Chartering in British Columbia

[Sybarite]

I had a look at a BC charterer's site and apparently all they ask for is the CV of your sailing experience.

Just to be sure can anyone confirm that they don't ask for a formal sailing qualification?

Thanks.

 

[petedg]

Why not just drop them an email to confirm, you could even include your sailing experience CV. If you have nothing formal maybe they will assess your competence on a short trip.

 

[AndrewB]

I chartered with Island Cruising out of Sidney, BC, some years ago: a first class company. They did not require formal qualifications but did ask for a CV. However, my RYA qualification went down well. Even so, we did a very short trial trip so they could "show us how everything works" - my guess was to check we knew what we were doing. Beware that the insurance excess is set very high, and an underwater check will be done before returning the deposit: I believe these are common practices among charterers in BC.

It's a beautiful area to cruise, well worth the cost of getting there. Weather is reliably sunny and warm in summer but winds tend to be rather light and the sea is too cold to swim.

P.S. Since then I've sailed the entire BC coast from Vancouver to Alaska in my own yacht. The most beautiful spot anywhere on that coast, though you would need a 2-week charter to reach it, is Princess Louisa inlet about half-way up to Desolation Sound.

P.P.S. We did not need a full tourist visa to visit the US San Juan islands in a Canadian charter yacht, but if you were thinking of including them it would be best to check.

 

[Rhyddid]

Lived in BC for the best part of twenty years including Vancouver Island. So if you a considering sailing that neck of the woods you won't regret it. From Vancouver you can charter or go to the Island and charter out of Victoria or Sidney or even Nanaimo. Just depends what kind of cruising you plan.
As for your CV (or Resume in Canadian speak), I would expect you have some paper qualifications and/or years of experience. Day skipper level, VHF & with some Nav skills, it would suffice, and as AndrewB says drop them an email just make sure, as each Company will have there version of "minimum" requirements.
Anyway, it is one of the most beautiful places to cruise and to do some Gunkholing in and around Desolation Sound is out of this world...... Did I say that already
Be prepared to sail with the Orca's and catch 40lb Salmon, pick Oysters off the beach at low tide and eat the best prawns and crab ever. Can,t think why I ever retired back to Blighty !!
Jack
p.s. if I can be of any help PM me, I'll be happy to tell you what I know

 

[capnsensible]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xkZdmg6qt4&feature=kp

 

[Rhyddid]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xkZdmg6qt4&feature=kp

No this ! http://youtu.be/HdhBXyXI6E8 :encouragement: :encouragement:

 

[capnsensible]

Brrr.

 

[Rhyddid]

Hey capn, My coldest day in Canada was -52c ..... 26th Dec 1990 I believe. Been in the Interior of BC 6 months. I was wondering if I had made a poor career choice

 

[capnsensible]

That is brave. Its about 62 degrees lower than when I feel cold!

 

[Rhyddid]

That is brave. Its about 62 degrees lower than when I feel cold!

Well Chris, the really stupid thing was I was working in the Middle-East 6 months prior, and the day I left it was +55c !
Now, if I could only find a happy medium Could do with some of that Med weather you're enjoying at the present !
Jack

 

[Sybarite]

Why not just drop them an email to confirm, you could even include your sailing experience CV. If you have nothing formal maybe they will assess your competence on a short trip.

A relative is offering the trip but would like me to be skipper. I just don't want a last minute problem.

 

[Sybarite]

Lived in BC for the best part of twenty years including Vancouver Island. So if you a considering sailing that neck of the woods you won't regret it. From Vancouver you can charter or go to the Island and charter out of Victoria or Sidney or even Nanaimo. Just depends what kind of cruising you plan.
As for your CV (or Resume in Canadian speak), I would expect you have some paper qualifications and/or years of experience. Day skipper level, VHF & with some Nav skills, it would suffice, and as AndrewB says drop them an email just make sure, as each Company will have there version of "minimum" requirements.
Anyway, it is one of the most beautiful places to cruise and to do some Gunkholing in and around Desolation Sound is out of this world...... Did I say that already
Be prepared to sail with the Orca's and catch 40lb Salmon, pick Oysters off the beach at low tide and eat the best prawns and crab ever. Can,t think why I ever retired back to Blighty !!
Jack
p.s. if I can be of any help PM me, I'll be happy to tell you what I know

Many thanks but my cousin is a Vancouver Island resident. He fishes with his motor boat but wants to try sail. I lived for a few years in Vancouver as a child.

 

[TimBennet]

No, they'll be no qualification requirement as there's no qualification that would be relevant for most of their charters.

But the hours 'check ride' is pretty standard and be prepared to do a load of manoeuvring under power if they suspect you aren't up to standard. They don't care about whether you can sail as they's no wind.

 

[BruceDanforth]

It sounds interesting. Be sure to post if you do it.

 

[Sybarite]

It sounds interesting. Be sure to post if you do it.

Will do. But it's for next summer.

 

[bbg]

I had a look at a BC charterer's site and apparently all they ask for is the CV of your sailing experience.

