I keep meaning to explore those lakes you mentioned but so far haven't gotten around to it. The Skookumchuck rapids are an intriguing spot en-route to Powell River, too --- if I went there I'd probably stop for a look, if not a paddle.
I'm sure you know this already, but I found a very simple way to avoid the winds and waves on the larger lakes --- do my hours of paddling as soon as it gets light and before the daily adiabatic, thermal-driven winds start up. Unless there's a front moving through, it's almost always dead calm at first light, and I've found I can bank on there being a few hours of morning calm with as much certainty as I can count on the afternoons being windy.
I know what you mean about parks. I was going to paddle to Cape Scott but by the time I got to Cape Sutil I realized they'd turned the whole north end of Van Isle into a park and there'd be guys showing up wanting money every night and it just totally ruins any wilderness ambience when that happens. As a rule, if its a park, I don't paddle it.
Well good luck and wherever you end up going, take lots of photos - I'm looking forward to the trip report!