I just looked this up on Wikipedia; is it up to date and correct about needing 3 ferries & 1 only works Jan and Feb?
Thanks
Delbert

Ferry crossings Traveling the entire route requires the use of three ferries:

1. a 30 minute crossing about 45 kilometers (28 mi) south of the start of the highway in Puerto Montt
2. a 5 hour crossing from Hornopiren (110 kilometers (68 miles) south of Puerto Montt) to Caleta Gonzalo
3. a 50 minute crossing from Puerto Yungay to Rio Bravo, connecting to the final 100 kilometers (62 mi) of the highway.

The ferry from Hornopiren to Caleta Gonzalo only runs during January and February.[7] Thus, for ten months of the year it is not possible to travel straight down the Carretera Austral. The portion of the road south of Hornopiren is connected to Argentina year-round though, using several border crossings along the way.

You can also go via the island of Chiloe. Short ferry ride from south of Puerto Montt to Ancud, ferries go all the time.
Leaving for Chaiten on the main land is more tricky. One ferry leaves from Castro, the other from the town in the south-west. Only one ferry per week per port. Friday and Sunday, but I can't remember which day is which port. Check Navimag.cl - they run the ferry service.

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frank
many thanks, i will take a look at their site.
cheers
delb

Another site to chek, are the ferries operator from Puerto Mont, Quellon and Castro>

Naviera Austral

Good trip

I would be weary of the Island of Chiloe ferry that goes to the Southern part of Chile. I waited on that ferry for 6 days, before finding out that it was delayed 3 additional days. I backtracked and drove back North and into Argentina.

I would not count on that ferry. It is very expensive to do that route too. You are better off driving South through Argentina.

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Was that around the time of the eruption?

I found easy ticket purchase without a reservation and a relaxing trip on the Chiloe/Chaitén ferry, although loading and unloading times were haphazard (attributed to "tides"). Chaitén is entirely worth a look, as is the whole length of the Caraterra Austral. Ruta 40 is magnificent, in a desolate sort of way, and everyone should try riding 70 mph crosswinds at least once in their life....but I liked the Caraterra better.

enjoy,

Mark

Yeah a bunch of us talked about what we could find out and how reliable and all that ... maybe just we wanted to ride in the end I don't know ... but thats what we did ...

I am writing this sitting having breakfast (included) in a backpackers in Ancud at the north end of Chiloe occasionally glancing up to see small fishing boats returning to the mulle after a nights work on a flat calm and sunny Pacific. You can´t do that on Rt 40. I´ve just ridden the CA (again) from Cochrane up to Chaiten where, after spending a couple of days watching the local volcano burbling away, I took the weekly ferry (Mon.) to Quellon, the one on Sat. sails to Castro. Volcanic eruptions, boat breakdowns and sea conditions can all affect the timetables but if you want guaranteed departures and arrivals, you should time travel back to Mussolini's pre WW2 Italy. (allegedly) The cost for me and my bike 9 days ago from Chaiten to Quellon was about US$50.00 for a 5 hr very scenic trip and it will cost me about another US$6.00 to get to the mainland from the top of Chiloe. The CA is 90% fantastic although just south of Chaiten there are a few roadworks whereas Rt 40 is a lot less enjoyable unless you are into gravel, ruts, crosswinds and shrapnel storms from passing trucks, buses and rabid 4+4 drivers. Rt40 does give access to many of Argentina´s visual jewels but in my opinion it is a road to brag about rather than to enjoy. When they finally seal all of it, that´s when I´ll travel it willingly. Ride safe.

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Mike
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Mike is riding the twisty road in the sky