Yachting USA – August 2019









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WILD WONDERS

A yacht charter in Alaska is a breathtaking experience.

by kim kavin

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hris fagan made his first trip to Alaska

aboard the 130-foot Westport Serengeti in 2014.

Back then, he was the mate; this summer, he’s

doing his fourth season on the yacht as captain.

¶ The place never gets old. ¶“It’s the best nature and wildlife

cruising ground that there is,” he says. “Just given the vastness

of the wilderness and the abundance of gigantic wildlife, it’s a

reminder of what the world is capable of. It doesn’t matter who

goes with us, whether they’ve chartered all over the world or

it’s their fi rst time: Everyone leaves with their minds blown.”

¶ The good news for charter clients, he says, is that even

despite the grandeur to be explored, precious few yachts with

professional crew make the run to Alaska each summer. A lot

of times, Serengeti has had an anchorage all to herself. ¶ The

bad news for charter clients, Fagan says, is that given the small

number of available yachts and the short season, primarily from

June through August, the best boats tend to book up fast. As of

early May, Serengeti already had nine charters scheduled

for this summer. ¶ “I would say a year out is when you

start getting the fi rst bookings, and it’s wise to book six

months in advance,” he says, “especially if you want a

prime date.” ¶ Clients wanting to book any boat in Alaska,

he says, should look not only for an experienced crew,

but also for a boat that’s outfi tted for the area. Serengeti,

for instance, has Isinglass on the main and top decks,

allowing wide views without cold winds.¶ And it’s the views

that count—especially given the realities of climate change.

¶ “Of course, the glaciers are slowly receding, but they’re still

there,” he says. “Who knows? A hundred years from now, some

of them may be backed up farther than we can get to in a boat,

but anybody who goes up now can experience that beauty.”

WHAT TO EXPECT IN ALASKA

CHARTER ITINERARIEStypically take place between Juneau, Alaska’s

capital, and Sitka, in the southeast part of the state that borders Can-

ada. THE SOUNDS OF THE GLACIERSa s t he y c a l v e , c r a c k i n g o ff chunks

and dropping them into the sea, is as loud as the roar of lions or a

low-fl ying plane. WHALES, BEARS, BALD EAGLESand other wildlife are

all around, so have a camera ready, ideally with a long lens. TRY THE

CANDIED SALMON, which is eaten as a stick, kind of like beef jerky.

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CURRENTS> CHARTER

INTO THE

GREAT

WIDE OPEN

ALASKA

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