Recommended base in the straits of Georgia

[davefromoregon]

Thanks. They’ve changed up the format and I wasn’t sure what was what.

[jackdale]

I would also recommend Sailing Directions. Free and downloadable.
https://www.charts.gc.ca/publication...iques-eng.html

I have written up an itinerary for the Broughtons, that accommodates the issues of getting through the passes.

I have been through the area over a dozen times.

[Macblaze]

Waggoners does an electronic version as well, which is what you were looking at and is IMHO a rippoff since the combined cost of all the ebooks is more than the paper one, And they haven't announced 2022 yet.. But here is a link

https://www.amazon.com/Waggoner-Crui...qid=1648168541

[davefromoregon]

I gave up and ordered the paper one.

[davefromoregon]

Originally Posted by jackdale

I would also recommend Sailing Directions. Free and downloadable.
https://www.charts.gc.ca/publication...iques-eng.html

I have written up an itinerary for the Broughtons, that accommodates the issues of getting through the passes.

I have been through the area over a dozen times.

Thanks!

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by davefromoregon

I’m going to spend several weeks in the desolation sound and Broughtons this summer with multiple crew changes.

Last summer I did something similar where I went to the San Juan’s, Gulf Islands, and desolation sound. I made Anacortes my base.

this year, I’ll spend all of the time farther north. I’ll need to get crew in and out. Most coming from and going back to Portland.

I’m thinking Pender Harbour or Lund. Are there places that would allow people to leave a car for up to two weeks? Pender harbour has a better store. Lund may be harder to get to.

Recommendations? Other ideas?

Ok. I live in Pender Harbour/Madeira Park. Yes you can park your car at the government dock in Madeira Park free for as long as you want - although there are some secret places when the obvious ones are full. I've certainly parked mine there for extended periods when, for example, I go up to Princess Louisa Inlet, over to Jedidiah and Lasquiti Islands, and into Sechelt Inlet. I've also left Scorpius at anchor for two weeks just off the government dock when I'm staying at our house there or have to go down to Vancouver with the car. Never had a problem and haven't heard of any either.

I keep Scorpius in Lund, on the hard, over the winter. I'm there now getting her ready to launch. Other than Jack's Boatyard, I wouldn't recommend ANY services in Lund. The store, fuel dock, etc. are far from the best around. They even charge for the lousy Lund water for heaven's sake! They say the hotel/resort probably won't open this summer because of post-Covid staffing shortages - and the pub, which was closed for the winter, may not re-open. IMHO the place has REALLY gone downhill with the new owners.

Madeira Park and Port McNeil are the best places on the coast to re-provision. Westview (Powell River) is the best for fuel and water on the east side of Georgia Strait. Westview water is superb, free, and readily available at the town dock (South Harbour for transients). There's a very large shopping centre in Westview - but it's a mile from the docks straight up a VERY steep hill. In past years there has been a sporadic shuttle bus but the wharfinger wants you out of there in two hours or you pay and, using the shuttle bus, it's really not possible to get up the hill, do your shopping, and get back down within the two hours. With a taxi it is. Or bite the bullet and stay the night at the dock. There aren't any good anchorages close to Westview. The closest is Sturt Bay on Texada Island - about 5 miles SSW.

You were talking about Wagonners, etc. as a guide book. There are better ones and I'm sure someone will mention them - but Wagonners is adequate. I'm usually using one that's a few years old (that someone has discarded) and it works fine for me - although you do find that things are changing - like the Lund Resort and Hotel and Echo Bay in the Broughtons. Waggoners is also very conservative when it comes to acceptable conditions for going somewhere, etc. and, their advertisers (and there are a lot of them) generally get glowing reviews - not always warranted. They also seem to be very powerboat oriented with extensive writeups of the various commercial docking facilities while being pretty sparse about anchorages - which I much prefer and are free. But then, I just look on the charts for good spots - and I have my favourites: usually pretty secluded and uncrowded.

I would also STRONGLY recommend that you get a current copy of "Ports and Passes". It's available at pretty well every chandlery in Puget Sound (in the US) and in most in BC. It's invaluable. The Canadian Government has stopped printing tide and current books (you can download PDF's). Ports and Passes has all that information plus chartlets of all the rapids you will have to go through to get north of Desolation Sound (I would STRONGLY advise going up through the Yulcultas, etc. rather than Seymour Narrows to avoid as much of the "washing machine" of Johnstone Strait as possible) - but you need REALLY good tide and current information and timing tips - and it's all in Ports and Passes. DON'T rely on electronic tide and current tables. Some of them are accurate. Many are not. If you use the tables that come with OpenCPN you'll be trying to go through Whirlpool Rapids (despite their name, far from the most dangerous) at peak flood or ebb instead of at slack.

Getting up through the rapids and to Port McNeil for re-provisioning and as a base for the Broughtons you may have to make another fuel stop along the way. I would suggest Blind Channel. They also have a great restaurant and a bit of a store - but it's no supermarket. Wonderful people.

There's a major airport serving Port Hardy and Port McNeill for getting people in and out - and I believe they've started a local bus service that will take you right from the Port McNeill docks to the airport (possibly with a transfer) for around $2 per person. It's quite a ways. Powell River (Westview) also has an airport with scheduled flights to and from Vancouver and elsewhere.

When you are in the Broughtons make sure you visit Billy Proctor and his museum and bookstore in Proctor Bay (just around the corner from Echo Bay). It's an experience not to be missed. Make sure you buy one of his books to REALLY learn about life in that magical area.

And don't miss the U'mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay. Or Sointula.

I can't think of any questions you might have that I haven't answered but if there are more, just ask here - so everyone else can listen in.

Have fun! I may see you along the way somewhere.

[nwdiver]

The float charter works very well IF you have people going back on the same flight. Have your parties park at YVR and fly out to you IN the site you are at, no need for you to go to town if you don’t need/want.

Been there done that and it was cheaper than I thought, of course the fly in group brought a whack of food and drink with them……

[Scorpius]

Originally Posted by nwdiver

The float charter works very well IF you have people going back on the same flight. Have your parties park at YVR and fly out to you IN the site you are at, no need for you to go to town if you don’t need/want.

Been there done that and it was cheaper than I thought, of course the fly in group brought a whack of food and drink with them……

Good idea. I've had guests come in that way as well. You can fly straight up to anywhere on the BC Coast directly from Seattle too. Well, almost directly. You have to stop at Vancouver Airport to clear customs. I think my cousins used Kenmore Air.

[desodave]

CorilAir runs a daily flight from Vancouver to Campbell River in July and August;
https://www.corilair.com/scheduled-flights/
It's a floatplane and will put down pretty much anywhere possible on the trip with a regular spot being outside Prideaux Haven in Desolation Sound. They circle over first to signal you to get your dinghy outside to pick up or load your passenger. Efficient if you don't need supplies and are just connecting.
Imo your best base choices are Campbell River and Port McNeill, depending on where you want to pick up passengers and supplies for the next leg of your journey. Floatplanes land just north of the marinas in Campbell River - short cab ride.

[davefromoregon]

I got a paper copy of Waggoners today. This is much easier to work with