2018 Inside Passage South

Did they charge you for parking at all? I'll have both my pickup and my trailer, and was told that they still charge $5/day. (That's also what I paid a few years ago, but was only out for a week then.) Colby
 
I'm thinking the same thing about the price. It could be worse. The lot there works out pretty nice. Good security and right next to the marina. I might see if I can't work out a deal with them since I'll be there for a month. Maybe just a straight $100 charge or something. $5/day seems pretty normal for many places. Colby
 
John-C

Are you saying that the Bellingham storage yard now costs? I'm talking about the one where you could leave your truck/trailer across from the launch ramp. It's been free for years now.

What storage yard did you use?

Boris
 
Last year we were told there was a new boat builder that needed the lot next to the coast guard building to transport boats to the ramp. They no longer have long term parking, although we did notice people parking there anyway but have no idea for how long. I doubt those folks checked with the office (we know of one person who did that, but later moved his rig - have idea if they actually tow people out of there).

We used Pantec Mini Storage (360) 676-9330.

It is a tragedy. We parked there for over 3 months years before last without issue other than a dirty truck. It was much more convenient and free.

John
 
We launched out of Blaine on our last NW cruise...2012 I think. We left the truck and trailer at Blaine Marine Services. We had to separate the trailer from the truck for their convenience, but it was only about $100/month for both. Their lot is right on the corner where you turn to the launch ramp. That was a few years ago, but call them about current rates. We thought it was a great deal for 2 months of cruising.
 
If Cap Sante Marina does not accommodate you, call North Harbor Diesel ( 360 299-1907 ) speak to Robin. Storage for your truck and trailer $ 150 month, inside a locked gated ( at night ) yacht storage lot at 30th and R Ave.
Call Mike's cab for a ride from marina ( 12th ) to 30th, probably $ 5 bucks ( 360 421-3083 ).
FYI. Bellingham and Blaine can be rougher than &%^$#@.
 
Looking possibly at Everett now. For what it's worth, I just checked with them and their launch/parking fee has gone up to $12. That's for the launch and parking for that day. Not sure what the rate is if you park longer. Cap Sante parking is $5/day. Not sure they would be willing to work out a longer term deal or not. And when I checked a week or two ago, the outside storage companies in the area did not have any space. Colby
 
Looking hard now at various spots in the Gulf Islands to spend time at. Time frame is this. Friday Harbor gathering on the 18-20th. Need to be in Nanaimo by the 28th. That gives me 7 or 8 days between Friday Harbor and Nanaimo. Any specific recommendations for islands/ports that are must see? After the 29th, I'll probably head over towards the mainland and hit Chatterbox Falls, then work my way north to Desolation Sound. Then cross over to the Broughtons and work my way down the inside of Vancover Island. Back to La Conner no later than June 24th. Colby
 
Colby, Desolation Sound is doable in 8 days but to get to the Broughtons may be a bridge to far. As far as the Gulf Islands our favorite places include, Wallace Island(Conover Cove), Genoa Bay, Montague and Newcastle Island by Nanimo.
If things work out we are going to Princess Louisa after FH. You will get more options and places at the gathering. There will be some Canadians at the gathering with their perspective.

Fred
 
Your itinerary might be most easily accomplished by using a Vancouver Island launching point. I didn't read the whole thread and see if this was discussed, and I know that you would like yet another variable to add to your already complicated planning. If you launched on Vancouver Island, came to FH, returned to put yout boat back on the trailer and drove north, you could do the Broughtons, then trailer back to Nanaimo.

It sounds like a lot of trailering, and there is the expense of the ferries with a +40 foot setup, but it usually pencils out to being less gas and less time.

I think that most would agree that the trip from FH to PR or the Broughtons can be a bit of a slog. Even if the Straight is flat calm, and Seymour Narrows is flat and running your direction both times. You could use the mileage calculator that was just posted to estimate your fuel cost and time for a run on the water. Compare that to Google drive from Nanaimo to Port Hardy. My guess is trailering would be faster by a couple of days and cheaper by 100 gallons. That takes the bite out of the ferry fare.

