Help set me up for boat camping success

Jedidiah is now on the list Brando, thanks. I’m going to need more vacay time.

One can boat right into chatterbox falls? It looks very interesting…is there fish to be caught up in there or more just crustaceans and a sightseeing expedition? We had a trip to the Sunshine Coast on the books for this past summer but work got in the way, may need to reignite that one.
Some good spots to fish on the way up Jervis in spring. Probably fish up at the top never tried, some RCA's to watch out for. I wouldn't go up there for the fishing exclusively or during the summer as it gets super busy. But in spring and fall its a ghost town. Just got back from a winter trip up there it was stunning minus the fish farm on the way up. 20221229_110433.jpg20221229_105631.jpg
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If your going to anchor and have to buy one, then just get an original rocna- a good amount of chain and you will never drag ever. Don't even bother going with anything else unless it looks like a rocna. trust me on this one. If you already own a delta they are pretty good to. Run away from most other designs unless you want to waste a bunch of time trying to anchor. I've got some free bruce anchors LOL
 
If your going to anchor and have to buy one, then just get an original rocna- a good amount of chain and you will never drag ever. Don't even bother going with anything else unless it looks like a rocna. trust me on this one. If you already own a delta they are pretty good to. Run away from most other designs unless you want to waste a bunch of time trying to anchor. I've got some free bruce anchors LOL
You are scuttling the resale of my 3 bruce anchors, I better not get a minn kota because I have a lifetime supply of halibut anchors now.
 
This is the campsite at chatterbox! the flies can be nasty in the summer those photos are from June good time to go after a few days of rain and then clearing all the waterfalls are running feels like a scene out of Jurassic park almost don’t believe it’s real it’s stunning.
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Mittlenatch island bird sanctuary is another great stop over
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Cassel falls in desolation sound
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I’ll stop now :) but you get the idea lots of area to checkout always fish around nothing wrong with trolling from one spot to another and enjoying the sunshine.
 
If your going to anchor and have to buy one, then just get an original rocna- a good amount of chain and you will never drag ever. Don't even bother going with anything else unless it looks like a rocna. trust me on this one. If you already own a delta they are pretty good to. Run away from most other designs unless you want to waste a bunch of time trying to anchor. I've got some free bruce anchors LOL
Yes I do need to buy and anchor. Thanks for the recommendation, would rather do it right the first time. Such a pain when an anchor won’t hold. Has anyone used the fisherman model which has a shackle rail or best to stick with original?
 
Excellent pics, can it be summer yet!?

Whats your thoughts on my boat top- currently it is only the top and front plastic to windshield. Is it worth adding side curtains to keep precip out? Not really functional for anything aside from when it’s pouring out or there is a crazy side wind. If I end up bringing 3rd man and we are sleeping on the boat, they may get the floor outside the cuddy and risk of some moisture haha.

Not sure if Wondermur is watching this thread, if so do you have a back curtain or was the guy on the sleeper seat exposed to bugs etc? I really enjoyed your video from the summer btw.
 

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Excellent pics, can it be summer yet!?

Whats your thoughts on my boat top- currently it is only the top and front plastic to windshield. Is it worth adding side curtains to keep precip out? Not really functional for anything aside from when it’s pouring out or there is a crazy side wind. If I end up bringing 3rd man and we are sleeping on the boat, they may get the floor outside the cuddy and risk of some moisture haha.

Not sure if Wondermur is watching this thread, if so do you have a back curtain or was the guy on the sleeper seat exposed to bugs etc? I really enjoyed your video from the summer btw.
It is nice to be able to button the boat up and run the heater and try to dry out/warm up. I’d inquire about getting something made up to cover the deck. Otherwise you’re only fair weather camping. I’m sure you could jerry rig something up but I’m all for doing it once and doing it right.
 
Excellent pics, can it be summer yet!?

Whats your thoughts on my boat top- currently it is only the top and front plastic to windshield. Is it worth adding side curtains to keep precip out? Not really functional for anything aside from when it’s pouring out or there is a crazy side wind. If I end up bringing 3rd man and we are sleeping on the boat, they may get the floor outside the cuddy and risk of some moisture haha.

Not sure if Wondermur is watching this thread, if so do you have a back curtain or was the guy on the sleeper seat exposed to bugs etc? I really enjoyed your video from the summer btw.
I made a full stand up cover with a tarp and old tent poles. Took a bit of engineering but easy to setup now. Bonus is the bbq warms it up as well.
 

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Jedidiah is now on the list Brando, thanks. I’m going to need more vacay time.

