Barkley Sound June 2010?

2

20dauntless

New member
I'd really like to visit Barkley Sound this summer, but don't have a trailer and don't really want to trailer the boat out there. So I've been considering taking the trip all the way from Twin Bridges. My thinking is I'd go from Twin Bridges to Victoria, clear customs, refuel, and depending on weather head out to Sooke for the night. Then I'd leave Sooke at a ridiculously early hour for the long trip to Bamfield.

I've read other threads on this idea on here and some seem to think the trip is no big deal (weather permitting, of course) while others think it is a risky proposition.

Any more recent thoughts on this? And any interest from anyone else in doing the trip out together in June? Keep in mind this is still very early planning...
 
With your boat I wouldn't have a problem doing it, but I am also considering a trip to alaska in my 16 if I don't get another boat soon so some would consider my decisions a bit unorthodox, at best. There are some other places on the way out the straits to pull into like Port Renfrew or Neah Bay if the weather isn't to your liking. I have made the trip several times in sailboats. Fog is always a concern out there but you apparently have radar so that helps a lot. I have never found afternoons to be very comfortable for traveling out there. In the summer the westerlies come in the straits, quite often in gale force, but it almost always settles down at night. If it was me I would probably plan on turning into Neah Bay, and leaving there early in the morning for Bamfield. You can clear customs again at Bamfield. If you are still thinking about this in may give a shout. I might trailer to Neah Bay or Sequim and hop out and trail behind you up to Bamfield. Haven't been in a couple years. I think the fishing will be good up there this year if US predictions are correct.
 
would love to go and most likely can't. might be able to do it in july.

I have looked at it before and did the numbers on gas and distance and if the weather is right its a easy run. We ran to sooke last july and had a great time. Sooke would ge a good place to get fuel but you have to time the tides as the fuel is really far back from the mouth of the inlet. rear of basinand getting thru the shallow's in the front of the bay and the small tidal rapid at the mouth of the basin can be tricky if you have not done it before. In sooke basin know your markers and stay in the channels or you will end up aground, no I did not, in a hurry.

Sooke was only a two hour run from Victoria. You may want to try to get to .Port renfrew the first night

the other choice is to leave from Neah bay. Its a two to three hour run and the weather will be the same.


on edit: I don't know if fuel is available at bamfield. I did not see any last time but was not looking for it. In fact they is not much as all in bamfield. Just one store and one restaurant. mostly fly in fishing camps and thats it. the public dock was not in good shape and has no bathroom at all that I could find.

The best place we tied up was the Port alberni yacth club out station docks. You are allowed to use them if they have room. just lovely spot. Port_Alberni_Yacht_club_Harbor.jpg

all other services and fuel is over in ucluelet on the north side of the sound.
 
I have based out of Bamfield the last 3 years, and plan on it again. There are two fuel places. One on the left and one on the right. I have seen some scarcity in busy August, the arrival of the fuel barge usually relieves that pressure. A second option is the RV park at Poet Nook (5 miles up sound) - they have alot of gas.
 
Last I heard a few months ago was that the fuel dock on the east side of the inlet is still open, but is always for sale. If you can't get it there you can run up to Poets' Nook, just a few miles east, and get fuel. Poets' Nook has been upgrading the last year or two so you might want to spend some time up there. And you could always run up to China Creek for the sockeye fishing. Poets' Nook is a real friendly place and their little store has an amazing selection, plus they have good showers and laundry. Not so great in Bamfield, but doable.
 
The run to Bamfield from Sooke is a good way to go -- weather can be a factor. I've made that run dozens of time, and a 22 CD should have no problem. Radar is good because fog happens...
we normally clear at Oak Bay, then on to Sooke for an RON. Early a.m. departure and we usually just stay on the 20 fathom curve. Clearing at Victoria would be okay too.

I've done the Neah Bay route too, but weather can be a problem -- lots of open water.

Dusty
 
Thanks everyone for the insight. I'm going to look at the charts in the next few days and hopefully figure out some details. My schedule is pretty tight for boating this summer since the latter half is going to be spent traveling abroad, but I'd like to try and get a good trip in at some point.

