2019 Wooden Boat Festival

Setting off from Victoria, British Columbia aboard their Grand Soleil 39 Yahtzee, Andy and Jill Cross’ plan was to voyage north to Alaska for the spring and summer of 2017 with two goals in mind: Sail as much of the 700-mile route north as possible and, once there, explore Alaska to the fullest. Along with their two young sons, they took an unconventional route downwind along the west coast of Vancouver Island, north to Haida Gwaii, and into Alaska, while only sailing upwind or motoring a mere 90 miles. Goal one achieved! Then, little did they know at the time, their summer exploring Southeast Alaska turned into over two years and thousands of miles sailing to Kodiak Island, Prince William Sound, the Kenai Peninsula and wintering in Seward. In this presentation, Andy will take you along for the ride through this unconventional adventure while also offering tips for taking a similar route.