One can boat right into chatterbox falls? It looks very interesting…is there fish to be caught up in there or more just crustaceans and a sightseeing expedition? We had a trip to the Sunshine Coast on the books for this past summer but work got in the way, may need to reignite that one.
Some good spots to fish on the way up Jervis in spring. Probably fish up at the top never tried, some RCA's to watch out for. I wouldn't go up there for the fishing exclusively or during the summer as it gets super busy. But in spring and fall its a ghost town. Just got back from a winter trip up there it was stunning minus the fish farm on the way up. View attachment 88419View attachment 88418
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We boat camp up Princess Louisa in our 17 Hourston, which means we are camping ashore. The site at the falls is great and was perfect when the kids were little, but we prefer to be away from the roar of the falls (and the people) and so set up on a bluff halfway down the inlet. I anchor off the stern and use a home made anchor buddy system to pull the boat into shore to board, and otherwise hold off when at anchor.

The little Hourston is loaded to the gunnels with our gear for a three or four day trip (family of four) and we pack extra fuel because we waterski a lot - it’s the best water-skiing place in the world.

I think I’ve posted some pics before but thought I’d share again.
 

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We boat camp up Princess Louisa in our 17 Hourston, which means we are camping ashore. The site at the falls is great and was perfect when the kids were little, but we prefer to be away from the roar of the falls (and the people) and so set up on a bluff halfway down the inlet. I anchor off the stern and use a home made anchor buddy system to pull the boat into shore to board, and otherwise hold off when at anchor.

The little Hourston is loaded to the gunnels with our gear for a three or four day trip (family of four) and we pack extra fuel because we waterski a lot - it’s the best water-skiing place in the world.

I think I’ve posted some pics before but thought I’d share again.
God I love that place. Cruising never gets old. Even after you've been there and done that, you quickly want to go back and see it again.
 
It is nice to be able to button the boat up and run the heater and try to dry out/warm up. I’d inquire about getting something made up to cover the deck. Otherwise you’re only fair weather camping. I’m sure you could jerry rig something up but I’m all for doing it once and doing it right.
Yeah I think I'll get a price for some side curtains. Full top coverage currently but if the rain is anything other then vertical it will be coming in. I'll take some tips from Cpony for a back drop curtain as I would only use that when stationary and can easily use a couple small spring clamps...it would be vertical. No heater currently.
 
We boat camp up Princess Louisa in our 17 Hourston, which means we are camping ashore. The site at the falls is great and was perfect when the kids were little, but we prefer to be away from the roar of the falls (and the people) and so set up on a bluff halfway down the inlet. I anchor off the stern and use a home made anchor buddy system to pull the boat into shore to board, and otherwise hold off when at anchor.

The little Hourston is loaded to the gunnels with our gear for a three or four day trip (family of four) and we pack extra fuel because we waterski a lot - it’s the best water-skiing place in the world.

I think I’ve posted some pics before but thought I’d share again.
Super pics!! Will be an easy sell to the wife. Looks surprisingly dry there as well. How warm does the water get? like reasonable for swimming/snorkeling with the kiddos?
 
Yeah I think I'll get a price for some side curtains. Full top coverage currently but if the rain is anything other then vertical it will be coming in. I'll take some tips from Cpony for a back drop curtain as I would only use that when stationary and can easily use a couple small spring clamps...it would be vertical. No heater currently.
I picked up a little buddy heater. Works pretty well.
 
Okay, don't mean to take this post off the rails here but what do ya'll do with 'waste'? The boat doesn't have a head but does have a removable porta-potty (have never used it so not exactly sure how that works)... does one chuck that over the side in the open ocean or stop ashore and dig a pit? In the past for the kids we always had a little training pot and chucked, but not sure what is kosher, especially in the higher use areas...
 
I picked up a little buddy heater. Works pretty well.
Yeah nice, i do have one of those along with a 10lb tank...and a big buddy... (I try to get in my fair share of ice fishing, with camping out on the lake in my hub shelter being a fav).
 
I’m in the Rocna camp. Bruce anchors have their place but in my opinion, not in the Pacific Northwest because in my experience, they skip when you drop them around kelp.

I also use them to keep my house on its foundation during the big King tides we get in January. A Rocna shackled to a length of chain at least equal to the length of your garage = nice calm sleep, even while your furniture drifts away

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Super pics!! Will be an easy sell to the wife. Looks surprisingly dry there as well. How warm does the water get? like reasonable for swimming/snorkeling with the kiddos?
We usually go in July and the water is fabulous for swimming. Very warm, and with the heat in recent summers we’re pretty much in the water all day long.
 

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