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
