We're still planning on heading for the Broughtons the first two weeks of September. It is a little further afield, but an incredible cruising area. We went there before meeting up with the group in Desolation Sound last year. It fit us better than Desolation Sound for several reasons. It is a larger area than the San Juans or Desolation Sound and we like to explore. The scenery is spectacular. There are fewer people (we saw fewer than 20 boats in a week). The fishing and shrimping is better. The locals are friendly and self reliant.
The marinas are more rustic, but for us that's part of the fun. Two or three of the marinas have fuel and shorepower. Supplies are limited because it's the end of the season, so you have to be pretty self contained, or you have to go back to Port McNeil for supplies. One of the marinas we visited was Shawl Bay, where Lorne & Shaun Brown run the friendliest marina I've ever visited, and they also have a C-Dory.
Beautiful country that's a little further out on the edge, but still has some cruising amenities like marinas. The San Juan's probably were like this area in the 1940's and 50's. At the boat show gathering last Friday I had discussions with several people who may be in the area during the time we're planning. Nancy H, Anita Marie, CAVU and C-Dancer have expressed an interest. Even El and Bill might be coming back through the area at that time of year.
If anyone else is interested, let us know. We have quite a bit of info on this area now, and Larry and Nancy from Nancy H know it very well.
Lyle