Campbell River Boat Launching and Truck/trailer Parking.

P

Peter & Judy

New member
We are now prepping for our cruise in Desolation Sound and the Discovery Islands and we are looking to launch at Campbell River. There are several marinas there and we are looking for first hand advise related to launching our boat and parking our truck and trailer somewhere for about two weeks. We would appreciate any advice that anyone could give us. I am also considering launching at Heriot Bay on Quadra Island. Off Quadra I would have to pay for the ferry, but I could park for free.

Thank you in advance for your advise.
 
Last summer I also launched at Campbell River. There is a nice launch in town, however parking was $5/day. Coordinates: N50 02.310 W125 14.671. I was told there was some free long term parking in a lot near the launch. I spoke with a Mountie sitting in that lot, and he advised against it. At least he said he wouldn't leave his truck and trailer there. I noticed some old vagrant vehicles in the area, but no boat trailer rigs... there is also a paid parking area next to that lot, but small sized, only for cars. Also, a sign in the free lot listed a time limit. I forget what it was, but only a few days. Maybe 48 hours? I was only there a week, so I ended up paying to park at the launch ramp. Also, there is no water available there to wash things down, but there are some car washes near by. I spent a night around the corner from the launch at the Fishermans Wharf marina. Pretty basic. N50 01.484 W125 14.274. The Discovery Harbor Marina looked a little nicer, but was probably more expensive. The coordinates entering Discovery Harbor for the Marina or the Launch: N50 02.182 W125 14.575. It's a nice launch. Be careful if you use the shore side, as it shallows quickly more than a boat's beam off the dock, at low tide. When I went last summer, I tried to find better parking options for something long term (a week or two), but wasn't able to come up with anything. The launch parking lot worked out fine, but I could see it might be a problem when it's busy, as it isn't necessarily a large lot. Colby
 
Look up CR Storage. Just a couple miles N of town. Reasonable price, very secure, and took me (and others) back to the launch. Also have a good wash down hise and deck. Has been a favorite of several C-Brats. Call them and ask. Sorry, I don't have the info with me.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Peter & Judy,

Choose to launch in Powell River. Yes you have two ferries, but, by my calculation, combined they are about the cost of the ferry to Nanaimo. The launch in Powell River is very good and there is free parking available at our house and we can pick you up and drop you off at the launch ramp which is 2 km from our house. Powell River is much closer to Desolation sound. You do not have to cross the Georgia Strait unless you want to do a circum navigation of Quadra.
PM me if you are interested.
Cheers
Ron
 
I forgot about CR storage. I did not use them as they would not be available to take me back to the launch, and their prices were a bit higher. However, speaking with the lady on the phone, they seemed nice, but busy. Had I planned to stay longer, I probably would have been willing to work with their schedule to get me back to the launch and/or pick me up when I got back. Colby
 
Hard to beat the Ron on Meander offer.

Not sure of the free parking at Heriot Bay. We live on the outer islands and pay annually at the government dock there. See their info and rates here:

http://www.qiha.ca

There is a very limited amount of free parking close to the Heriot Bay Inn. A handful of spots just south of the HBI lot and north of the Cortes ferry ramp. Seems to be a kind of no man's land claimed by neither the Inn nor BC Ferries.
 
What about saving one ferry and launching at Pender Harbor/ Garden Bay? Is there parking available there?
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Chuck it is possible to save one ferry and launch around the Pender Harbour/Garden bay area, however I don't know of any secure and/or free parking for a truck and trailer. There is a fenced yard that I see a lot of boats in near Garden Bay but I don't know anything about costs or transport from a launch ramp. Of any of the ramps I checked out a few years ago I would probably pick the one at The Back Eddy Resort at Egmont. Again I am not knowledgeable about costs or security there.

Cheers

Ron
 
Hi Peter and Judy,

I live on Quadra. Another option would be to contact the We Wai Kai Campsite at Rebecca Spit they have a fenced compound that they might rent you space in. They are also located right beside the provincial park that has a boat launch within walking distance. If you have any boating questions about the area your welcome to send me a PM any time.

Happy cruising,
 
I usually launch at Pacific Playground. https://pacificplaygrounds.ca/

There is no secure parking but you can park on the street for free and I think it is relatively safe. I would feel safer leaving my trailer there than I would in the free parking lot in Campbell River.

You are right across from Lund and can make a quick tour past Mitlenatch Island. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/mitlenatch_is/

You can only launch and leave the marina on a half tide or higher.

