in Ketchikan to 30 inches in Skagway. May and June are the driest months while July and August are a bit wetter but warmer as well. Normal temperatures run from the mid-fifties to low seventies with temps dropping about ten degrees at night. Rarely, when the sun comes out, temps in the eighties can occur. It is important to note that there can be up to 20 hours of daylight in early summer. The weather in southeast can and does change with amazing frequency. In order to stay comfortable one needs to be prepared for these changes.

Juneau Weather and Hours of Daylight Avg. High Avg. Low Avg. Rain Daylight

JAN 29 19 4.5" 7.1 hrs FEB 34 23 3.75" 9.4 hrs. MAR 39 27 3.28" 11.8 hrs. APR 47 32 2.77" 14.4 hrs. MAY 55 39 3.42" 16.8 hrs JUNE 61 45 3.15" 18.3 hrs. JULY 64 48 4.16" 17.6 hrs. AUG 63 47 5.32" 15.4 hrs. SEPT 56 43 6.73" 12.8 hrs. OCT 47 37 7.84" 10.3 hrs. NOV 37 27 4.91" 7.9 hrs. DEC 32 23 4.44" 6.4 hrs.

CLOTHING

Casual clothing is the norm both on the boat and in town, even in some of the better restaurants. Staying warm, dry and comfortable will allow you to maximize the enjoyment of your experience. Layering for warmth is the best approach. If you plan to be outside in windy or rainy conditions, we recommend a long sleeve shirt, sweater and waterproof windbreaker and rain pants.

• Pants (Levi’s, denims) • Shirts (long & short sleeved cotton, one flannel-like, one turtle-neck) • Sweaters ( sweatshirts, wool or synthetic pile) • Sweatpants or other comfortable pants • Rain jacket/windbreaker - preferably with hood • Rain pants - lightweight waterproof/optional-some of us even go out on rainy days! • Shorts (it can be warm!) • Gloves - lightweight wool gloves are the best • Bathing suit (in case we stop at a hot springs) • Hats - one wool hat for at the glaciers and a sun visor or ball cap • Shoes - Soft, with non-marking soles for the boat. Knee-high rubber boots for hiking, beach landings

and tide pooling. Rubber boots can be easily cleaned of after a muddy hike. If you don't want to pack boots, you can buy inexpensive ones in Juneau.

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LUGGAGE

Remember that you will be on a boat. The cabins have a closet and drawers, but storage is limited. Soft luggage or duffel bags are preferred as they fold and stow so you will not be competing for space in your stateroom with your luggage.

EQUIPMENT AND OTHER ITEMS

• Soft day pack • Binoculars • Sunglasses • Flashlight • Sun block, lip balm • Camera with extra batteries & lots of film • Freshwater fishing gear (saltwater gear is provided) • CD's (if you have a favorite) We have a library of over 200 CDs • Personal toiletries • Bring sunscreen, just in case. Bug spray is a good idea too. Mosquitoes are generally not a problem

on board but can be in small, quiet, windless coves or on shore.

CAMERA AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT

• Rule #1: Start with fresh batteries and bring extras

• Rule #2: Bring twice the amount of film than you think you could possibly use. You'll really kick yourself if you run out!

• 400 ASA film allows you to shoot in the many different light conditions, but the prints will be grainier if you enlarge the pictures. If you are more into photography, you may want to use film in the range of ASA 64 (slides) or ASA 100 (prints) for sunny days to ASA 200 for overcast days. If you use a camera with interchangeable lenses, bring at least one wide-angle lens (between 24mm and 50mm) and one telephoto. An 80-200mm zoom is the most versatile. A 300mm lens can be very useful for wildlife, if you have a steady hand.

• If you have a video camera, you'll be able to get great footage and you'll be recharging your battery often, so bring two batteries.

