Trailering in to Winter Harbour.

[Knot Working]

I think I've read most of the posts about this subject and there's seems to be mixed reviews on what to do. I have towed in to Tuta Marina in Gold River for years. This will be our first time going to Winter Harbour. Guess my question is has anyone towed in to Tuta Marina and Winter Harbour and are able give an opinion on road comparison between the two.

 

[TipUp]

What size of boat do you have? The road is quite rough typically especially past Holberg. I wouldn't recommend towing unless you absolutely have to. It's a much smoother ride down the inlet

 

[Hardy Guy]

The road to holberg right now is great. Past holberg it's mostly good but some really rough soft spots where the fay boys are hauling just before WH.

 

[Samnjoe]

I've driven to both.
I prefer to run the water to both. But I stay on the boat so I don't need a vehicle. I would not tow my boat into either.

 

[terrin]

I've driven to both.
I prefer to run the water to both. But I stay on the boat so I don't need a vehicle. I would not tow my boat into either.

Where do you run from?

 

[Hardy Guy]

Ypu either run from CH or PA .... no other choice.

 

[Samnjoe]

Where do you run from?

Coal harbor to Winter Harbor. Gold river to Tuta.

 

[Knot Working]

What size of boat do you have? The road is quite rough typically especially past Holberg. I wouldn't recommend towing unless you absolutely have to. It's a much smoother ride down the inlet

We have a 2052 Trophy Pro on a tandem axle trailer.

 

[SpringFever2359]

Ypu either run from CH or PA .... no other choice.

I liked Coal Harbour,.Joe's crew is very accommodating ,even camped there out back on grassy area when chasing coho in late sept

 

[SpringFever2359]

We have a 2052 Trophy Pro on a tandem axle trailer.

If you have accommodation in WH just run the inlet with boat, meet your crew in wh if you want to have a vehicle there?
The inlet is a beautiful run

 

[Macdeep]

Agreed - I fish WH a few times a year and would never consider driving to WH.

I drove 90% of the way to WH last week for work, and the road isnt the best it's been, but it's not the worst. Lots of washboard between hardy and the nahwitti junction, WFPs road from there to Holberg is in decent shape, D&D road is good as usual, S700 connector from the D&D road to South main has some really bad pothole sections. Beyond that, there's sporadic hauling from a bock just beyond WH, so keep your head up.

As far as putting in, 99% of the time I launch from Port Alice, I just prefer the launch and parking arrangement. I find that the Coal Harbour launch angle really shallow, and it can be a total gong show. If a sea plane is coming in and more than 1 boat is coming in or out, it can lead to long delays, but the drive is easier to Coal than it is to Alice.

The run time from either launch is basically the same to WH.

 

[Samnjoe]

We have a 2052 Trophy Pro on a tandem axle trailer.

If you need your vehicle you should be fine with a 20 foot boat. Just take your time. Lots of people do it. Might need a wash when you get there depending on dust or mud. The launch is rough but fine for a boat that size.

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

Heads up the logging company is running logging truck from the winter harbour/grants intersection to the switch back. There are not many pull outs big enough to hold a truck and trailer. The loggers have right of way so you might get into a bad situation. I would never tow the boat in here, a lone the dust from the road would be enough, but take into account the less than optimal boat ramp and rough road, coal harbour is a better choice

 

[terrin]

I've driven to both.
I prefer to run the water to both. But I stay on the boat so I don't need a vehicle. I would not tow my boat into either.

Where do you tie up while staying on the boat or do you drop the hook?

 

[Samnjoe]

Winter harbor marina

 

[trophy fisher]

We had to unfortunately tow out from Winter Harbour last as our outdrive failed on our last day. Managed to get a boat ride to Coal Harbour to pick up the truck and trailer and drive in. Was a rough tow out from WH especially up to Holburg and the last section near PH. Ended up blowing a tire shortly after we got on the highway. Won’t ever tow in.

 

[submerged]

We towed our 17’ whaler to the Outpost a few years ago and it was ok. Just super muddy, even the hatches had dirt in them. Otherwise about the same as Tuta, which we’ve done many times. Tight quarters for launching though.

That being said, we’re going back to the Outpost in August and now that we have a larger boat I’m thinking we’ll launch at Port Alice. Still want the truck though, so we’ll split up I guess. I spoke with the Port Alice Marina today, and heard they have expanded their parking area, and have security cameras.

 

[Hardy Guy]

Heads up the logging company is running logging truck from the winter harbour/grants intersection to the switch back. There are not many pull outs big enough to hold a truck and trailer. The loggers have right of way so you might get into a bad situation. I would never tow the boat in here, a lone the dust from the road would be enough, but take into account the less than optimal boat ramp and rough road, coal harbour is a better choice

Yes there are some very rough sections near WH and they are hauling with off road trucks (extra wide for you city boys ).... watch out. . .... my buddy does not like or want to pull over ...... nor should he

 

[Drewski Canuck]

I think any comparison of Cougar Creek to Tuta with any other logging road in the Winter Harbour area is misleading.

The road into Tuta will not be actively maintained in the summer where the Winter Harbour area will have a grader run the road at least once in a while to knock down ruts and washboard. But there are few experiences like coming around a tight corner to face a big Pacific Off Road fully loaded in the middle of the road with no pull out!!

Drewski