Broken Islands

[Bill McClure]

Hi Kittiwake,

Tell us more about your trip to the Broken Islands. I've been there in a kayak and a West Wight Potter, but not a Mac. Where did you launch, and how did you get to the put in? Thanks.

Bill

[Kittiwake]

As you know, it is a beautiful spot, and even in high season there are relatively few other boats in the Broken Group ... partly because most cruising boats have to fight their way through the Juan de Fu ca strait and up or down the exposed coast of Vancouver Island, and perhaps partly because there are no marinas in the park and no fresh water.
The perfect spot for trailerables.
Of course, as you have experienced, it is popular with energetic kayakers as there are a handful of beaches where they can haul out and camp scattered throughout the many islands.
Ramp launching is available at Uclulet in the Pacific Rim Park, or at the head of Alberni Inlet (Port Alberni) eg. via Clutesi Haven Marina or China Beach. General concensus is still that the road to Bamfield (unpaved logging road) is too rough on trailer and boat ... which is a shame.
Probably the drawbacks to the various put-in points remain the same as in your past experience: it is a 21-mile trip (by water) from the head of Alberni Inlet to get to the Broken Group (expect strong esterly winds in afternoon) ... but Alberni Inlet itself is beautiful. Free trailer parking is still available at Clutesi Haven ... but launching in the narrow breezy tidal river can be 'interesting' (even at high tide). Uclulet Marina is generally packed during high season so call ahead for advice.
We just explored for 10 days - wandering in and out, sampling the quiet anchorages and popping out periodically into the open Pacific to look for seabirds, whales, and sea lions.
Kittiwake

[Bill McClure]

Hi Kittiwake,

It is a fabulous place, isn't ? I loaded my kayak on the Lady Rose out of Port Alberni http://www.ladyrosemarine.com/ back in the 90's for a couple of weeks exploring the Broken Islands. Went back about 10 years ago with a 15' West Wight Potter. Launched from Bamfield after a towing the Potter behind a Subaru for a couple of hours on the logging roads. The vibrations from the washboard sections of the road shook some of the equipment in the boat to pieces. Passable, but I wouldn't want to take an X or M down that road.

I'd like to go back, again. An X or M would make it practical to launch from Port Alberni and be in the Broken group that night. Amazing that such a remote and wild place is only a day's drive from Seattle.

Are there any photo's you'd like to post?

[Kittiwake]

.... It is a fabulous place, isn't ? I loaded my kayak on the Lady Rose out of Port Alberni http://www.ladyrosemarine.com/ back in the 90's for a couple of weeks exploring the Broken Islands. Went back about 10 years ago with a 15' West Wight Potter. Launched from Bamfield after a towing the Potter behind a Subaru for a couple of hours on the logging roads. The vibrations from the washboard sections of the road shook some of the equipment in the boat to pieces. Passable, but I wouldn't want to take an X or M down that road ....

Say Bill, that's a great web site!! The Lady Rose ferry has been retired, but we encountered its replacement (the equally historic-looking and quaint Fances Barley) at various places in and about the islands. It is still a favoured route of entry for kayakers to the Broken Group. I'm afraid the Admiral and I are not photographers; but I see that the web site you mention has fair photos of some aspects; and I think you will find that the place hasn't changed since you were there.
Kittiwake

[Bill McClure]

Glad you liked it. Here's one for another kayak/mothership trip I did back in the 80's. http://getwest.ca/. The Uchuck III (aka the "Upchuck") was just a freighter then. Got on at Gold River and off at Kyuquat. Paddled north through the Bunsby Islands to the Brooks Peninsula and back. It was even more remote than the Broken Islands.

I hadn't thought about launching from Ucluet. The road couldn't be worse than one to Bamfield. Thanks for the tip.

So many trips...so little time.

[Whipsyjac]

Road to Ucluelet is paved all the way, just some slow corners about an hour west of Port Alberni. For towing use an average speed of 30mph/50kph when estimating travel time from Port Alberni to Ucluelet or roughly double your usual time estimate for the distance. Its a spectacular drive though. Don't forget if you go to Ucluelet you can also launch and sail on Kennedy lake one of our largest tidal freshwater lakes.

Willy

[Phil M]

Is there a good launch at Ucluelet? And a place to store a tow vehicle/trailer while sailing?

[Whipsyjac]

Yes, there are very good facilities, campgrounds with marinas. Its a popular sport fishing spot.

Willy

[Kittiwake]

Is there a good launch at Ucluelet? And a place to store a tow vehicle/trailer while sailing?

Steve Bird (250-two six six -0345)(ukeedock at gmail dot com) is Harbour Manager and is usually at the popular-but-often-full Boat Basin Marina next door to which there is a campground with launch ramp. Off season Steve can sometimes handle trailer storage. It may be easier to leave the trailer at the campground.

There is a Government Wharf a few blocks further east which is conveniently located near information (Whiskey Landing 250- seven two six-4641) and shops etc. and (I think) has a launch ramp.

As mentioned above, the road in is fully paved and well-travelled. Ucluelet is a sizeable community now.
Kittiwake

[Catigale]

Kittiwake can you check the phone numbers above (edited to conform to Forum rules)... I had a call come in in the middle of editing and had to rely on memory on the first one.....

[Kittiwake]

Kittiwake can you check the phone numbers above (edited to conform to Forum rules)... I had a call come in in the middle of editing and had to rely on memory on the first one.....

Sorry Catigale: Kittiwake and I have been away and I lost track of this thread.
The phone number for the Boat Basin marina in Ucluelet is correct. The only number I can find specific to the Government Wharf now is 250-266-eight-zero-zero-zero.
(250) 726-four six four one is the number for Ucluelet Information Centre ... which I think is essentially at the Government Wharf.
Kittiwake