Hello Steve,
I visited POW extensively last summer and the past few years. I really enjoy Craig and all of the west and south part of the island. Having "the rig" will allow you all kinds of options. My wife and I have been in most of the port communities by boat and rented a car last year and drove all over the "Rock". Great fishing, crabin' and shrimp if your into that. The maze of islands is wonderful crusing as well. The interisland ferry service opened up from Coffman Cove to Wrangell and Mintakof last summer.
Locals told me that there are only Black Bears on POW - and lots of them. We saw them most every drive and from the boat. They are hunted and the ones we saw pretty much took off. The island seems to be a deer factory as well so we watched our driving. The launch at Nakatui (Knock -a -tee) looked good to me for a trip north and your rig would be much safer than at Labouchere Bay. There is no settlement at Labouchere Bay and a tough road to get there. The cruise north up El Cap passage and Dry Pass is protected and just spectacular. Leaving the pass its about 30 NM up to Port Protection Wooden Wheel Cove where Jack Mason has fuel, laundry, showers, a liquor store and anything else. You are two miles from Point Baker where most folks go but with your size you get to go anywhere you please ( A delight of C-Dorys). From Woden Wheel cove's state float you can look across to where you want to go. Jack's dock is full of free advice. Baranoff is full of Brown Bears, I always stay on my boat but feel safe.
I think that your plan is great. You have me tempted to take my rig there as it opens up a ton of great options.
Shawn