'Character' Motherships

June-July 2003

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
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by Jim Kyle

The Home Shore in Alaska. Ben Kyle photo

We've all seen those ads designed to tempt us to indulge in a decadent cruise ship vacation - the mature, debonair couple stands on the cruise ship deck high above a magnificent seascape, every gray hair in place, gazing into each other's eyes. Those ads could sell viagra!

The opposite of the luxury cruise is the sea kayak camping trip, the quintessential close-to-nature experience for those wishing to paddle their boat and taste the salt.

Occupying the broad spectrum between these two extremes is the sea kayak mothership.

The concept of a larger vessel carrying smaller boats for specific uses is not new. Historical examples include European exploration ships with their jollyboats, as well as halibut schooners with their dories. Sea kayak mothershipping is a recent phenomenon, found mostly on the waters of the northwest coast of North America, with British Columbia leading and Alaska following. This part of the planet has the advantage of labyrinthine coasts, which are wonderful for sea kayaking - with or without motherships.

Bowriding dolphins. Ben Kyle photo

While a sea kayak camping trip is the ultimate paddling experience, and a well-planned kayak expedition is satisfying partly due to challenges overcome, those very challenges may lead some to consider alternatives.

In contrast, the logistics for guests on a professionally crewed mothership are simple: get to the boat and board it. Food, shelter, and equipment are the operator's concern. A day on the water ends with hot showers, gourmet meals, and dry, warm, comfortable berths. You don't have to worry about bears, which routinely feed on the same rare piece of flat real estate occupied by campers. And the long hours of paddling to reach prized destinations are replaced by effortless cruising. You can relax, read a book, even take a nap. An added bonus: a captain with local knowledge may take you to unique places you might miss if on your own.

Sea kayak motherships, which come in all shapes and sizes, can be separated into two categories. The first group of vessels is largest in size and smallest in number - the 100 foot plus "soft adventure" boats. They provide large numbers of guests with tightly organized kayaking activities interspersed with travel and shore visits. Guests have the security of a larger ship and well-orchestrated, predictable tours.

More adventuresome guests will prefer motherships in the second, more eclectic, category. These British Columbia and Alaska vessels range from 50 to 100 feet and often are retired from various commercial endeavours, like fishing. These "character" boats havehistories that flavour the on-board atmosphere. Captains of these motherships are often the owners, sometimes retired fishermen. One company describes their tours as "Reminiscent of the adventure travel of yesteryear aboard Michener's copra schooners and Conrad's tramp steamers. . . ."

Character motherships offer various paddling options to their guests. Some simply launch kayaks for opportunistic paddling around anchorages. Some offer carefully planned and guided excursions. Others are more flexible and tailor their kayaking to desires and capabilities of each group of guests.

The mothership awaits returning paddlers. Ben Kyle photo

If you are researching companies to find an experience that bestmeets your needs, you should ask a number of questions. How much paddling will I be able to do? Under what conditions? How long are the paddle trips, and will they be guided? What kayaks are available? Can I bring my own? Do you provide all the equipment?

Answers vary between companies, but the flexibility of smaller motherships is a distinct advantage for guests. Perhaps you are an experienced kayaker with children or friends who are beginners. While you are challenging a tidal entrance to explore a salt water lake, they can be safely learning in double kayaks back at the anchorage, receiving basic instruction. Longer guided paddles can involve all guests in the excitement of exploration, with appropriate challenges along the way.

Our company, Alaska on the Home Shore, provides one example. We introduce beginners to kayaking in doubles and carefully guide their trips. Experts, however, are welcome to use singles, wearing wet or dry suits when appropriate. Paddle trip lengths and destinations are custom-selected for each group of guests. Sea kayaking is our focus, with other activities interspersed according to weather and guest preferences.

Boarding a sea kayak mothership is not at all like walking aboard a giant cruise ship for a float-and-bloat. Mothership sea kayaking is in its infancy, so there is no single set of standardized practices. Every mothership and every tour is unique. Each prospective guest must determine which mothership best meets particular needs. Will this niche industry mature and evolve into predictable cookie-cutter mothership tours? Let's hope not!

© Jim Kyle runs Alaska on the Home Shore Web: www.homeshore.com, E-mail info@homeshore.com,
PH: 800-287-7063(01).