Port Renfrew Marina Report May 3/17

  At Port Renfrew Marina the season seems to be off to a good start. Crabbing has been very good as it usually is this time of year. Again, hard and sweet and healthy sizes. Got to love crabbing time, there isn't much like it! Halibut fishing is good also but you have to know your weather and seas as it can still be windy and rough out there. Salmon fishing is also good but they are still on the smaller size but great tasting. Lets hope that this year's fishing stays good and just gets better!

At Port Renfrew Marina the electrical work continues. We are trying hard to get it completed but the weather has not cooperated. We are working every day all day to get the lines in and the grounds back to normal. We first thought it would be done around opening dates but that got bumped to mid May. At this time we are hoping that timeline will work but it may take longer. If you are planning on coming out to set up your camp and get settled in you may want to call the marina first to check on how things are in case there are trenches near your site or other work being done there. Please take note, there is NO POWER for hook up at this time. All power has been turned off while the work is being done. If you do come out before power is restored make sure you bring only foodstuffs that can be consumed while you are there unless you have your fridge set to propane. If you went o the marina's site and found it down, it was due to a domain transfer and should be fine now.

Also at this time the docks are being put back and repair work is underway. We would like to thank Odd Johansen, Dave Mills and TJ Watt for helping put out the docks.

Right now, the marina's ATM is not working. We are awaiting a part for it. The winters seem to affect even electronics that are indoors and kept dry, etc. We should have it up and running by this coming Sat. So please be aware if you are coming before that you should have cash on hand as we are still a cash only business.

A reminder: If you are a seasonal customer at Port Renfrew Marina it is time for you (unless you have already) to contact us regarding your return. We have people who are enquiring about sites and we need to know who is keeping their spots and who may not. Please take a minute to call the marina and update us as to your decisions. Please have a look at the rates page as some things have changed.

Port Renfrew Marina would like to welcome our new caretaker, Reid Warren. He has been a huge help with the excavator work needed there and is doing so much to get the marina looking clean and organized for the coming season. Also, Knut is back for the new season as you all know him.

For Port Renfrew Marina the first derby planned so far is the Kinsmen Salmon Derby. It is scheduled for July 29th and 30th.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report April 23/17

Port Renfrew Marina will be opening this coming weekend for the 2017 season. The office will be open Sat. April 29th and will be open every day until closing in October. To all early season guests for the 2017 season:  As many of you already know, we are in the process of upgrading our electrical distribution system at the marina. The underground construction process is taking more time than expected, in large part due to the terrible wet weather we have had. The electrical is all underground and the trenches have been like small rivers so we have had to work when the weather has permitted it. This will delay getting power supply to your campsite. If you are planning on setting up in the next two weeks please be aware that there will likely be no power available and to plan accordingly. Do not bring perishable foods that you aren't prepared to consume before you leave or have a fridge set on propane. We are estimating that electricity will not be available for most serviced sites until mid May. Also when you arrive with your unit please make sure you come to the office so we can advise you as to if your spot can be driven over, some people will likely have to park in the storage area if their spots are still under electrical construction. Best to call us ahead of time and we can update you. The number is 250 483-1878 and it will be active.

We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to seeing you soon.

On the up side we now have water available at certain spots around the campground in standing pipes and our hope is that getting water will be a much easier job now.

Recently Port Renfrew Marina's domain was about to expire and in the process of moving it to a different company there is a transfer that has to be done and there is a small chance that the site may go down for a day or two. We are hoping this won't happen but if it does just know that it is temporary and we will be back up shortly.

As mentioned in the last report we now have a new caretaker, Reid Warren, who, pretty much all of you have met. He is in the modular to the right of the office. He is there daily but may be driving the excavator so if you call, leave a message and he can get back to you. His number is 250 483-1486. At this time we ask that anyone who has been seasonal please contact us as to your status on your return for this coming season.

We at Port Renfrew Marina all look forward to seeing all our old and new customers for this season and lets hope it's a great one for fishing!