I don't know anything about Brown Bay, but that might be another possibility. I think Sleepy C has been there.

Remember that Campbell River has a lot of currents and Cape Mudge has some dangerous rip tides so you will need to watch the tides as you leave to the sourth. Or you can go north through Seymour Narrows and Octupus Islands, but again, make sure you watch the tides and currents.
 
Thank you all for the advice, as I was hoping, I got good advice on some of the launch options other than what I could find in Wagoneers and other publications. We are planning to bring Mistaya back to the west coast again. We brought her home from the Yukon 2 ½ years ago. Since then we have honed our boating skills on fresh water from the Yukon to Lake Powell. Now it is time for the salt water test. Mistaya is going out to Vancouver Island for the next year and we plan to cruise with her in early Summer, September and again next spring before deciding is she come home to the prairies again next year. One of the problems of bringing a boat out to the coast, which is a 1200 km one way drive for us, is the $600 it costs to get her on and off Vancouver island on BC Ferries. They are not offering the reduced fares for RV’s and boats this year. I can store the boat in Port Alberni where my wife’s family live for about $800 a year. If I was only going to launch to go to Desolation Sound, Ron on Meander’s offer to launch from there would be cheaper. It still costs about $500 to get to and from Powell River. I may take you up on the offer some time in the future Ron, but if we make it to Powell River, where I have a friend I would like to visit, we will give you a call. Thank you for the generous offer Ron, I look forward to meeting you. The marina at Pacific Playgounds looks like an excellent option, as it is not far from Campbell River and will give us a good route between Quadra Island at the beginning of the cruise and Lund and Mitlenach Island on our return. Thank you for the suggestion Gypsy. Quadra Island would also be a nice place to launch from, but to trailer the boat on and off the island would still cost us about $107. We look forward to anchoring in Drew Harbour, Granite Bay and around Quadra.

Basing ourselves in Port Alberni will allow us access to many areas of the island and as Judy’s brother lives on Sproat Lake, we can wash Mistaya in fresh water by cruising there after being on the ocean. We hope to do some salmon fishing in Alberni Inlet, cruise Desolation Sound and the Discovery Islands. We have sea kayaked in this area often, but the C-Dory will help us get deeper into the remoter parts of this beautiful area. Quadra Island and this part of the coast is on our short list to live once we fully retire and can break away from this bison ranching habit that we have. In September we plan to boat more on the west coast, probably in Clayoquot Sound. Next spring maybe north or south, we’ll see.

We are still open to more suggestions, as they only add to our knowledge base and give us future options. Hopefully we will meet some C-Brats during our cruising this summer.
 
Judy said
We are still open to more suggestions, as they only add to our knowledge base and give us future options. Hopefully we will meet some C-Brats during our cruising this summer.
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I live on Vancouver Island and have been or want to go to most of the places on your list. I hope you will contact me while you are here.

Gypsy
 
"I don't know anything about Brown Bay, but that might be another possibility. I think Sleepy C has been there. "
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I have stayed at Brown's Bay, but I was already on the boat. I would not want to launch there. It is a beach launch essentially, no side dock, and I don't remember much of a ramp. The restaurant had decent fish and chips. There is a pretty good sized RV lot, and there are washrooms and showers IIRC.

Parking and storing in Port Alberni doesn't particularly give you great access to the east side of Vancouver Island waters, but if the price is right, you can always drive over the mountain.

As C-Gypsy said, Pacific Paradise might be a good bet.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Parking and storing in Port Alberni doesn't particularly give you great access to the east side of Vancouver Island waters, but if the price is right, you can always drive over the mountain.
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Port Alberni is appealing for several reasons. One Judy's Mother and brother live there, so if there was a problem or the boat needed checking over the winter, it would be easy. Secondly, you can be launching in either the west coast of the island in Tofino or the east coast within about 2 hours of Port Alberni. There are also two great lakes, Sproat Lake and Great Central Lake within 15 minutes of Port Alberni if you are looking for a freshwater alternative to boat on. Not to mention the Alberni Inlet with one of the best salmon runs anywhere. Port Alberni also is a good place for refit, repair and resupply of your boat. Port Boat House used to be a C-Dory Dealer.
 
Another option, if you are looking, is at LadySmith and the Fisherman Wharf marina there. Parking is free, and there is fresh water available if you have your own hose. (It's at the marina office, if you ask for permission.) When I was there, last June, the fleet was still in, so no slip space, but the ramp was good, and I did find another marina next door. I parked for a week, and the harbor master kept watch on my rig. Also a nice car wash a block away that had large stalls and even a outboard muff. Colby
 
Baxter,23 Venture, has traveled coast to coast and parking secure is biggest problem we face on the trips. I am willing to pay reasonable amount.
We use campgrounds and motels on the way, live in Wyoming, so lots of
miles. Motels are the worse for parking most times.

