June 8, 2025 – Takatz to Tenakee Springs

With following seas, 20-knot winds, and favorable currents, today was a good day to ride the flow north up Chatham Strait toward Tenakee Springs.

The first part of the trip was a bit lively. The seas kept nudging our stern, and the autopilot worked overtime trying to stay on track. Eventually, I switched to heading hold and adjusted our course about 10 degrees to take the seas on the quarter—small tweaks, big difference. Conditions smoothed out the farther north we got.

Why Tenakee? With rain in the forecast, we figured a walkable little town sounded better than a soggy wilderness anchorage. It’s been 15 years since our last visit, and while we expect much of it to be the same, we’re curious to see what’s changed.

We only saw three other boats during the five-hour run. One of them was Serengeti, a yacht formerly owned by Johnny Carson (kids, ask your parents). Otherwise, it was just us and the waves.

The harbor has been completely rebuilt since our last visit, though the layout remains familiar. Fortunately, the transient dock had just enough space for OceanFlyer and a 36-footer. No reservations here—it’s first-come, first-tie—and after a long run, we were happy to find a spot. I did eye a few open slips on the permanent docks that might’ve worked in a pinch, likely with a quick radio call to the harbor mistress.

We tied up on the outside of D dock and hailed the harbor on Channel 16, hoping to get the power pedestal unlocked. No response, so we waited for the afternoon rounds. Sure enough, the harbor mistress eventually appeared and got us plugged in.

Clouds and rain marked our arrival at Tenakee Springs

Karen had done some advance recon and discovered that Tenakee’s legendary Party Time Bakery is no more—but a private chef in town is now offering cinnamon buns. The catch? Her posted days don’t align with our visit. Never one to give up on a good pastry, Karen fired off an email. Fingers crossed for a sweet reply.

If tomorrow’s weather holds, we’ll get out and stretch our legs. After a day of rolling seas and closed-loop cabin time, we’re both more than ready to walk somewhere that doesn’t move.