Just to be sure can anyone confirm that they don't ask for a formal sailing qualification?

Thanks.

I am here (Vancouver) now, as it happens. I chartered out of Nanaimo a couple of years ago (I can't remember which outfit) and they asked for a CV only. No qualifications as I don't have any, and there was no problem.

 

[bbg]

Many thanks but my cousin is a Vancouver Island resident. He fishes with his motor boat but wants to try sail. I lived for a few years in Vancouver as a child.

That's convenient. It is nicer to charter out of Vancouver Island than out of Vancouver, so you have direct access to the Gulf Islands.

PM me closer to the time if you want some tips; this is the area where I learned to sail.

 

[Sybarite]

That's convenient. It is nicer to charter out of Vancouver Island than out of Vancouver, so you have direct access to the Gulf Islands.

PM me closer to the time if you want some tips; this is the area where I learned to sail.

Many thanks Bruce.

 

[Bilgediver]

I had a look at a BC charterer's site and apparently all they ask for is the CV of your sailing experience.

Just to be sure can anyone confirm that they don't ask for a formal sailing qualification?

Thanks.

These folk have featured in several articales in UK magazines and forum threads. They are convenient
for some of the best areas.

http://www.desolationsoundyachtcharters.com/


These folk do good cruising guides

http://www.dreamspeakerguides.com/

Other folk like this one too.

http://waggonerguide.com/content/2014-waggoner-available.


A great area which you will enjoy.

 

[Uricanejack]

I had a look at a BC charterer's site and apparently all they ask for is the CV of your sailing experience.

Just to be sure can anyone confirm that they don't ask for a formal sailing qualification?

Thanks.

My home waters, Its a beautiful area you will enjoy sailing here.

Most if not all the charter operators have limits which restrict you.
From night sailing.
To Canadian waters only.
Not going west of Race Rocks.
Not North of Campbell River.

It is sometimes possible to get these restrictions lifted.

The first question is what type of sailing holiday do you want.

When I took my Uncle for a weeks charter his requirement was a good pub or restaurant within a short walk or row every night.

We went to the Southern Gulf Islands from Granville Island and had a great time we found a marina with a pub every night.
In the summer you will be wise to book ahead its popular and busy.
Scenery is lovely navigation is easy.
Wild life there’s lots.


When I took my Mum and Dad we went from Granville Island to desolation Sound and back in a week.
Few pubs but we did find a couple.
Lots of Remote Anchorages. Limited opportunity to re supply
Spectacular Scenery.
Navigation easy.

If you like I can give a rough itinerary I use for either of these trips.

I can confirm no formal certificate is required.

Canadian Law.
All persons operating a Canadian boat. With a motor over 10hp must be 16 or older and have a PCOC. Pleasure Craft Operator Card.

Two main exemptions.
Foreign boats visiting must comply with flag state requirements.
Boat rental or charters. Instead of PCOC must complete a dockside check card. Similar level.

In any event its extremely minimal.

No formal certificate? You must complete charter or rental check list.

There you go legal requirements. Even with a piece of paper you will have to do the checklist. Or you can do the PCOC on line.
(If your relative has his own motor boat for fishing he probably has one, which could eliminate this step)

In practice most charter companies require a Sailing Resume or CV. With a higher level of knowledge.
As proof of knowledge.
They like the informal certification. Most sailing certification is informal
Usually a basic sailing course plus a navigation course.
Power Squadron , ASA, CYA are the usual.

They would be very happy with a Yacht Master. But day Skipper, Plus the theory course for Coastal Navigation should be fine. And corresponds to the knowledge level generally expected.

If you don’t have a piece of paper of some kind. Expect you will need a more impressive resume plus a more formal check out.

Coming from the UK the main thing to be aware of is this is a system B area for buoy age.
The shape remains the same the color is reversed.

Look up Canada Safe Boating Guide it will have all the answers.

The Canadian tide and current tables are a bit different. As with Uk .The explanation is in the back, they are quite simple.

This area has strong currents in narrow passes. The charter companies will want you to know about.

I can recommend Cooper Boating as a charter company. I used to work for them and chartered from them many times.
They have two offices one at Granville Island, False Creek right in the heart of Vancouver.
They also have an office at Port Sydney Marinna. Near Victoria Both are ideal if you want to sail in the gulf Islands. They are the biggest.
In the past there boats were older Canadian or American models, Catalina, C&C, Hunter.
Now you will find they are newer and quite familiar Bavaria, Beneteau.

Desolation Sound Charters is a well respected company out of Comox on Vancouver Island. I have never used them myself. There boats are a bit older but nice. And the are much closer to Desolation Sound. Saves you at least two long days.

Blue Pacific a very good, Again mostly New model boats. Are based in Granville Island. Nice late model boats.

There are others but I know less about them.

If you relative Lives on Vancouver Island best to pick a local spot to depart from.
Port Sydney, Coopers.
Comox, Desolation Sound Charters.
There is a company out of Nanaimo but I don’t know it. Nanaimo is also very convenient for the Gulf Islands