We are planning on attending Friday Harbor event May 17 and heading to Desolation Sound after.
Idea 1: Motor back to Antecortes where we launch and take truck, trailer,
and boat on Ferry from there to Sidney. Then drive to Campbell River if
can find parking and go from there.

Idea 2 Back to Antecortes, by the way good parking, Drive up the Sunshine Coast to Powell River taking the ferries in route.

Idea 3 cross Strait of Georgia and hope wind not high. Last year was good from Nanaio to Powel River. Did not know to contact submarine Practice area but did so on way back. Fines heavy if caught without permission.

Back. Left PR early am. First 2/3 great and then wind as forcast picked up
and we slowed on rolled up and down waves high but felt safe but lots of work going overthem, Much rougher and would not have crossed that section. No sickness but sick of doing it. And happy when reached Naminio.

So favoring 1 or 2.

ANY SUGGESTIONS APPECIATED. pARKING IS ALWAYS THE ISSUE FOR US.
Would not mind either drive would make a trip of it.

Have not been able to contact CR storage and must make reseerviations
with Antecortes ferry in advance

Thanks.
 
When I did this last year, I ended up taking the BC ferry system from south of Vancouver, to Nanaimo. (Forget the ferry terminal names.) Parked and launched for free at Lady Smith, cruised back to Friday Harbor, clearing customs at Roche Harbor. After the gathering, wife and I cruised the Gulf Islands, clearing customs at South Pender Island. Wife had to return home for work then, so loaded the boat and left it on the trailer at LadySmith, while we drove down to Victoria. Stayed in a hotel a night or two there, then after getting my wife to the airport, went back to retrieve the boat and towed up to Campbell River. Launched there, and paid to keep the truck in the city launch lot for 5 days, while I cruised around Desolation. Reloaded the boat on the trailer, and towed up to Telegraph Cove. Paid to launch and park the truck there (plenty of nice parking, wash ramp, just a nice facility), while I spent 5 more days in the Broughtons. (I believe parking at Telegraph was $5/day or $30/week, in Canadian. And it was a pretty cool place! If I was just spending a few weeks in the San Juans and/or Gulf Islands, I'd pay to use the sling launch and park at Cap Sante Marina. If I was spending more time, and wanted to go as far north as the Broughtons, Telegraph Cove would probably be my choice. I agree, secure and safe parking over time is the biggest hassle I've faced in planning longer cruises. But I suppose anything is available at a price. BTW, I felt the trailer rig was safe at all 3 places. But Telegraph Cove was by far the nicest. Campbell River was probably the least attractive due to small parking lot and lack of wash down facility at the launch ramp. I used Cap Sante a few years ago when we went to the San Juans, and it worked out well for that week, as we didn't go any farther north. Colby
 
WE pulled trigger today and made reservations.
Going via C-Dory back to Antcortes, Ferry with truck trailer and boat to Sidney (Victoria),
Drive to Campbell River using CR storage to keep truck and trailer. They were acocomodating but have limited space.

C-Dory to desolation sound.

Return to Campbell River drive to Victoria, Ferry to
Port Angles, WA attend R2AK Race party and start. 6/2/3 5am

Head back to Sheridan, WY.

Usually travel with no reservations but only way found could
do this trip.

Good luck to all doing simiar trip Baxter II
 
Baxter, thank you for the heads up. Sunday morning after Friday Harbor we plan on heading up to Nanaimo and then onto Sullivan Bay via Prideaux Haven. We will now avoid this deep water test range named Whiskey Golf. The range is active Mondays through Fridays, sometimes Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30p.m.

Gary and Colleen on DayBreak.
 
gary f":3vkkyy0y said:
Baxter, thank you for the heads up. Sunday morning after Friday Harbor we plan on heading up to Nanaimo and then onto Sullivan Bay via Prideaux Haven. We will now avoid this deep water test range named Whiskey Golf. The range is active Mondays through Fridays, sometimes Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30p.m.

Gary and Colleen on DayBreak.
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Gary, the Whiskey Golf site "can be active" M-F, but is not always active those days. It is also called "Winchelsea". A call on VHF 16 for the Canada Coast Guard will get you the correct place to call, and will give active times I believe.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
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