Port Harvey

Port Harvey Marina was one of our favourite stops along the way north. The first year we ventured north to The Broughtons we met George and Gail and stayed at Port Harvey Marina. We had only been as far north as Shoal Bay the previous year.

We spent a night at Shoal Bay then the next morning we headed to Forward Harbour to spend the night. We arrived about 2 pm and dropped the anchor. It was a very windy day and after a little relax we had to take the skiff down off the boat deck so we could take Jenny to shore. One of the winches failed and we were not able to lower the skiff into the water. Which was a big problem for Jenny. And of course a big problem for us !

We decided to pull up anchor and head to the first dock we could. We would be able to take Jenny to shore and then figure out where and how we would get the winch repaired or replaced.

Port Harvey was the next stop. It would be another 4 hours or so before we would arrive. Once we got enough cell service in Johnstone Straight we called and George answered the phone. On explaining our situation he said they were quite full but come on in. They could move a couple of boats around and make room for us.

We didn’t arrive until after 7 pm. It was a really tight spot for us to dock. I think it was where George usually docks his boat. There were a number of people there that helped with docking.

We didn’t even think about it at the time but realized when we arrived that it was Canada Day. The dock was full of boats. There was a big party going on!! Games and food! George had cooked up a big batch of chilli – and told us how sorry he was there wasn’t any chilli left for us. That’s the kind of guy George was. Then when it got dark there were fireworks for Canada Day. Quite the end to the day!

After that every year we went north we’d go to Port Harvey going up and coming back down. George had a little restaurant of sorts and made pizza and ribs and cinnamon buns. If we had cell we’d phone in our pizza order before we arrived. Or as soon as we’d get to the dock George would help tie up and give out slips of paper to write out your pizza order. We’d often stay a few days. A perfect spot to wait out the winds in Johnstone Straight.

And the cinnamon buns! George would be up at the crack of dawn so the cinnamon buns were ready by 8 AM so we could all head on our way with his great big fresh and delicious cinnamon buns. We never left with a couple!

In April of 2018 Jim and Michael were out on a fishing trip and they stopped into Port Harvey. Jim said George has just finished getting the new pizza oven installed and he was very pleased with himself.

In August of 2018 our last stop at Port Harvey was the day after George died. It was just such a shock to hear the news. George’s wife Gail was there. Shortly after she left Port Harvey and put the Marina up for sale. We never went north in 2019.

We heard the Marina sold in Early 2020. We decided to stop in and check it out on our way to Maltipi.

There were a lot of boaters that loved Port Harvey and spent a lot more time there than we did. George started the Port Harvey Yacht Club. The latest time we saw George we were going to join but they were all out of their burgees so we said – next year! And next year never came.