FYI - New Free Public Boat Ramp Ucluelet

uclueletcharters said:
Maybe salmon beach but I'm not sure as far as parking or a dock they do have a ramp and it does seem strata oriented as far as use there is an onsite year round care taker you could try contacting him and see if Salmon Beach is a possibility.
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Not going to happen. We have already been talking about it a lot lately. Salmon Beach is NOT strata by the way. I own my dirt. The lots are free hold. We are at capacity already with the owners that have boats. Very limited parking etc. We have to deal within our own community for when other owners will have boats in the future etc. There are extra liabilities etc. involved as well. If we had the parking space I'm sure we would entertain it to help offset our taxes lol. Just not going to happen now. Our launch is not public so no need to contact our care taker thank you.

Cheers,
John
 
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Hi John,

Sorry I didn't mean to rub you the wrong way by saying strata oriented I guess better wording would have been recreational lots. It's a great place we have enjoyed our time visiting Salmon Beach. Send them to Ukee were glad to have them all apparently Ukee's neighborly not like our Salmon Beach bother LOL!
 
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Great news. Thanks for the info ucluletcharters. In the past I have used Island West and it certainly left a lot to be desired not to mention with my boat it was definitely a 2 person launch. With a floating finger I may be able to launch with just myself. As for the Ucluelet Campground launch a gravel road into the water while it may have been doable really did not appeal to me. Can't wait to use it this summer.

h.e.h.
 
Fishing Guide said:
Chees All...I am curious on how Ucluelet Campground will handle this as I have been approached several times by a gentleman who claims he represents the campground and that they 'own' all the land down there and that I must pay to be anywhere on 'their property'. Seems to me that the Municipality has to address the parking issue if they wish to entice the public to come play in their backyard...but it is certainly a great step in the correct direction.... :)
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The campground owns the property adjacent to the end of Seaplane Base Road but the road right-of way is public and there's always been a public launch at the end of Seaplane Base road. For the last few years there have been barriers in front of the old concrete launch so it's been a kayak launch only. When we've launched our kayaks there over the past few seasons there's been ample parking along the side of Seaplane Base Road on the side opposite the campground. The campground has had their private area to the right of the road defined by security fencing the last two years, which is why I speculated above that they may offer the area as a paid, secure parking lot. Obviously along the road won't have enough room for multiple rigs and trailers, which is why Ucluelet Charters suggested the parking lot up by the Seaplane Base rec building is the most likely viable option for public parking - its just a short walk away.

Sounds like it's more than just removing the barriers and allowing access to the old concrete by the pilings and that there's a completely new, properly graded launch with possibly a future dock. Can't wait to use it this June!!

Ukee
 
Cheers All...just off the phone with the Administrative Officer for the Municipality of Ucluelet with regards to the new launching ramp at the seaplane base. The first ramp is in, the pilings are there but that's where it gets murky. A private offering to provide and construct the float has fallen through and the Municipality is scrambling to see if there is any appetite for another 'free' offering but, according to CEO, they are also looking at going it themselves. They are beginning to understand the significance of this ramp by the volume of calls they are receiving.

The parking is still an issue and, apparently, so is the angle of the ramp. They are planning two ramps, one for smaller and one for larger vessels. The smaller one was constructed first and I am told it follows the original contour of the shore. Several instances have been told that vehicles have to submerge their axles (including brakes) to fully launch and, not having seen the new ramp, I would be disappointed if that were the case.

The Municipality is aware of the issue and seem to be working on it and, for all concerned, I hope it is successfully resolved in a timely fashion as the current private ramp is a very weak fallback option. I would be very interested to hear from someone who has a 20' plus vessel who has launched there - not simply at high high tide - to hear their perspective of the angle of the ramp.
 
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Cheers All...and, in regards to the second (larger) ramp ... there should be no obstacle for pursuing it other than funds as DFO and CEAA are out of the picture:

Creation and installation of new boat ramp in Ucluelet Inlet Ucluelet
Ucluelet Inlet (BC)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Final Decision


Reference Numbers

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 12-01-67192
Fisheries and Oceans Canada: 11‑HPAC‑PA3‑00781


Environmental Assessment Type

Screening

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Fisheries and Oceans Canada


Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On March 29, 2012, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because Fisheries and Oceans Canada considered taking action in relation to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

The District of Ucluelet intends to construct and operate a boat launch at the foot of Sea Plane Base Road, Ucluelet Harbour, Ucluelet, BC

Construction of a boat launch at the end of Sea Plane Base Road in Ucluelet BC, will negatively affect approximately 359 square metres of intertidal fish habitat and approximately 134 square metres of subtidal fish habitat. The installation of the concrete boat ramp will cover the unconsolidated seabed at the project site.

