The scenery is an added bonus and waterfalls are
a dime a dozen.
Spelling the skipper
is always a possibility,
and one that lends it-
self to having a hands
on experience.
Need to Know Before You Go
Alaska’s Southeast tugboat rental
business has had its ups and its
A quick stop to throw out a couple of
crab pots then point the bow toward the
unoccupied, public dock.
A shiny black bear stands up on the
beach, woofs at us and blows across the
golden kelp line and marsh grass for the
woods several hundred yards away.
The wind is getting nasty; 36 knots
on the anemometer.
David spins the wheel, gooses the
throttle and sets up the landing to meet
the pier on the starboard flank. Kurt
holds the thick white mooring line. I
get ready to jump. A gust wallops us
sideways. Two more tries, two more
wallopings and we turn out, come
around again and this time line up with
our bow into the wind for a port-side
landing. David feathers the throttle
holds us in place, the wind pushes
us into the dock. The beach is a feast,
white with shattered shells; littlenecks,
butters, cockles.
We break out the obligatory sec-
ond night whisky, corn chips and filet
mignon. Jim cleans salmon. Home for
the night.
Tomorrow we pull the pots, wolf
down eggs and potatoes, check the chart
and head for …
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explore: NW | The Official Magazine for kenmore air | Spring 2019
downs.
Our tug-fitter, Legend Charters,
based in Juneau, is one of the oldest
in Southeast, operating since 2004.
Owned by David and Pat Carnes,
they offer a 42-foot Nordic tug with
licensed captain and packages from
three to eight days. Costs vary by
package and number of guests.
The largest tug-fitter broker in
Southeast with a fleet of a dozen
rentals has ended operation but some
of the tugs-32 to 54 feet-are under
individual ownerships and available
to rent from moorages in in Juneau
and Ketchikan. Most rates are based
on length of boat and number of pas-
sengers. Check the web for Southeast
locations and options.
If a USCG licensed captain is not
required, expect rental operators
to want at least one crew member
with large boat, single screw, power
experience.
Tugs are available “bareboat” with
you supplying food, fuel, cook, dock-
ing fees, bait etc. Or “fully chartered”
which means you bring a change of
clothes, rain gear and a toothbrush
and the tug-fitter provides skipper,
cook, food, fuel, tackle and all inci-
dental charges. Individually custom-
ized itineraries are standard whether
captained or self-guided.
Don’t assume your tug has a
microwave, outside grill, fish freezer,
landing skiffs or other amenities. Put
together a want list and ask.
Season is May-September, which
includes the peak of fishing, wildlife
sightings, marine mammals and good
weather.
King salmon are being closely
managed on an emergency basis and
may or may not be available in South-
east, depending on where you fish.
Hatchery enhanced terminal areas
should remain open. Peak for chinook
is May-July.
Silvers are July-September salmon;
sockeye, chums and pinks July-into
September; halibut, ling cod, rockfish
July-October. Dungeness crab mid-
May-August and shrimp all summer
peaking July-September. Most rentals
include crab and shrimp pots and can
provide tackle.
Legend Charters
www.alaskalegendcharters.com
[email protected]
907-586-4886