Princess Louisa Inlet

[grutledge]

Hi All,

Thanks to this site I bought a C-Dory 22 a little over a year ago. I live in Brentwood Bay (Saanich Inlet, near the gulf islands) and my family (wife Nicole and kids Ethan 10 and Elyse and I have enjoyed cruising around the gulf islands last summer and this summer. I have boated around her for the last 10 years and feel very comfortable with the waters around here. We are planning a trip to Princess Louisa Inlet starting next week. Since I usually wing it on our trips since I know the waters so well around her, I think I have become rather complacent and I have not planned extremely well for PL. Now I am starting to think I need to be more attentive! If anyone has done this trip from the Gulf islands (or otherwise), I would love to hear about the great anchorages and/or marinas that I should stop at along the way. Thanks in advance for any info.

Glen

[El and Bill]

You might enjoy reading a tale about Princess Louisa before your trip. Others will give more cruising details, but this should provide a good overall view of the cruuise for you and your family. Enjoy your cruise -- one of the best in North America, in our opinion. Patience and prudence, regarding winds and tide, will sure add to a fine cruise. Bon voyage.

http://cruisingamerica-halcyondays.com/princess.htm

[grutledge]

Thanks El and Bill- that is exactly what I was looking for.

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Glen,

Starting on page 24 of our Wild Blue cruising thread here on the C-Brats is a photo essay of our time in the Gulf Islands, up to Princess Louisa Inlet, and on to Desolation Sound. Writing and photos of the different places we stayed along the way. Hope that helps.

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=5212&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=345

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[DuckDogTitus]

I'd love to make this trip and look forward to seeing your report when you return. my biggest concern (aside from massive sudden unexpected random dual motor failure) was fuel supply.

[thataway]

We usually spend a day at Egmont public dock before running up to Malibu Rapids. It gives time to hike the area and then watch the Skookumchuck Rapids. We leave early to have plenty of time before high slack at the Rapids. We start in a bit before slack water--and find the Sea Dory handles it fine (but you need to keep your speed down in the actual rapids for both the camp and environmental reasons). There is also a speed limit in most if not all of the bay. We have obtained great oysters about half way up--ask the Wharfmonger at Edmont--she (or he) will know where they are safe. We take the dinghy to the shore, and left the boat drift in the middle--just takes a few minutes. There is a little cove just above Patrick point where we have anchored several times to wait--also we have had some luck fishing while waiting for the rapids.

On our way out, since we have always been going North, we go North of Nelson Island. There are a number of good anchorages up there, and again great oysters!

Active Captain has some information on this area--it needs more.

We have good up on both sides of Georgia Straits--with the C Dory, probably better to go up on the Vancouver Island Side, and cross out of Nanaimo--where you have some great fun and provision/fuel.

Be sure and check on Naval Activity in area Whiskey Gulf Torpedo range, and the weather conditions before crossing.

The above blogs have lots of information--but there are hundreds of great anchorages on the way up and back.

[grutledge]

Thanks Jim - That is extremely helpful. I will read your blog as well.

Glen

[grutledge]

Thanks Bob. Oyster tips are very helpful. Did you catch any salmon on your trip, or where you jigging?

Glen

[thataway]

No salmon up there on the trips that I can remember (we have been there about 5 times)

It is a truly magical place! Not to be missed. Plus it is a lot of fun meeting people on the floats--and watching people trying to dock in the current. We usually go way up inside--plenty of water, and almost always space--even with the Cal 46--but a challange turning the bigger boat around in the space!

[rogerbum]

I visited there on 4th of July 2 years ago. Here's a link to my trip report. Inside Princess Louisa Inlet, no fishing is allowed but there's some salmon to be had in various locations on the way. Unfortunately, as you are probably aware, the herring population appears to be vastly over fished on the inside of Vancouver Island and the salmon numbers are low as a result. We did catch 2 nice white kings - one on our way up and one on our way back on our trip. The marina I like best in the area is Secret Cove. We've returned there as it's a very nice little marina and the restaurant is good.

[bridma]

Hi Glen,

Good to hear from you. I was in Princess Louisa Inlet recently, check out the pics in my album.
Last fuelling stop is Backeddy marina in Egmont. If you want to stay the night it is $32, power extra. In good weather allow 2 to 3 hrs for the run up the Royal Reaches.
Here's a little tip, but don't tell anyone else
If you arrive too early to go through the Malibu Rapids, look on your chart plotter about one mile before the rapids on the right hand side. You will see little streams that empty into the Reach. Where there's a stream the odds are good that the estuary has silted up over the years and you will find shallower water (40 to 50ft) where you can drop the hook and put the kettle on.
I went through the rapids 40 minutes before slack, absolutely no problem. Timing slack when you exit is easier to get the timing right. If the dock is full, anchor in front of the Falls in about 12 to 15 ft of water, let out the rode and you will sit comfortable in the current of the Falls. You are also very close by to snag a space at the dock when it becomes available. Google Youtube Malibu Rapids
On the way back down, try Kipling Bay in the Harmony Islands, nice little anchorage.
Have fun, and I hope to see you in Sidney.

Martin.

[Tom on Icarus]

Hi again Glen,

We just did that trip earlier in July and, as everyone says, it is spectacular and not to be missed. We had fantastic weather. We crossed the gulf diagonally from CR, past Sentry Shoal with nary a ripple on the water. We did 252 NM and all but about 3 NM was as flat as it gets. Hope you get favourable conditions too.
We overnighted at the Backeddy Marina in Egmont on the way up. Very nice staff.
I bowed out of the annual "Old Shuckers" fishing long weekend at Gavin's cabin this weekend as it just got out of hand with too many people invited and too many boats for the docking space he has. Too bad as it was always fun. We had also just been there for five days the week before.
Glad you too are enjoying your boat as we are. Have not heard from Rick B. I don't think he is much of an internet guy. Hope he is enjoying our old 22 anyway.
Maybe we will see you up at this end of the island sometime.........there is lots to see and do.

Cheers,
Tom

[PvL]

We are looking to make a run to P L as well. How much fuel is required? Our plan is to fuel up at Egmont. We run a 22 powered by a Honda 90 with the typical dual tank system.

Thanks .....PvL

[rogerbum]

[grutledge]

This such a great site. Thanks for all the feedback. I have to admit I was feeling a little nervous doing a trip outside the gulf islands, but with all your input it feels much better.

Martin - glad to hear you made it over to PL. We'll have to swap stories sometime.

Tom - Gavin has invited us over to the cabin as well, but we have not made it yet. I tow with an xterra and am a little worried about towing over the malahat. A truck is on the horizon, so if/when that happens, maybe we can meet up there sometime.

Roger - thanks for the link - I will read up on it. All getting very exciting reading about others trips up there.