Khutze Inlet to Butedale

Before we started on our day’s journey, I wanted to see if I could replace the impeller on the 20kW generator. This generator is one of the hardest things to access on the boat and I hate working on it. After removing sound shield panels, spare oil and numerous other obstacles, I was able to reach the water pump and remove the impeller. Unfortunately, along with the impeller (which was still intact and clearly not the problem) came the entire impeller shaft. Apparently, it had sheared clean off.

OOOps!

Emails go out to Shearwater Marine to see if they can get the part and schedule us for the installation in about 10 days when we start to head back south.

Thankfully, all but one other boat left Khutze early this morning in the rain. So, as I did battle with the generator, Karen enjoyed the return to solitude and watched for mamma bear and her three cubs to appear at the waterfall.

As we were leaving Khutze Inlet, we saw four boats on the AIS about two miles ahead of us.

We followed them and Karen started to worry that they were also headed to Butedale, putting potential dock space at a premium because these were fairly large boats. As we continued on, they turned up up Butedale Passage and clearly set a course for Butedale proper.  As they turned into Butedale, I called them on the radio and asked if they were just sightseeing or planning to spend the night.  Turns out they had received permission to stay overnight as we had.

The four of them took up the whole length of the dock, but M/V Lahaina Sailor was kind enough to offer a raft with him. She is a 58-foot Cape Horn, so how could we turn down such a solid berth? It was very nice of them to offer rafting to strangers, and they greeted us with open arms and friendly smiles.

Oceanflyer rafted to FUBAR 24 fLEET AT bUTDALE

It turns out this group has travelled together before, in Mexico. They call this year’s trip FUBAR ‘24, and they have the t-shirts and other swag to show their affiliation. This is their first trip north to Alaska, so we were able to share with them some ideas of places to go and things to do. They are a warm and friendly group who seem to be having a great time together.

It has been eleven years since we were last at Butedale. We have very fond memories of being given a “tour” of the dilapidated facilities including the power generation house,  which used older wooden flumes and newer metal pipes to divert runoff from the large lake to the power generating system. We then were also able to tour the large abandoned cannery building and the caretaker’s house.

IN THE BACKGROUND IS THE LAKE THAT MAKES BUTDALE WHAT IT WAS AND COULD BE

Since that time, the property has been purchased by Inside Passage Marine. There are lots of plans for future development and the property is for sale or joint venture. There has been a lot of decay since we were last here, and some of the buildings have been completely removed. The most visible improvement is the dock, which is now large and secure. When we were here so long ago, it was a bit of a waterlogged, narrow, moss covered, half-submerged mess.

not many buildings left “standing” at Butdale

you can see whats left of the old docks on the left

I still hope, as I did back then, that investors can make a go of fulfilling their vision for Butedale as a major boating destination to and from Alaska. It’s such a convenient stop along the main route and has a storied history. The waterfall is amazing and we’re told the lake is breathtaking.

I flew the drone and got some great pictures of the boats on the dock with OceanFlyer rafted as well as the property itself and the waterfall. We encouraged the folks on Destiny who wanted to see bears to take their high speed chase boat 12 miles back down to Khutze Inlet, and indeed, they saw a bear!

bARN SWALLOWS LOVE OUR RAILING, EVEN IN THE RAIN