Pacific Catalyst

07/02/2025

The world is loud right now. The news cycle is relentless. The notifications won’t stop.

Are you ready for some stillness? ⚓ A cozy anchorage? A quiet so deep, the only thing rushing is the tide? 🌊

That’s what we do. We take care of everything —🍽️ chef-prepared meals, 🌿 guided nature excursions, and a collection of well-worn books 📖 — perfect for quiet moments.

All you have to do is book your spot and get to the dock. We’ll handle the rest.

28/01/2025

📅 Happy National Plan Your Vacation Day! 🌊⚓

Dreaming of Alaska? Make it happen in 2025 aboard our small ships - Catalyst and Westward.

Book your spot now for the trip of a lifetime! 🐋✨

Hi, Little Chef! Welcome aboard The Catalyst. Embark on an unforgettable adventure as I share my time aboard The Catalyst, a historic ship built in 1932. Thi...

25/01/2025

Captains log: an update from Captain Rodgers in the Sea of Cortez. An absolutely incredible and very rare experience, and an animal that I’ve been wanting to see since I was a child. Today we encountered a massive pod of s***m whales, diving to depths of over 1000 feet in search of deep water squid.

Some individuals approached quite closely to the boat, including a family group with multiple calves. No other boats in sight, just whales as far the horizon. A breathtaking and humbling encounter that I’ll never forget

01/01/2025

Happy New Year from the crew at Pacific Catalyst!

2024 was quite literally an historic year! Westward had a birthday, just 100 years after she pioneered the Alaska cruising industry. (no big deal). Both her and Catalyst also transitioned from one generational steward to the next. Behind the scenes, we have had something brewing and now that 2025 is here it is time to share!

If you have been on one of our small ship voyages, you know that we like to eat. Last July, one of our favorite boat chefs joined us for an 8 day trip into the wilderness of Alaska. Abbyinthegalley !

Today, she posted the first of several vids from her trip. Give her a follow and a share.
https://youtu.be/KWG-foDY0is?si=4SmFX8JyLnjoelGD

25/11/2024

This fall, Westward was hauled out of the water for her 100th year of routine maintenance. She is back in the water now and on her way to Mexico! (only after some weeks of delay due to an unsettled north pacific and the notorious bomb cyclone, more to come on that)

She has just a few cabins still available where you can join her either in La Paz or Loreto this January or March. Explore the Sea of Cortez on this historically magnificent classic yacht.
https://www.pacificcatalyst.com/

13/09/2024

Today, Westward, the100-year-old icon and first purpose built Alaskan expedition ship, takes on the legendary Seymour Narrows! She is working her way back to Port Townsend from her centennial exploration of southeast Alaska.

Track her journey through one of the most notorious tidal passages on the Pacific Coast at: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:451215/mmsi:367583000/imo:0/vessel:WESTWARD

05/09/2024

We still have space available for our Oct 3rd - 8th sailing out of Bellingham into the San Juans. Join us for this last Salish Sea trip of 2024.

25/07/2024

Together at last. These sister ships don’t get to sleep in the same place very often. But when they do, the night is magic. The 1st purpose built Alaskan Expedition Ship (1924), Westward, in the back. The University of Washington’s first oceanographic research vessel (1932), Catalyst, swinging on the hook up front.

10/07/2024

We’ve been overwhelmed by your amazing comments this week as you watched Captain Bill Bailey cast off the lines of Westward, this time from the dock side! It’s a true testament to his hard work and dedication in fostering our incredible Pacific Catalyst community.

Bill and Tracie have shared more insights in the link below. Rest assured, our team at Pacific Catalyst is as committed as ever to keeping these magical ships alive for you. M/V Catalyst and M/V Westward are ready for your next adventure!

We have a few remaining cabins open this summer in Alaska, or join us in Baja this winter. Who knows, you may even see your old captain and chef dipping their toes in the Sea of Cortez.

To our wonderful patrons and team members, After nearly 30 seasons of adventures along the Pacific shores of North America, it is time for Tracie and I to plot a course into the remote and sublime archipelago known as retirement. When I bought M/V Catalyst and formed Pacific Catalyst around her, I w...

08/07/2024

After years of sailing classic yachts in Alaska we have created a boutique oasis in Todos Santos.

08/07/2024

This is Westward sailing from Bartlett Cove in Glacier Bay this morning, after Tracie and I dropped their lines and waved to her remarkable crew and wonderful guests.
This marked our last official act as owners of Pacific Catalyst and the classic yachts Westward and Catalyst.
We leave them in good hands, and are certain that their new steward is prepared and equipped to continue their operation for this next phase.
Thanks to all of you who have sailed with us over the years, it has been an incredible 20 years, thanks to all of you.

Please continue to follow Tracie and I in our new venture at Blue Turtle Garden here on Facebook.

22/05/2024

Greetings, we have had a couple of last minute cancellations and are able to make some of you incredible deals.
We have a couple of cabins available on Westward’s next two sailings. The first sails from Juneau on May 28, and arrives in Sitka on June 4.
The second trip departs Sitka on June 6 and arrives in Petersburg on the 13th.
Both voyages are 8 days and 7 nights aboard Westward, which is celebrating the centennial of her first voyage to Alaska in 1924.
If you’re interested send us a PM here and we’ll get you more information.
We have never made an offer like this before, so act quickly if you’re interested.

Check out www.pacificcatalyst.com for details about the boat and trip.

10/05/2024

This morning was interesting. It began with thunder and lightning before transitioning to snow. However, the conditions created a perfect tableau of the Alaskan wilderness that many seek and few find.
A good day for a fire in the fireplace!

04/05/2024

Westward is celebrating the centennial anniversary of her first Alaska charter season in 1924.
If you’re in Juneau, come on down!
There are 2 cakes, engine room tours and an open boat. Tours until 3:00 pm today.

24/04/2024

Westward arrived In Port Townsend Tuesday morning at 3:00, and after a busy and productive 32 hours, sailed this morning at 11:00 bound for Juneau Alaska.
Safe travels to her capable crew!

20/04/2024

This is how we move Catalyst between her spot in the shipyard to the water. Busy day today!

12/04/2024

Westward has cleared into the US in San Diego, and has headed north toward Point Concepcion.

Bad weather continues challenge her crew as we hope to round Point Conception, one of the major turn points along the West Coast, before weather forces her back into a port of refuge.

Once back in port, high winds and rough seas won’t begin to abate until at least the 20th.

We have to be in Juneau Alaska on May 3rd to prepare for our role in Juneau’s Harbor Festival, where we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Westward’s first arrival in Alaska in 1924!

04/01/2024