: Well, you'll certainly get a lot of gawkers with that boat. Good luck on your
: expeditions. How far up the coast from Vancouver can you get in a week or
: two? I've done some chartering in the area and am just curious. We all
: need to know about good paddling spots.

: --S
Well, with a car and a ferry or two, quite a ways! Haven't ever started a multi week trip in Vancouver, always launched from a spot up (or down) the coast. By far my favourite place is Johnstone Straight in shoulder season. You're virtually guaranteed to see orca and on most occasions I have had pods swim right by me and one a couple of occasions right under me! I always try to get out of their way but I have come to think that they are genuinely curious.

Another favourite trip is taking the ferry from Port Hardy (northern Vancouver Island) toward Bella Coola and doing a wet launch. They stop the ferry and drop you at a place that you have had pre-authorized by the captain. A wonderful way to start in the middle of "nowhere".

Planning to barge the new boat up to Sitka this summer (or next depending on renos to my new place) and paddle Sitka to Hoonah which is supposed to be magical.