• When traveling in the skiff we will be close to the water. Even on a sunny day in calm water there is an "invisible" salt mist in the air. This is hard on camera equipment. Make sure to bring some kind of case for your equipment or at least a heavy plastic bag. Rubbing alcohol works great to remove salt spray from camera bodies. Lens cleaning fluid or a chamois cloth is best for cleaning lenses.

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2013 CHARTER RATES & TERMS

One night deluxe (double occupancy) accommodations in both Sitka and Juneau are included in your 9 day 8 night package. In Juneau you will be picked up at the airport by a van from the Goldbelt Hotel. They will transport you and your luggage to the centrally located hotel. In Sitka you will be staying at the Westmark. These are the two best hotels in their respective towns and are subject to availability. We will provide transportation from your hotel to our Alaska charter boat. You may extend your stay in either city (you will be responsible for the extra charges).

Your only incidental expenses for the Alaska charter boats will be hard liquor (beer and wine are provided), fishing licenses and crew gratuities. You will be on the vessel 7 days and 6 nights.

Cruise Package Costs* $28,000 for four guests (minimum) + $3,000 per additional guest

• 4 person group - $7,000 Per Person ($28,000 for group of 4)

• 6 person group - $5,666 Per Person ($34,000 for group of 6)

• 8 person group - $5,000 per person ($40,000 for group of 8)

• 10 person group - $4,600 per person ($46,000 for group of 10)

On occasion we book a trip "By The Cabin," double occupancy for $14,000. Call for availability.

Reservations, Deposits and Payments - Prior to October 1, A deposit of 25% is required to secure your reservation for the charter. The deposit must be received by Alaska Yacht Charters within fourteen days of your reservation or it will be released. A second payment of 25% is due by October 1. You will be invoiced for the balance which must be paid 90 days before the date the charter is scheduled to begin.

Cancellations & Refunds - If a charterer cancels, deposits and final payments are fully refundable only if the dates you have reserved are rebooked with another charter. Partial booking of those dates will result in a prorated refund. If not refunded, you may travel with us the same season on a cruise of similar value or length subject to space and operations. In the unlikely event that we cancel a cruise due to a mechanical breakdown, you will receive a full refund of all monies paid to us. Refunds are paid, in full, of all moneys received by Explorer Yacht Charters.

Changes of Schedule - Explorer Yacht Charters reserves the right to make changes in our schedules for any reason up to 6 months before the charter; or at any time if necessary for the safety of the guests. In the event of breakdown, Explorer Yacht Charters reserves the right to make a timely substitute of vessel to one of comparable or superior size and quality. We also reserve the right to substitute crew.

Trip Insurance - Many travel advisors recommend trip insurance. Good trip insurance will cover cancellation due to your illness or that of a family member as well as cancellation due to inclement weather

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EXPLORER YACHT CHARTERS For More Information

Visit Our Web Site: http://www.yachtexplorer.com

Or Contact: Captain Richard Friedman

P.O. Box 70 Bellingham WA, 98227 (September - April)

P.O. Box 2262 Sitka, AK 99835 (May - August)

Phone: (360) 714-8970 Toll Free (800) 901-1220

E-Mail: richard@yachtexplorer.com

_________________________________________ Poem by Peter Bunce of St. Louis MO

Guest on board July, 2000 The Explorer is a bonnie boat

A bonnie boat is she

From Chatham Straight to Peril Straight

She sails the Alaskan Seas

And those who sail upon this boat

Can tell heroic tales

Of Porpoises and Orcas

And mighty pods of Whales

For some it's wildlife hits the spot

For others it's the scenery

Richard say's "that's not enough

we also need cuisinery"

Pats' the Chef and

Cami waits and Richards' maitre d'

If Michelin knew about this boat

we'd rate two stars or three

The food is as spectacular

as the wildlife and scenery

To put it in vernacular

This is quite a floating Beanery

So if Alaska rings your bell

and you are lusting for her

Take my advice and rush pell mell

to book the yacht Explorer.

©2009 Explorer Yacht Charters