If there is anyone else interested in doing this trip let me know...
 
How long a trip are you planning, (# of days etc)? That is a trip I have wanted to do also, but the big open water is a bit daunting to me. We have considered trailering up to Port Alberni and launching there. The run across from Neah Bay seems like it would be just extra crossings if you have already cleared customs. Either way, I agree, the westerlies will be up early, and would not plan on travel much past noon.

January 2010 issue of Northwest Yachting has a article by Anne and Laurence Yeadon-Jones that discusses this trip through Juan de Fuca to Bamfield and the Deer Group. Might go look for one at WestMarine or the local boat mag place.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Harvey,

The Port Alberni route is a good one. BTDT, and except for commercial fishing nets it has been a great way to go. I think they now have good storage for the trailer, and the run to Bamfield is fine if you run early... it can get sloppy after noon.
Sure worth the trip. West coast of Vancouver Island is my favorite fishing area -- and I like to work up towards the north end. More fish and fewer fishermen. Ucleulet is getting crowded!!!
Dusty
 
Sounds like quite an adventure. Our long term plans call for trips such as this, but with our current equipment (or lack thereof; no radar) I wouldn't be comfortable going it alone in our boat. At some point we'll have to improve our electronics package, money allowing.
 
We will keep watch on this. Not sure I can spring a week, but might be able to stretch a weekend. No long weekends in June, and the 4th of July isn't looking too good either, (It should have been on Tuesday :lol:

Going around from Victoria, via Sooke, I would think one would want a nice stable high pressure weather pattern for a few days. How much shelter is available once you are past Bamfield?

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Harvey,

Once you leave Sooke there is only one place to hide -- Port Renfrew. I used to use it as a destination because Swiftsure Bank is just down the road a piece. I recommend local knowledge if you plan to stop there because moorage is limited, weather can make up quickly, and when I was there the last time it was difficult to find good food. Suspect a Google search would bring you up to date. Lots of great local fishing!!

Dusty
 
Thanks Dusty, Since we don't fish, mostly photograph and sightsee, Port Renfrew might be an OK stop, if there is a decent place to tie to, or anchor.

Somewhere along that run there is an entrance into a lake. anybody been in there?

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Harvey we're with you on the no fishing idea, so fishing has absolutely no bearing on any of our decisions. I've read about Nitinat Lake and it sounds interesting but tricky to get into. I'm not sure if you've read Jennifer and James Hamilton's website (www.mvdirona.com), but they've been there on a 40 foot Bayliner so I'm sure it's possible to get past the bar in a C-Dory, but the conditions would have to be perfect for me to attempt it. Here's some reading on the subject:

http://mvdirona.com/TravelArticles/Nitinat.htm

Also on their website is information about their experiences on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

http://mvdirona.com/Trips/WestCoast2003/

If you click on the day 1 link you'll see pictures of an awfully flat trip from Victoria to Bamfield. I'd be thrilled with water that calm...
 
Dusty,
Last time I checked with Port Boat House, the C-Dory dealer here in Port Alberni, they advised they would store any Brat's trailer while they were cruising this area.

Andrew
 
Harvey,

The Nitinat trip is one you should plan for! A local fisherman that I had a beer or two with (Pat, you know I wouldn't drink more than two) at the local watering hole led me up the slot. High slack for sure. I'd suggest a local knowledge guide for your first trip. The shallow-draft CD should make it an easy transit.
Renfrew can get VERY sloppy if the weather makes up. I wouldn't leave Sooke if the weather forecast looks marginal. Having a buddy boat along is wise on any of these long open-water trips.

Dusty
 
20dauntless, Thanks for the links, will go there next.

Dusty, Thanks for the excellent advice. A glassy water trip around would sure be icing on the cake, though I am still stuck with that WORK thing and not having a very flexible schedule. Someday forward I hope.

The ferry price to take a PU and trailer with a 22 is approaching $200 each way, could add motivation to do the run around, and its more fun that way too.

Good thing there is always a carrot hanging out there.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
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