In Peril June 8

Peril Strait

Peril Strait passes between Chichagof and Baranof Islands before opening into Chatham Sound.  It is a major sea route for ships of all sizes trying to get from the inside waters to Sitka.  Sergius Narrows is the only place in Peril Strait that requires special attention.  The channel is 24 feet deep and 450 feet wide resulting in currents reaching 6 knots on large tides.  In a 7 knot boat, a 6 knot current is a problem.  But like all these narrow passages, transiting at slack is not a problem.  The challenge is figuring out when slack tide is and having the patience to wait.  Today slack tide is at 04:40, so we are up and away at 4:10 with time to spare.

From Peril Strait, we head south into Chatham Sound and work our way east to Admiralty Island.  We follow the shoreline south giving a wide berth at the southern end where rocks and shoals abound and turn north to reach this evening's anchorage, Chapin Bay. 

Chapin has a narrow opening to reach a bay that runs east/west.  I have identified the southeast corner as a possible anchorage since it appears to be the most sheltered from almost any wind.  But, the wind is not blowing and the western end of the bay looks like bear habitat.  We opt to set the anchor in "bear country" and have settled in for the evening when the wind kicks-up from the east.  There is little doubt the anchor will hold but there is also little doubt that we will be swinging at the end of the chain.  We decide to pull up the anchor and go back to Plan A.  In less than 1/2 hour, we are in the lee of the island and spend a quiet comfortable night at anchor.