Brats in the Broughtons!

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We are still here. Today (7-21) we are in Powell River. We finally had time for fishing and caught a few salmon and lots of bottom fish. Here is a pix of the 30 lb. Chinook caught off Sarah point. Getting the new camper back next week--yeah. It is still raining up here off and on. 4 sunny days of the last 5. Getting ready to be home.

Brent and Dixie
 
On our recent 8 week trip to British Columbia we traveled by boat for 1172 statute miles.
The total fuel consumed was 417.33 gallons, for an average of 2.8 statute miles per gallon. Much of the time we traveled using both motors running at 1800 RPM. This gave us 6 to 10 MPH depending on current. When fishing for Salmon we trolled at 600 RPM on one motor @ 1.5 to 2.5 MPH. We ran for not more than 100 miles at cruise speed of 25 MPH. We were heavily loaded with food, water, clothing and fishing gear. In hindsight we had too much of everything, but thats the way we travel.

Fuel cost for the boat was Just under $2000.00. Gas in Canada ranged from $1.17 to $1.49 per liter. Gas to fill back up at home was $3.75 per gallon.

We were in a marina 19 nights, two nights on public docks, the rest on the hook. Marina's ranged from $.85/ft/night with power included (Blaine), to $2.00/ ft/night (False Creek YC, Vancouver). The most expensive 30A power was $20.00/night at Echo Bay. Showers ranged from free, to $5.00 each. We used Campbell River, and Port McNeil as the major resupply points. Another good spot was Heriot Bay. The cheapest Canadian fuel was in Campbell River, $1.17/L. The most expensive was at Blind Channel, however we heard that Refuge Cove was even more.

The trip was very enjoyable even considering the weather. June was cooler and wetter and possibly we would delay the starting until July next time. We experienced all types of seas, from glass calm to 3-5 ft waves on several occasions. Roger (Dreamer) always said the most dangerous thing on a boat was a schedule. Using that philosophy we were able to avoid most rough seas. On those occasions, the travel was at most just uncomfortable. The number of great, interesting people we met were innumerable. Overall, boaters seem to be terrific people. We look forward to our next trip--where ever that may be.

Brent and Dixie
 
June was cooler and wetter and possibly we would delay the starting until July next time.
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This has been an unusually cool/wet "summer" up here. Others can chime in. It's not always like this, but the jokes are:

...PNW summer starts AFTER July 4th
...summer here is great! Both days of it.
 
Discovery were you in refuge cove two weeks ago friday we pull in to refuge cove in a seaway 25 rainy dawn. saw a tomcat at the dock by the time i found a place to dock and walk over to where you were you were just pulling out it was a nice day and refuge cove was packed.
 
Duff,

That was another TomCat. I was trolling along Sarah Point and saw the TomCat headed toward Refuge Cove. I tried to call it on channel 16 and 68, but no response. Just after it passed I hooked up with a 30 lb. Chinook.

Anyway sorry we missed you if we were so close.

Brent
 
Hi Brent and Dixie,

Glad to hear you had a good summer! We know you two travel in style, and the TomCat sure has lots of room for all the stuff. Thanks for the updates; we look forward to the next time our paths cross.

Best wishes,
Jim & Joan
 
Discovery":2zvh4ycm said:
Duff,

That was another TomCat. I was trolling along Sarah Point and saw the TomCat headed toward Refuge Cove. I tried to call it on channel 16 and 68, but no response. Just after it passed I hooked up with a 30 lb. Chinook.

Anyway sorry we missed you if we were so close.

Brent
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Brent and Duff,

I think that must have been me! We had just stopped in at Refuge to drop off some garbage and pickup a few supplies. Sorry I didn't hear the hail, I would have liked to see that big King in person, especially since I didn't have any luck with Salmon myself.
We had to miss the gathering in Bellingham but we had a great time in Desolation and want to spend more than 9 days next year.
I put a few photos in our album.
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Aurelia will be headed north on the evening of the 1st of September for a 17 day trip up to the Broughtons via the Gulf Islands, Campbell River, Desolation Sound, and north past Dent rapids before rejoining Johnstone Straight and into the Cracrofts then the Broughton area. We will be anchoring most of the time but will head into some ports to resupply enjoy and restaurant meal. We have maps, books, lists of highlights and services, and I have been through much of the area by kayak but we have no actual schedule. We also read through trips logs from a fellow Brat for even more insight into the area. We want to see whales and do some fishing and crabbing so those are near the top of the list. If you see a blue 25 towing a yellow dinghy, wave back, and maybe we will bump into a brat or two along the way. Sorry to miss the Sequim gathering this year but this window of time was best for us and good for the trip as well.

Greg, Cindie, and Aven
 
Wow what a great trip Campbell river Johnstone strait and the broughtons
we trailered to north end of Vancouver island this allowed us to spend 16 days in and around the broughtons
Some of the other brats had some wet weather on trips north this year but we had it good only two days of rain
Not sure where you plan on going in the broughtons but if time allows the burdwood group is a must see
Have a great time

Dave
 
Brent and Dixie.

Good management summary of your Canadian summer trip. I have taken that same route on my friend's 55 foot Grand Banks but I would still like to take it on my 22 foot C-Dory also!

Interesting comment regarding starting after July 4th for weather reasons. I agree!

Missed you both at Catalina this year. Nice King Salmon.

Jim and Kath
 
Jim and Kathy

Thanks for the kind words. We thought about coming on south to Catalina after the Broughtons, but decided two months out was long enough. We have really enjoyed cruising with you two in the past. Three times to the Sacramento Delta, and three or four times to Catalina. Maybe next year back to California, if we don't start the Great Loop.

Brent and Dixie
 
Greg,
That's a great trip you're planning. We're leaving Anacortes on 9/2, also for 17 days in B.C. We no longer have our 25, but miss it. So, if you see a bigger boat named Bessie charging toward you, it's us.

We're taking a different route than you. We're going through the Gulf Islands to Nanaimo, then northeast around the edge of Whiskey Golf and up the Sunshine Coast side. We've always gone somewhere around Vancouver Island so this time we're going to go up the mainland and visit Princess Louisa Inlet, then to Desolation Sound if we have time. Maybe we'll see you out there.
Lyle
 
Trip going great so far. Spent first night at Poulsbo followed by Ganges, Nanaimo, Prideaux Haven then last night in Forward Harbor and we are the only boat on the dock at Kwatsi tonight. Nice weather and smooth water and everything is working well. Averaging 2.1-2.3 kmpg so far with average speeds around 14 knots so far. One flounder and one Sculpin but that was just warming up at anchor last night. More fishing to come.

Greg
 
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