Final Decision

On July 6, 2012, the new Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 came into force which replaced the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. As a result, there is no longer a requirement to complete the environmental assessment of this project.
 
Final Decision

On July 6, 2012, the new Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 came into force which replaced the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. As a result, there is no longer a requirement to complete the environmental assessment of this project.
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Oh Boy....:eek:
Best get some free advice from DFO on the construction.
Caution should be the order of the day.
If they build it .... make it fish friendly.
You only get one shot at this so make it right.
 
The Municipality is aware of the issue and seem to be working on it and, for all concerned, I hope it is successfully resolved in a timely fashion as the current private ramp is a very weak fallback option. I would be very interested to hear from someone who has a 20' plus vessel who has launched there - not simply at high high tide - to hear their perspective of the angle of the ramp.[/QUOTE]

I would have no problem launching my 24 on the new ramp. With out a finger I myself would climb inside have a buddy back it in the flash it up and back it off the trailer. To be honest the ramp is much steeper than the campgrounds gravel one that's beside. I will see if I can swing in for some pictures so everyone can make there own judgement and post them tonight.
 
uclueletcharters said:
The Municipality is aware of the issue and seem to be working on it and, for all concerned, I hope it is successfully resolved in a timely fashion as the current private ramp is a very weak fallback option. I would be very interested to hear from someone who has a 20' plus vessel who has launched there - not simply at high high tide - to hear their perspective of the angle of the ramp.
Click to expand...

I would have no problem launching my 24 on the new ramp. With out a finger I myself would climb inside have a buddy back it in the flash it up and back it off the trailer. To be honest the ramp is much steeper than the campgrounds gravel one that's beside. I will see if I can swing in for some pictures so everyone can make there own judgement and post them tonight.[/QUOTE]


Hi ucluletcharters if you can manage it with your Searay I think I would be able to do the same with my 25' Pursuit however a floating finger would sure be nice for single person launch and pullout. Looking forward to the pictures

h.e.h.
 
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Pictures in the last photo are of the upper parking lot and the old sea plane base that's approx 100 - 150 yards away. In one of the pictures you can see a building in the distance with a green roof that's where the parking lot is. photo (20).jpgphoto (18).jpgphoto (19).jpgphoto (17).jpgphoto (16).jpgphoto (14).jpg
 
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Uclueletcharters,

Thanks for posting the pictures. It looks good. If they put a wharf on the pilings in the future even better.

Thanks again,
John
 
Looks awesome! Maybe not perfect but far, far better than the cobble beach next door on the campgrounds property or the broken up P.O.S. at Islands West!!

Ukee
 
What was the tide at when the photo was taken?

If its awhile before a wharf is put in, how will the bigger glass boats with a decent freeboard, pick up the fishing buddy who backed the trailer in get on board?
 
In the short term, your best option would be to throw in at the new launch and pick your crew up at any of the public docks, either in the boat basin or at the Whiskey Dock. Whisky dock downtown is a bit of a hike so only an option if they can drive but it's really not that far of a walk from Seaplane Base Road to the public docks in the Boat Basin, sure it's no issue to quickly pull in to an empty spot to have ur crew hop on. I know a bit of a pain but better than the current situation.

Ukee
 
I launched there friday and saturday last week, tide was 2 feet, and there was 6 or so feet of seabottom after the ramp ended. It was fine for my boat but I can launch off a beach, the bigger boats might want to wait for more water.

Parking was tricky, I was the only truck and trailer when I launched, then when I returned there were 2 more trucks with trailers and they had blocked me in. wtf...
 
uclueletcharters said:
There's always better no doubt no matter what it is but I feel lucky we have a free ramp to use and there are more improvements to come but it will take time.
Click to expand...
I agree and I look forward to coming to Ucluelet and using the ramp and leaving probably a thousand dollars when I am there. Thumbs up on a smart move by the town.
 
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