A while back, there was an active discussion on TWL about passive versus active stabilization. We just returned this evening from a driving trip through northern British Columbia. Our return route started with the BC Ferries ship from Prince Rupert near the Alaskan border to Port Hardy at the top of Vancouver Island. It's an 18 hour pleasure cruise via the protected Inside Passage. I know some of you often make this trip in your own boats, and I'm even more impressed now. This area is truly remote with almost no ports of call en route and very few other vessels afloat. The trip has two sections exposed to open ocean. The northern-most was a bit rolly with good sized swells, but for the second, we had to run through a full gale for the last 90 minutes or so into Port Hardy. Just before we left the shelter of the islands, the PA system warned passengers of the deterioration in the weather, but noted that the ship was equipped with active stabilizers which were being turned on with the announcement. I later went out on deck where it was blowing hard, and the seas were rough. I was simply amazed at how stable the ship was and how easy the ride. Active stabilizers have jumped way up on my wife's list of desirable features. Cheers, Garrett

Garrett wrote: > We just returned this evening from a driving trip through northern > British Columbia. Our return route started with the BC Ferries ship > from Prince Rupert near the Alaskan border to Port Hardy at the top of > Vancouver Island. It's an 18 hour pleasure cruise via the protected > Inside Passage. I know some of you often make this trip in your own > boats, and I'm even more impressed now. This area is truly remote with > almost no ports of call en route and very few other vessels afloat. > > The trip has two sections exposed to open ocean. The northern-most was > a bit rolly with good sized swells, but for the second, we had to run > through a full gale for the last 90 minutes or so into Port Hardy. <snip> Were you on the "Queen of the North"? She leaves the biggest wake! Sounds like you had a fun vacation. What you did in 18 hours takes us more than a week and that's way too fast. But that is doing a little sightseeing along the way on a 7-8 knot boat. So now that you're hooked, you'll have to go back up and re- explore that route with your own boat and take time to explore new routes, to places like "Fjordland." Absolutely beautiful cruising! Sandy and Dawna Floe "Sea Eagle" Day Island,WA

>Active stabilizers have jumped way up on my wife's list of desirable features< I would not leave the slip without my Naiad stabilizers. George M/V Ocean Lady