Princess Louisa in June?

[Ernie]

I have an R23, and will be visiting Princess Louisa inlet this summer. I’d like to make a stop in Vancouver on the way. I’m starting to set dates, and June 14 th or so seems like a good start date. The R2Ak teams will be starting their race in Port Townsend then and I think the festivities for that start would be fun to check out on my way up from SEA
My wife and I will be out for two weeks, back by July.
If any other tugnuts are interested in buddyboating any of that trip, we’d live the company.
Wondering if anyone can compare merits of motoring north from Bham and out around the Fraser to Vancouver vs going to Vancouver via gulf Islands route ( from personal experience)

 

[Red Raven]

We went north through the Gulf Isalnds last year and south via Vancouver and Point Roberts after visiting PLI. We had a great trip north. The waterfalls in June at PLI are fantastic! Best time of year. On the way south we waited three days in Vancouver for calm weather but still had some rough seas in front of the Frazier River delta. I don’t know if it is normal but there were “hundreds of logs, many of which were floating vertical bobbing up an down like battering rams” that lead us to swing far to the west. I suspect a tug pulling a log boom lost his load, not fun in 4 foot seas! We made it safely and even saw some Orcas as we approached Point Roberts! Like any trip, just be careful and watch the wind and the tides to plan your trip carefully. I’m sure in the right conditions either way can be very pleasant but the odds are probably better up through the Gulf Islands and thus that is the more popular route.

Have a great trip!

Curt

 

[scross]

We are going to try for PLI again this year after our engine temperature issue abort last summer. Our plan is to leave out of Bellingham over to Ganges to provision. Then up through the Gulf Islands to Silva Bay on the southeast tip of Gabriola Island. Across the Straight of Georgia from Silva Bay (21 nm or so) to Union Steamship Marina on Bowen Island. This marina is just a stones throw north of Vancouver. This route avoids both Whiskey Golf and needing to time Dodd Narrows.
From Bowen Island up past Schelt and up the coast anchoring at either Buccaneer Bay on Thormanby Island or at Secret Cove. Then up to John Henry's Marina before making the 41 nm fast run (8-10 kts) into PLI the next day timed to catch slack tide at Malibu Rapids. Kind of something similar heading back.
Right now we have two windows open to do this. Either the last two weeks of June or the last two weeks in August. Probably won't have our schedule nailed down until May as we have a family friend who may or may not be able to join us for all or part of the trip.

 

[rjohnson58]

We were the other half of Curt and Tracy’s team that visited PLI last year. Awesome and fantastic do not begin to describe the falls and PLI. The trip up was through the islands and then we crossed over and went into the inlet. Coming home we went into Vancouver and had to stay a day or two more than planned due to weather. As Curt said, 4 foot seas and hundreds if not thousands of deadheads do not go well together. We were actually shaking when we reached Point Roberts. The Orcas were awesome tho.
Buddy boating is a great idea. Curt and Tracy were strangers to us when we left and friends when we returned. And, it turns out that Curt is a wonderful cook. YUM! 😀 Plus you have another boat with you to bounce ideas off of. Have a great time!
Rick

 

[Shano]

Hey Ernie,
We keep our boat up the Fraser so we are familiar with the areas in question. I would say while the trip from Bham to Vancouver via the Gulf Isl is longer it is much more scenic and protected. The route along Georgia Strait is fine under good conditions but it is a little boring once you get past Pt Roberts. The Gulf Island route also gives you the option of staying in Silva Bay until crossing conditions are good. We have had a cold spring and a big snowpack so the Faser will be running hard until June so expect lots of wood in the Strait. Also, if you do the Strait route give Sandheads and North Arm areas a fairly wide berth if you are traveling on a big tide day -- it can get pretty nasty even on a calm day just because of the current against tide action. And if you see a tide line of what looks like weed and small bits of wood slow down a bit because there are frequently big chunks in there also! I am guessing that you have to clear customs so that is a consideration obviously. Enjoy Princess Louisa -- it is an awe inspiring place!
Shane