Princess Louisa Cruise Help

[drbridge]

Some long days on the water and not likely that you will be able to maintain full speed for the entire route. Not everyone has the time, but it would be good to allow more time to make it more enjoyable. You should call and double check that eggmont has fuel before passing up fuel at Pender Harbour. Also, be aware that you will need to do a stern tie in front of the falls. There are a few bouys available. Other than the falls, not very many spots to anchor as the shoreline drops off steeply. I would not want to be arriving at 6:30 pm on Saturday of holiday weekend.

[thataway]

Look at the various narrow areas, such as Dodd's Narrows to Nanaimo and when slack water is there.

Also there are some days you don't want to be in Strait of Georgia due to wind/wave/current and rough sea conditions. For a limited time plan, all has to go perfectly together.

I suspect that dock space will be at a premium on that weekend. Sometimes you can find enough space on the inside of the dock. Water is deep, so if you are anchoring be sure and have enough rode. The current from the waterfall will keep you bow toward the shore.

[bridma]

I have done Princess Louisa twice. Both times I over nighted on the dock at Egmont. Good pub and a fuel dock. Egmont also has the slack water times for Malibu Rapids posted on a board at the marina. You can check your tide calculations with theirs and make sure they jive.
Left Egmont on plane to arrive at Malibu Rapids 45 mins to one hour before slack. You will find bigger boats circling around as they are waiting for a bit more slack before entering the rapids. Big boats with deep keels get tossed around more going through the rapids to early, so they wait.
I was leading about 10 boats though. C-Dory's first (no keel), yachts with keels last.
Check your guide books and charts before hand. You will not have a problem.

Martin.

[bridma]

Just thought I would mention Dodd Narrows for those who are not familiar. I have been through Dodd Narrows more times than I can count. I have gone through 2 hours either side of slack, that gives me a 4 hour window. The beauty of a C-Dory with no keel. I would not recommend you take advantage of a 4 hour window if you have never done it before. But I wanted to mention that should you arrive 30 mins early or late for slack, no problem in a C-Dory.

Martin.

[DayBreak]

Brody,

The link is from a photo in our PLI album showing dock space available at Chatterbox Falls in October, 2019. Timing is everything for dock space and we are used to rain from living in Oregon. Ironically, we were able to cross the Strait on that trip at 30 knots with flat seas.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip!

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album3087&id=D4_25_All_Alone&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

[Peter & Judy]

I have not yet been into PLI, but is is on my bucket list for the future. If I was planning your trip I would make it a circle tour and either go up the west coast of BC and down the east coast of Vancouver Island or vis versa. There is lots to see both ways and if you have a flexible plan you could pick your route based on weather conditions. I would also go a bit further north in the Salish Sea and cross over at the south end of the Discovery Island and Desolation Sound. Lots of islands, harbours and anchorages on this route which would go between Campbell River, Quadra Island, Cortes Island, Lund and Powell River. I think this route for a crossing is more interesting and safer than over the open sea in the Straight of Georgia.

[rshuman531]

We plan to head up to PL after the Friday Harbor event, so we will be several days ahead of you. We may have up to date information on the route for you, so stay in touch. We should be back in the San Juans by roughly May 24.

Randy and Chris
Raven, CD 25