This small modular cabin was built in a North Vancouver factory and delivered to a remote hilltop property on Saturna Island, in BC’s Southern Gulf Islands. It went by truck and ferry, then up a single-track gravel road that heavy rain had turned to mud. It now sits on a steep embankment looking south over Boundary Pass toward the San Juan Islands.
The cabin started life as a trade-show display unit. On the island it gives the owners a place to stay overnight while they plan a larger cabin on the property, and later it becomes a guest bunkie.
Before it left the factory
The cabin was built on its own trailer frame, so it could be towed straight onto the ferry. It has a covered front porch, cedar and grey panel siding, a wall of sliding glass doors and a row of clerestory windows under the roof overhang.
Crossing to Saturna Island
Saturna is the most easterly of the Gulf Islands, between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. The ferry lands at Lyall Harbour. From there the cabin was towed across the island to the property.
A narrow road and a lot of rain
The job looked simple: take the cabin from the factory to the property. But rain the night before turned the single-track gravel road into mud, and the tow truck lost traction on the climb through the forest.
Backing it into place
A vintage four-by-four that was already on the property, plus a length of rope, made a second tow line. It took close to an hour of backing and turning to land the cabin where the owners wanted it, at the top of the embankment.
In its final spot
The cabin faces south, with its sliding doors opening to the view over Boundary Pass. The property is a large, open hilltop with mossy forest and grassy meadows.
The property
| Location | Saturna Island (Southern Gulf Islands), BC |
|---|---|
| Type | Small modular cabin built on a trailer frame |
| Built | North Vancouver factory (former trade-show display unit) |
| Siding | Cedar front, grey panel siding and a corrugated steel end |
| Doors | Triple sliding glass doors, plus a glass side door off the porch |
| Windows | Clerestory windows under the roof overhang |
| Porch | Covered front porch with cedar posts |
| Delivery | Truck and ferry, then towed up a single-track gravel road |
| Use | Overnight stays on site, then a guest bunkie |
Delivering a cabin to a Gulf Island property
A remote island site can be a big job, even for a small building. These are the things worth checking before delivery day.
- Walk the road first. Check the width, the grade, the tight turns and any low branches. Think about what rain will do to the surface.
- Book the ferry early. Check that the trailer’s length, width and weight fit the ferry’s limits for oversize vehicles.
- Plan for a soft road. Bring a second vehicle, a tow strap or rope and a winch in case the tow truck loses traction.
- Pick the final spot. The ground should be firm, fairly level and wide enough for the trailer to swing in.
- Watch the weather. Aim for a dry stretch and keep a backup day free.
- Check local rules. Gulf Island properties are covered by the Islands Trust, so check zoning and permit rules before you place a building.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Saturna Island?
It is in the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia, about halfway between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. It is the most easterly of the Gulf Islands, and about half of it is in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
How do you get a cabin to Saturna Island?
This one was towed on its own trailer frame, taken across on the ferry to Lyall Harbour and then towed by road to the property.
Why build a cabin on a trailer frame?
A trailer frame lets a finished building be moved in one piece, with no crane needed at the site. That helps on islands and rural lots where access is tight.
What went wrong on delivery day?
Heavy rain the night before turned the gravel road to mud and the tow truck lost traction. A second vehicle and a rope tow line got the cabin up the hill.
Can a small cabin be used while a bigger one is built?
Yes. A small cabin gives you a dry place to stay on site during planning and building, and can be kept afterwards as a guest bunkie or studio. Check local zoning first, since some areas limit how a second building can be used.
More cabins to explore
See more cabins, browse custom backyard buildings in BC, look at the backyard outbuildings, or read the Shed Rules by City.