Pacific Catalyst

Unique small ship cruises in the sheltered inside passage of SE Alaska, British Columbia, and the San Juan Islands of Washington as well as the Sea of Cortez, Baja California aboard a historic wooden vessel. A larger cruise ship alternative...smaller more intimate, cruising experience. The breathtaking scenery of Alaska’s waterways gently rolls past your window aboard the Catalyst. The 75 ft Catalyst is a historic wooden vessel that has been thoughtfully restored true to her 1930’s heritage. Her elegance and comfort are perfect compliments to the majestic areas through which she cruises. She is a truly unique vessel for an Alaska adventure cruise and takes 12 passengers in 6 cabins. Unlike larger, more traditional Alaskan cruises, these intimate voyages focus on your interests. By concentrating their efforts on targeting the preferences you and your travel companions in the early planning stage of your cruise, we can be sure to plan activities for everyone, from the youngest member of your group to the oldest.

The comfortable and spacious quarters of the Catalyst are suitable for up to 12 passengers. Classic accommodations include cozy, private staterooms, a spacious galley, and a warm wood-paneled salon.

Cabin 1

Location/size: Main deck, private washroom with shower. Bunk: Double bunk, 49 inches by 80 inches, single pull-down upper bunk, 32 inches by 74 inches, door to deck, one opening porthole.

Cabin 2

Location/size: Lower deck, forward starboard side, private head and shower. 6 feet 10 inches by 7 feet. Bunks: Double bunk, 50 inches by 78 inches. Accommodations: Private head and shower. Four drawers under bed, two non-opening portholes.

Cabin 3

Location/size: Lower deck, forward port side, 6 feet 10 inches by 6 feet 6 inches. Bunk: Double bunk, 50 inches by 78 inches. Accommodations: Private head and shower. Two drawers, storage locker, two non-opening portholes.

Cabin 4

Location/size: Lower deck, aft starboard side, 6 feet by 7 feet. Bunks: Single bunk, 43 inches by 84 inches. Accommodations: Storage under gear hammock, one non-opening porthole.

Cabin 5

Location/size: Lower deck, aft cabin, 13 feet by 13 feet. Bunks: Two singles, one double. Accommodations: Two bench seats with storage underneath, six opening portholes, four non-opening portholes.

Cabin 6

Location/size: Behind pilothouse. Bunk: Double bed with no bunk, 50 inches by 78 inches. Accommodations: Private entry from outside of pilot house, private head and shower, drawers and storage space, bookshelf, opening porthole and windows.

Length Overall: 74’7″   Beam: 18’4″   Draft: 9’4″   Displacement: 110 tons

Cruising Speed: 8 knots

Main Engine: 6 cylinder 8×10 Washington Estep diesel, 120 h.p. at 450 r.p.m. (This is the original engine rebuilt and maintained)

Fuel: 2,200 gallons   Fresh Water: 800 gallons with R.O. water maker

Range: 4,000 nautical miles

Accommodations: for up to 12 passengers and 4 to 5 crew

Construction: Oak frames, Alaska yellow cedar planked. Douglas fir keel with a 2-inch heel of Australian ironbark

Built by: Lake Union Dry Docks, Seattle, Washington, 1932

Designed by: Roland & Strickland

Navigation:2x Radar, G.P.S. and depth finders   Communications: VHF, satellite and cellular telephones

Specialty Equipment: Underwater hydrophone, viewing aquarium, microscope, presentation projector, whiteboard, two laptop computers, one for navigation, one for digital pictures, boat camera, stereo CD/iPod player, twelve pairs of binoculars for guests.

Auxiliary Power: 12 kW generator and batteries   Ships Power: 110 volts AC and 12/24 volts DC

Auxiliary Watercraft: 12-foot aluminum and 17.5 -foot inflatable utility boats, 6 double sea kayaks, and 3 single sea kayaks.

Chest freezer and refrigerator on front deck. Refrigerator in the galley.

Marine Sanitation System upgrade in 2009.

Six guest cabins. Cabins 1, 2, 3 and 6 each feature private heads, sinks and showers. Cabins 4 and 5 share a large toilet space with a cedar lined shower, head and sink. There is a separate head with sink on the main deck level. The crew has their own head and shower in the focsle.

Southeast Alaska Passage

A Multi-Day Cruise Through Icy Fjords. Experience the diversity of Southeast Alaska, observe brown bears, humpback whales, bald eagles, calving glaciers and more!

Juneau to Petersburg & Petersburg to Juneau

This eight-day cruise offers a diverse experience of Southeast Alaska, from fishing towns to wilderness solitude, from islands to glacial fjords. Navigating through ice-filled fjords, we visit a tidewater glacier, searching the shores for brown bears, and stop our engines to watch and listen to humpback whales. We kayak up a narrow inlet that John Muir called “an ocean-filled Yosemite” and follow bear trails through rich estuarial meadows. Our goal is to give you the most remote wilderness experience possible while you enjoy the amenities of our wandering home.

Southeast Alaska's Western Passages

Sample the best Southeast Alaska has to offer: whales, bears, glaciers, and more!

Visit Admiralty, Baranof, and Kupreanof Islands

On this 8-day/7 night tour we visit the most beautiful locations along the western passages. Traveling through canyons and fjords, stopping at anchorages at Admiralty, Baranof, and Kupreanof islands, observing bears, whales, eagles, and more along the way. Hiking or kayaking, accompanied by the on-board naturalist, we will learn about the fauna and flora of the area.