Navigating Tight Shallow Channels of Rocky Pass in Alaska Aboard Our 80' Steel Schooner

We pointed the bow into one of Southeast Alaska’s most talked-about stretches of water… long, shallow in places, narrow the whole way through, and constantly moving with tide and current. Rocky Pass isn’t something you rush. It’s something you read. We timed our run for slack, took it slow, and worked our way through tight channels, dredged sections, and areas where the rocks sit just under the surface. At times it feels wide open… until it doesn’t. This was the most technical passage we’ve taken the Alaskan Gypsy through so far. An 80' steel schooner doesn’t leave much room for guessing in water like this. In this video: Aerial drone footage of the full transit Real-time navigation through tight, shallow sections A custom original song written for this run What it actually feels like to move a big boat through constantly changing water There’s a moment out here where it stops feeling like a route… and starts feeling like something that knows you’re there. We’re grateful for the window, the conditions, and the chance to move through a place like this. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 Entering Rocky Pass 1:09 Where we are + Gypsy-style navigation 2:03 Why this passage is tricky 2:46 Local intel + what to expect 5:27 First tension – submerged hazards 5:57 Committing to the run 6:25 Timing the tide 7:20 Conditions line up 8:11 A rare calm window 10:27 Approaching the tightest section 11:02 Custom song begins 13:14 Settling into the rhythm 15:08 “They don’t call it that for nothing” 16:18 Surroundings + wildlife 18:21 Tightest water we’ve run on Gypsy 20:00 Why this passage matters 21:35 Reflection + gratitude 22:57 Through the narrow