For Some Winter-time Dreaming

Good article, but it leaves out many of the places we like. Ocean Falls, is always interesting. Namu has been falling into decay for many years, but still fun. Purth Bay and the Hakai property, with a public trail across Calvert Island to the outside.

There are so many different routes to take as you go thru this. The only problem doing it in a C Dory is the fuel range. Almost always fuel at Shearwater/Bella Bella, but Hartley and Bella Cola are going to be "depending on availability"..

For some reason the place that many miss, and we loved was the Queen Charlotte Islands. We took over 2 weeks to circumnavigate and stay at a number of different coves. Certainly well off the beaten path.

I guess that is seems unusual to just go to Prince Rupert and not go on to Alaska. But being a BC resident--there may be some reason??
 
Since our cruise north from Prince Rupert in 2004, I’ve had this area in consideration to see, either again out of Prince Rupert or by doing the Inland Passage out of the Pugent Sound/San Juan + area. It’s still on my list & if I do it will be up from the San Juan’s. This season will be 20 years since our first trip with a C-Dory out of Skagway & here are the reasons we have put it off. I’ve talked to many cruisers who have throughly cruised both this & my favorite areas in SE Alaska, which are around Admiralty, Baranof & Chichagof Islands & all have agreed of the two areas, the ABC islands were much better in all aspects. The ones who most convinced me of this was long ago C-Brats, Brian & Monica, who used to have the 22CD, C Worthy. They had sold the C Dory & purchased a 30 some foot sailboat & then spent a full year in British Columbia in the areas described in the article & then followed that up with a year in SE Alaska with much of it spent in the area there, that I prefer to keep returning to. We met them in 2010 & spent several days at the wilderness dock & cabin on Lisianski Inlet. There, they shared much of their experiences & opinions of these two areas in detail with us. Along with these conversations, I’ve spent many hours gathering information on routes, anchorages including looking over this area on Google Earth. In searching out the more remote inlets, like I’ve actually cruised in SE Alaska, what stood out the most to me, is in the areas, that I was really drawn to, invariably right in the heart, would be either a lodge or native small community. Of course there are some that are not, but not in comparison to SE Alaska.

I think for most Canadians & many like Harvey, who boat out of the Pugent Sound/San Juan plus area this is a very good destination to explore, without have to do the much more additional road & or sea miles to cruise the area of upper SE Alaska. Also for those who like the isolated lodges, they are well spread out in this area. Fuel prices there are very high compared to SE Alaska, but much fuel could be saved by not going all the way to Alaska & then cruising their too.

This year it’s back to SE Alaska via a road trip to Skagway for us, but perhaps in 2023 we will finally at least see some of this area on our way through to SE Alaska from the south.

Jay
 
Colby, I saw your test. Just trying to help out another C-BRAT buddy who is have some of the same issues.

AND if anyone comes up with decent parking in the Prince Rupert area I would sure like to know where it is.

Harvey
SleepyC

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Salmon Fisher":2i3qgga0 said:
I see others have used Coastal Propane in Prince Rupert in the past.
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I have used them. They are a small family owned business. I stayed in touch with them frequently, especially as it got closer to when I planned my departure. Bill and Becky Smith also parked there with me. Not a lot of room, but they fit us in. Launch ramp is one or two blocks away. I forget who, but another C-Brat got there after making reservations to find out they didn't have room. I parked there several years ago. The other C-Brat attempted last year I believe. I would highly suggest anybody that desires to park there, contact them, make reservations, and then stay in touch with them frequently to let them know you are coming and to insure they do in fact keep a space open for you. Also, and I forget the name of the campground, but not far from Prince Rupert, on the way in on the highway is a nice RV Campground that has an RV car wash. Perfect for rinsing the road grime off the boat and rig when arriving, and to rinse the salt off the boat when departing. Colby
 
Thanks for the replies. I saw Coastal but then the other C-Brat got aced out even with a reservation. I tried to call Coastal today but it sounds like there is no phone service, like a fast busy signal.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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hardee":1wjz5ui8 said:
Thanks for the replies. I saw Coastal but then the other C-Brat got aced out even with a reservation. I tried to call Coastal today but it sounds like there is no phone service, like a fast busy signal.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Click to expand...

It could just be a busy signal. I can't remember for sure, but I may have gotten that a few times in my earlier calls to them. Unfortunately, they are the only place I know of there, and it did work out well for Bill and I. But I will admit, even with all my calls with them, when I got there and saw it, at first I was concerned. I expected a lot larger property. But they fit me in next to an old propane truck next to their big storage tank. (Yeah, no worry me hoping no tank explosions.... lol) That was inside a separate fenced in area, inside the main fenced in area. They had Bill just outside of that, backed in with some other rigs. It actually worked out well for him, as he needed to have some trailer work done, and was able to work with Coastal Propane and the trailer shop so that they could get the trailer and return it while we were gone. At the time they charged by the week or by the month, monthly being a bit cheaper.

A couple photos of the storage area at Coastal Propane
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