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report Apr.10/17

Well another season at Port Renfrew Marina is only three weeks away from starting. This year we will be open on the weekend of April 29th. Bud, Tedi, Rex, Diane, Knut and Reid welcome you all back and look forward to seeing both old and new customers and friends for this 2017 season.  As most of you are aware last year the focus was to get a new water system in place. That has been done and there may be even more improvements on it before we open. When you arrive you will notice standing pipes in different areas of the marina so there will be no need to fill up at the old water truck. We also have a fire hydrant for any kind of fire emergency. This year we have been busy upgrading our entire electrical system which was in dire need of doing. When you arrive this year please check in at the office if you are one of our customers who uses power, the system is different now. Redoing the electrical system is a huge job to get done in a very short period of time before we open this spring. Luckily we have Reid Warren (who seems to be a machine himself!) on the machines all day every day working to get this done before we open but if not please be patient! We are going as fast as we can. As each upgrade and repair is done we will be moving on to other much needed areas of work.

A heads up on a few other changes also. First, we recommend you check our website out on the rates page and check out some minor rate increases for the 2017 season to see if they apply to you. This is the first rate increase in four years.

Also we are pleased to announce we have a new caretaker for the marina. It is Reid Warren of RAW Charters. He will be in the modular and he is the person you need to contact if you are needing to come out to check on things while we are closed. The gate as usual is kept locked during that time and he will need to be contacted to make sure the gate is open for you. The phone number to reach him is the same as before 250 483-1486.

So far we have not  heard much in the way of the forecast for fishing this year and from previous years we have found often they aren't extremely reliable, so time will tell soon. At least your stay at the marina should be more comfortable this year. Reports through the grapevine say crabbing is good already so it should prove to be a good year hopefully.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report Jan.4/17

2017 marks the 20th season we have been operating Port Renfrew Marina.

 During that period, which began with us leasing the site from TimberWest, we jointly purchased the property with the Pacheedaht First Nation, and as of January 2016 we secured 100 percent ownership of the site.

Changes and upgrades to our facility have taken place over the years. These changes have been made with a careful eye on keeping the rates affordable, thereby allowing working class people to continue enjoying the recreation or even passion for fishing and camping we all have.

Our new piped water system is now operational and while that water is not piped to the individual campsites, there are several hose bib locations for water fill up. We even have a fire hydrant!

Changes have also been made to our communication system at the Marina. We now finally have a fixed "land line" for telephone and Internet. This replaces the wireless system we have used in the past which has often been inconsistent and inoperable during BC Hydro outages. By upgrading here our hope is to provide our guests with better access to these services.

Over the years, the marine environment at the campground has reeked havoc with our electrical power distribution system. 2017 will see a major rebuilding of the power distribution system.

 The Port Renfrew Marina "family of guests", many of which fished and camped here prior to our first year of operation in 1998, continue to return each year. There is a real community of friends here with most of the Seasonal guests securing the campsites and moorage slips they had the previous year. We want to extend a secure thank you to all our Seasonal and Monthly guests along with the many weekender and daily guests for their continued support of our facility. As you all know, there is a real sense of camaraderie here making it an enjoyable experience both on and off the water.

 On behalf of Port Renfrew Marina, we wish you all a very Happy New Year, and look forward to seeing you all when we re open in May.

Bud & Rex

Port Renfrew Marina Report October 18/16

For Port Renfrew Marina our 2016 season is now finished. We are now officially closed until May 1st 2017. Shortly after our fantastic Cho derby mother nature put a definite and abrupt end to the season. Epic early October rains have not let up since then. It's too bad as it was going to be the best Coho fishing in a dozen years. Well, this makes lots of fish for the river systems. At the marina we still have some units left that need to be clarified as to whether they are to be stored or pickup. Any left will incur storage costs. If you suspect you may have any costs still unpaid please contact us so we can get things all accounted for. We want to send out thanks to Todd Garrett for staying on at the marina after closing (and in the bad weather with no power) until our caretaker, Desi Hatchard, is home from his hospital stay and is well enough to handle things.

Please take note that now that the marina is closed the gate is locked and access can only be done through the caretaker. The storm on the past weekend did some damage to the area, besides many trees in the area but not in where the units are, caused tarps, costco tent covers and misc things left at sites to get torn or blown around. We have tried to contact the people who we knew needed to come get things but you can call and make arrangements to come out and see your place or just park outside the gate and walk in to see. Please note that power was off for about a day and a half. The number to call for Desi is 250 483-1486 the office phone is no longer active.

We at Port Renfrew Marina want to thank all our customers both new and long standing a healthy, happy and safe winter and look forward to seeing everyone again in the new season. Lets all hope for a better year of fishing!

Bud & Rex