Broughton Cruising, Does it get any better?

D

Dreamer

New member
I notice that Reef Madness is in the neighborhood, Echo Bay, us in Kwatsi Bay. Any other Brats in the Broughtons these early days of Summer?

The last two days have been spectacular. Bright Sun, dolphins in the bow wake, great friends and tasty shell fish.

One of our gang did take a fall and is going to have a checkout tomorrow but they'll be back soon for sure.

Trailering North is the way to go. Starting a Broughton tour in Telegraph Cove beats a 2-3 day slog through unknown weather.

I thought I heard Island Ranger on the radio today. Anyone know if Mac is up this way? Hail us anytime. Dreamer, Cast Away, Sea Pal and Kingfisher II.
 
Hi Roger,

Sounds pretty spectacular! Keep the reports coming when you have the time... and we always like to see a photo or twelve. :D

Our best regards to you and all your group,
Jim & Joan
 
Ah yes, the Broughtons! I spent my second night on the way to Ketchikan at Sullivan Bay! Patty has yet to see the Broughtons, since she flew into Ketchikan and met me there. The Broughtons are on our short list of cruising destinations, along with the west coast of Vancouver Island. Enjoy, and keep the reports coming! And some pix, like Jim says!

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There is free internet here and great ice cream!

 
Diana and I are still trying to figure out where we are taking Constant Craving this September. Are any of the Brats interested in a Broughton trip starting the weekend after Labor Day??

I have visions of one of Shawn Brown's blue berry pies, plus pancakes at Shawl Bay, and a few dozen (pounds) of shrimp at Lagoon Cove.

Steve
 
Roger, which ferry did you take and what was the cost to get across? I have been thinking about going after Labor Day and am curious.
 
Wish we were there, but haven't left yet. This summer is payback for taking off most of last summer. We're now planning for 3-4 weeks, in September for our long trip of the season. Still deciding where to go - Octopus Islands is leading the list, but we're planning to cruise at 6 kts (fuel costs - think we burn 1 to 1.5 gph there), so our distance traveled each day will not be great.

Mac
Island Ranger
 
Keep the sunshine comming! We are in Lund, and heading that way--after a few days in Desolation Sound. Not sure, but Retriever may also make it up that way. We met up with them for a second time today.
 
On the ferry question:-

Roger took the Coho but if you are coming fom the mainland side you basically have two choices. WA state ferry from Anacortes to Swartz Bay or BC ferries from Tsawassen to Nanaimo.

WA ferry is approx 2x the cost of BC and the drive is longer.

Launching at Telegraph cove is OK at high water +/- 2 Hrs and you can get 4 weeks parking for $60. Maybe tough to find moorage as it is theoretically all sold to condo owners so figure on launching then going to Sointula, Alert Bay or Port MacNeill which is very good for gas and provisioning.
Port MacNeill is also a good launch and there are storage options for trailer.

Roger is a great tour guide and we are now at Sullivan Bay trying to figure out how to eat all the Prawns and crab. Have a little WA liquid sunshine today to wash off the salt....

Life is tough..

Merv & Kathy (ask her about her $700 bionic finger...)
 
Steve,
Shelley and I have the Broughtons back on the short list for the first two weeks of September. We're thinking about launching out of Port McNeil again, and possibly taking a jaunt as far north as Belize Inlet this time. Let us know if you're planning to go.
Lyle
 
Lloyds,

The Coho from Port Angeles was $203.00 one way! that's for a super cab and TomCat. I worried about the vertical clearance since I'm a bit over legal :embarrased But it was no problem.

The Prawns have been colossal. Crab plentiful and the baked goods at Shawl Bay are as good as ever. Cast Away left us today to see a few more spots before leaving on the weekend. We are hunkering down in Sullivan Bay doing laundry. Chefs have gone and been replaced already but we had a good meal last night. The steak and speghetti was quite nice and with good friends, it was even better.

The manager Chris is very helpful and does double duty in the kitchen.

Traffic is light at this point. I suspect you'll see fewer boats out this year. Steve, come on up and support your favorite marinas!

 
Frequent Sea is at Lagoon Cove. We had a good weather window and ran up from Squirrel Cove this AM. Johnston Straits were flat, so we kept going until we could duck in the next channel--and then pick up fuel. I gave a "C Brat" call on 16 and 68, but no response.

Squirrel Cove only had 20 boats last night--usually on Canada Day weekend there are 100 boats. Plenty of empty dockage at Lagoon Cove. Even Refuge Bay and the Pruideaux Haven were relitatively empty. Definately a real effect on both boating and the lodges. We only saw a hand full of boats fishing in the Dent Rapids area on up. Some fishing lodges had all of their boats at the dock--others didn't even have boats in the water.

So if any C Brats are on the net and in the Broughtons area--give a shout. We will probably stay up here for a week or so.
 
Dreamer, Sea Pal and Kingfisher II are all in Pierre's at Echo Bay which is so full they are building new dock even as boats arrive. Windsong, across the bay is empty.

We will be at Sullivan 3rd./4th.

Merv & Kathy
 
Roger, Dr Bob, Grumpy et al,

We came through the inland passage last Thursday, Alert Bay at 1100, and then south on a Royal Caribbean, (Rapsody of the Seas). weather was misty, rainy some, and occasionally dry patches. I spent most of the day up on the bow watching for C-Dorys, and frequently calling on 16 and 68, for "Any C-Dory traffic" but got no replay and did not see a single C-Dory. We did get to watch a TomCat get unloaded from an Alaska Marine barge. It was on the top, 5 or 6 layers up, and as high as they could reach with the forklifts.

Sure would rather be up there on my own boat, (get better control that way) and sure miss seeing you all up there. Keep up the good reports, pix and weather. We are liking the change to summer here.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Harvey,
Just missed you. We were in Alert Bay on Tuesday spending $$$ getting Kathy's finger put back in place and left Wednesday morning to re-join the gang in Sullivan Bay. Had to go to Alert because they actually have a Doctor whereas Mc Neill and Port Hardy have to share one on alternate days. Point worth noting if you ever need medical attention up here.
Another point for those on Medicare, is that IF you have to get care here be sure to say that you were "in transit" to Alaska. Then you are covered. Apparently if your destination was BC then you are not covered. At least that is what I have been told by a fellow crusier here in Echo Bay.

Now for Pierre's Pig Roast tonight.

So far most places have been just about deserted but Pierre's is full. We are the 3 smallest boats here as everyone has turned up for the grand opening in their 50+ footers.
Sad to look across the bay at Windsong and see it empty and people sitting on the doorstep of their stores looking across the water.

Merv & Kathy
 
We will run up to Echo today--probably doing to anchor out and join the boats at Echo Bay, in fact the management asked us to take some items up to Windsong, so we will definately be up there in a few hours.
 
sea wolf we just got back last night from a 4 dayer at telegraph cove. weather and wind conditions were perfect but the fishing sucked! we will be up that way lots in august and september. only saw 1 other c-dory this trip but i guess everyone was up at broughton island. hope to see more c-brats here this year.
 
Harvey, Sorry we missed your call, out of range I suspect. Wish you were here on Sleepy C.

Looking forward to seeing Dr. Bob pull in. 3 boats in the distance headed this way now and the marina is already full!

On edit, Dr. Bob on Frequent Sea has arrived and they have squeezed him in!

Here's one reason for cruising this area. Happy Canada Day, eh?
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