Charter in Vancouver

[Rigger]

Thoughts turning to next year,and after a washed out 2 weeks in Scotland, a change of location.Has anyone any experience of bareboat charter in Vancouver/British Columbia? A few operators on the web but it seems none of the big firms operate there, is that for a reason?? Any advice/experience gratefully received.

 

[photodog]

Vancouver itself is not the best place to charter... as it is a bit removed from the major cruisng grounds of the gulf islands and Desolation sound..... but is the most fabulous city in the universe IMO.

The season is in reality quite short... it rains like a ******* out their.... so I suspect that the biggies couldnt make it work (Sunsail used to operate a base) ... recently there has been a lot of much better boats come available... look for the area you want to charter in then ensure that the base is well located to get there... Best time of year is July August... but dont expect much wind.

Gulf Islands are well worth a visit. as a alternative to Desolation sound.. Spend a few days in Vancouver before the sailing.. a great city... spend some time afterwards in Tofino as well for the most stupendous beach and whale watching in the world...

A good start could be fly into Calgary... get a motorhome and drive slowly across to Vancouver... then a couple of nights in the Hotel Vancouver or the Waterfront (both Fairmounts and excellent) charter a Beaver up to Comox and get a nice boat from these guys... http://www.desolationsoundyachtcharters.com/

If you have the time then do a couple of weeks on board and Princess Louisa inlet as well as Desolation Sound...

Then Tofino for Whale watching in a beach side cottage...

http://www.pacificsands.com/our_resort.php



Nanaimo is another good place to charter from... some cheaper/smaller boats available...

You might want to consider a big trawler style... very popular lots available for charter... Desolation sound guys have a nice Mainship 39.

We may be out there ourselves next August... so give us a wave.

This guy has done a nice series of videos of taking his Bav 34 up Desolation sound and Princess Louisa..





The whole area is fabulous for yachting... with extensive marine parks.

 

[Harpsden]

Vancouver Charter

I chartered from Vancouver in September last year. There are two main companies, Cooper Boating and Blue Pacific located within about 50m of each other on Granville Island. Copper seem to be the bigger company.

My first visit to the area on the water was to do a Cruise and Learn week and take the Canadian equivalent of day skipper. I wrote the trip up in this thread:-

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177386&page=2

The trip convinced me I wanted to return with the family and last September we did a weeks charter again from Granville Island adding some new destinations such as Brentwood Bay and a few days in Howe Sound calling in to Gibsons Landing and Snug Cove.

I'm a mobo driver so that was what we chartered but there were English people chartering a yacht for the same week. They were doing the same as photodog advises taking a slow drive to Calgary through the Rockies after a week's charter.

If you plan to visit the Gulf Islands timing is everthing for the passes as the tidal streams are very strong. Logs in the water are the other main hazard. The Canadian Charts are very good as well as the tidal heights and streams book. For details on destinations and pilotage the Dreamspeaker series of guides are fantastic. The charts and books will be on board the charter vessel but getting them in advance means that you can plan to make the most of the trip.

It's a great area to cruise and if you go slightly out of season (after labor day as we did) it's also very quiet.

Happy to provide more details if you want to send me a PM.

Hope that's a help.




Harpsden

 

[bbg]

I used to teach at Cooper on Granville Island (20 years ago). I'll echo photodog's comments that Vancouver is not the best place to start a charter from. The best cruising grounds are across the Straight of Georgia in the Gulf Islands. Nanaimo would be your best choice, if you can find something there. Otherwise you will have a full day passage in each direction.

If you are only going for a week, or even two, I wouldn't bother with going north to Desolation Sound. There is enough to see in the Gulf Islands to keep you busy for a week or two.

Be prepared for rain and mosquitoes. Some seasons the mosquitos are terrible, sometimes they are not bad at all.

Currents in the passes between the islands are v strong, and must be timed properly. Holding ground is generally good (unless you are in a former logging area with possible equipment on the seabed), with very protected anchorages, protected cruising grounds.

It is a great cruising ground, and not terribly difficult if you are used to navigating around the UK. Navigation is mostly eyeball in sheltered waters.

 

[BrianH]

Before going, read "Passage to Juneau: A Sea and Its Meanings" by Jonathan Raban - review here. It will give you some interesting insights into the history of the area as the author, departing from Seattle, interweaves his cruise account with Capn. Vancouver's in the 18th century. Apart from the relevant location, the prose is beautiful.

A lifetime (or two) ago I served in the RCAF at Comox, on Vancouver Island, and loved the area. Since then I've been kicking myself for not buying land there (for a song), overlooking the straights clear to the Rockies, like a service friend did.

 

[oldvarnish]

We did a Sunsail charter 7/8 years ago. Don't know if they still operate.
Agree with everyone else - Vancouver top class city, Gulf Islands interesting enough without Desolation Sound.
Go!