Broughtons..where to launch?

Anita Marie · Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 8:50 pm Post subject: Broughtons..where to launch?

Robbin and I may still try to get to the Broughtons instead of the Gulf Islands after Bellingham. We originally had three weeks but Robbin can now only get two so we are still on the fence on this trip.
I was wondering were is the best place to launch? Telegraph Cove seems the best location. I am hoping for a launch with a float and a secure place to park the boat and trailer.

Fred

Big dave · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:03 am Post subject: Broughtons

Anita Marie;
This will be our 10th year of going to the Broughtons and we have found Telegraph Cove to be the best site to launch and leave the truck and trailer. The new ramp is very nice and can even be used at low tide if used with care, the old ramp is only a high tide show.
Also the road going into Telegraph is now paved !
When are you going to go ? Maybe we will see you.
Have a great trip !
Dave & Ruthi.
Raven Dancer.

Anita Marie · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:06 pm Post subject:

Dave and Ruthi, thanks for the information. We start our vacation on the 27th of July and have the next two weeks. Wish we had the three weeks we first planned on.

Fred

Ron on Meander · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:45 pm Post subject:

Fred,
I'll second the Telegraph Cove launch. Its right in the Broughtons, and it is (at least the last time I was there) a very unique and interesting little community. Has a good docks, campsite, pub, restaurants and, if needed, cabins. The was some building of a new modern resort going on last time I was there so maybe it has lost some of its charm but it was sure a neat place 5-6 years ago.
Ron

Pat Anderson · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:42 pm Post subject:

Do you need to make prior arrangements for parking in Telegraph Cove, or can you just show up?

lloyds · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:47 pm Post subject:

I have always just shown up. They have a couple large gravel parking lots near the boat ramp.

Big dave · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:53 pm Post subject: Broughtons

Fred; we will indeed be there at approx. the same time. We will be a week ahead of you, we want to get up around Cape Caution and into Rivers Inlet this year weather permitting. If not we are usually around Windsong Sea Village or Sullivan Bay. This year we are taking some friends that have a boat that looks just like a C-Dory but it isn't, so if you see us give a shout out. Raven Dancer or Ape Cruiser.
You don't have to make reservations to park your plunder at Telegraph, just show up, unless they changed it.
I sure hope we see you !
Dave & Ruthi.
Rave Dancer.

Ron on Meander · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:58 pm Post subject:

Fred/Pat,
Telegraph cove has a good website here.

Bess-C · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 4:56 pm Post subject:

Fred,
I'll give an alternate view. Maybe it's because we have great memories from the quaint place that Telegraph Cove used to be, but we really disliked it the last time we launched there two years ago. The new development seems just....tacky to me. The construction and materials look like they'll deteriorate in 10 years, unlike the older buildings that were built to last. The atmosphere was too commercial. The launch is very nice but I found the on water experience to be really tight. It is close to the Broughtons, but there's really nothing there in the way of provisions.

We launched in Port McNeil last year and were happier. There was power on the docks so that if we got there late we could have power overnight. It has a big marina and every boating, fishing, shrimping and camping supply that you can imagine. The marina is friendly and well managed.

Both places are going to be crowded in July and August. Port McNeil is a little more distance than Telegraph Cove, but we ran back from the Broughtons in about an hour cutting across Queen Charlotte Strait in good weather. We also liked visiting Alert Bay and Sointula which are between the Broughtons and Port McNeil.

Either launch point will work fine for you, but we'll be launching from Port McNeil again this year when we go the first two weeks of September.
Lyle

lloyds · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:08 pm Post subject:

I have to agree Lyle, they have sort of junked up telegraph cove. Building the cheap condos doesn't seem to me like the best use of the grounds. The RV park is pretty nice, but I have a feeling that will be turned into very expensive lots sometime in the near future. They have already developed to the north and east.