Mark
 
Colby, Desolation Sound is doable in 8 days but to get to the Broughtons may be a bridge to far. As far as the Gulf Islands our favorite places include, Wallace Island(Conover Cove), Genoa Bay, Montague and Newcastle Island by Nanimo.
If things work out we are going to Princess Louisa after FH. You will get more options and places at the gathering. There will be some Canadians at the gathering with their perspective.
Click to expand...

Fred, thanks for the info. My only time constraints are, Nanaimo by the 28th, and back to the launch to head home by the last week of June. Plans were to leave Nanaimo and head over to the other side to head up to Chatterbox Falls, then work my way north to Desolation Sound, then up to the Broughtons before heading back. Colby
 
Your itinerary might be most easily accomplished by using a Vancouver Island launching point. I didn't read the whole thread and see if this was discussed, and I know that you would like yet another variable to add to your already complicated planning. If you launched on Vancouver Island, came to FH, returned to put yout boat back on the trailer and drove north, you could do the Broughtons, then trailer back to Nanaimo.

It sounds like a lot of trailering, and there is the expense of the ferries with a +40 foot setup, but it usually pencils out to being less gas and less time.

I think that most would agree that the trip from FH to PR or the Broughtons can be a bit of a slog. Even if the Straight is flat calm, and Seymour Narrows is flat and running your direction both times. You could use the mileage calculator that was just posted to estimate your fuel cost and time for a run on the water. Compare that to Google drive from Nanaimo to Port Hardy. My guess is trailering would be faster by a couple of days and cheaper by 100 gallons. That takes the bite out of the ferry fare.
Click to expand...

Mark,
It was briefly mentioned once. I just looked at the charts, and could see where it might work. What it boils down to, is I have 1 week with my wife after the Friday Harbor gathering, and thought this would be a good time to spend in the Gulf Islands. She flys out of Victoria on the 29th, but I have a car rented in Nanaimo then, so planned to end the week there. After that, I have just shy of 4 weeks solo to explore. During that time I wanted to see ChatterBox Falls, Desolation Sound, and the Broughtons. (And any points in between that are worthwhile.) Given that information, do you have any suggestions in regards of how would be best to plan a trip? With good weather, I can see where maybe it would work to launch initially out of Nanaimo. Cruise straight to Friday Harbor with one night stopover somewhere, enjoy the gathering, then spend the week coming back enjoying the Gulf Islands. Send my wife off, then continue cruising from Nanaimo over to Desolation Sound and up to the Broughtons and back down? Or if launch and parking facilities better in Victoria, could just launch initially out of there, then load and relaunch farther up the island after the wife flys out. Colby
 
From another thread regarding BC ramp space, Bob wrote:
With somewhat limited time, I would choose one or the other. Early in the season, you may not have as much traffic in Desolation Sound. I love both areas. Hard to say one is "better"--both deserve to be at least sampled--and revisited. I have only been to each about 10 times....and never long enough!
Click to expand...

I think with almost 4 weeks, I probably have enough time to do the area I want to do from Campbell River, but listening to the experience of others. Basically, I'm possibly now looking at doing the San Juans and Gulf Islands from Ladysmith, then trailering up to Campbell River, as I want to see Chatterbox Falls, Desolation Sound and the Broughtons. I get antsy in any one spot for too long anyway, and feel I can at least get a little bit of time in Desolation and the Broughtons, while making the trip up to Chatterbox more of a destination driven trip rather than spending much time along the way and back. OTOH, I could trailer the boat again after Chatterbox and Desolation, and relaunch at Telegraph Cove to see the Broughtons. Advice or thoughts? Colby
 
If you are going to launch near the Broughtons I would launch at Port McNeil. It seems to have better services and you can get secure parking near the launch.
 
You could do a loop launching from any of these places. Johnstone straight can be nasty and you might have to wait a day or two for weather.. Launching at Telegraph or Port McNeil would avoid that run.
 
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