I got myself one of those Mustang Survival ones ... awesome product - you don't even remember you're wearing one after 20 minutes. The CO2 cartridge is replaceable for less than $20. They're expensive but worth it ... bought one for my wife too.

I'm going to throw my $0.02 and recommend a Bayliner Trophy or Campion Explorer 23-25'. If you're coming in from out of town, local boat manufacturers have a kick-ass reputation (look at Double Eagle, Campion, Commander, Hourston).

Small enough to:
- easily trailer / store
- easily squeeze into a crowded public dock
- beach or tie a stern line
- Cheaper moorage / transient fees

Big enough to:
- cross the Strait
- take on some pretty big water
- good range

Cheap enough to:
- use

The fishing configuration will give you a bigger gas tank than most cruisers. For instance, 23-25' in a fishing boat will give you roughly 100-140 gallon tank which should be good for ~250nm range assuming an average of 2-2.3 MPG. Example: 25' Ceira gives you a 65 gallon tank, 25' Trophy gives you a 140 gallon tank which of course you don't have to fill if you don't want to but its nice to have the extra capacity.

23-25' in a Trophy / Explorer should get you a fresh water tank, holding tank and walk-in head for the ladies plus it won't break the bank. I'd suggest Whaler or Grady but they are harder to find an expensive. Disadvantage of the fish boat configuration = smaller cabin and people always asking what you're fishing for.

Gritty Dog:

You will get some reasonably good advice from the members of this board, but I would like you to clarify a few things before responding in detail.

Where do you intend to reside when you get to Beautiful B.C.?  You mention boat trips to Victoria, but from where?  The Vancouver area mainland?  Sunshine Coast?  Somewhere on the East or West side of Vancouver Island?

Do you have previous experience boating on the salt water of the Pacific Coast?

How do you intend to use the boat?  Day trips only?  Overnighters on weekends?  1-2-3 week vacations?  The living accomodations on board become more important when you're out there for a week or more at a time.

When you say " ... Not planning on leaving the straight or anything like that.", do you mean that your boating will be confined to the Strait of Georgia only?  If so, you should know that the Strait of Georgia covers a lot of water from Haro Strait in the south to Johnstone Strait in the north, more than 100 nm, and from the east side of VI to the mainland at the east end of Vancouver Harbour can be over 40 nm.

Maybe you would take the time to give us a little bit more to go on?

My first boat was a Bayliner Ciera 24 footer.  In the 5 years we owned that boat we got as far as Port Hardy.  It was capable of getting us from Port Hardy to Secret Cove in 1 day.  We followed that up with a Commander 30, and in 10 years it has taken us to Southeast Alaska on 3 summer trips, one of which covered 3500 nm over 148 days.  For a starter I would recommend something like a Bayliner Ciera and it would last you a while.  It was a great boat to learn on.

Most importantly, Canadian Power Squadron classes are beginning just about now and will run to before Christmas.  Call them right away and get their boating course under your belts, before you set out.

Get to know the weather forecasting areas for the B.C. coast, and most importantly, get to know where the weather reporting stations are for the area you will be boating in.

Have a ton o' fun out there!

OS

Hi there,

My wife and I are moving to BC and wanted to get into boating. We'd like to buy a boat that is suitable (safe and comfortable) for going out to Victoria without having to take the ferry. Something big enough to feel stable even if the waters are a little rougher, but not so big that it'll break the bank with marina fees and the cost of the boat itself. We would like to upgrade to a bigger boat in a few years, but wanted to get started into boating with something more affordable from the get-go.

I was thinking something like a 22-25ft boat would be nice, and not too expensive, but what are your thoughts?

I've also always been drawn to jet-boats, but they seem to mostly be sport/deck boats, and my wife feels like we should have a boat that has a downstairs area that we can get out of the rain if the weather starts getting a little crappy out there.

So any feedback you guys can offer us on boat size and pro's/con's to jet boats vs outboard vs inboard would be great!

Our main purpose is to get into it - and have something that we can take all around the straight to visit the little islands and stuff like that. Not planning on leaving the straight or anything like that.

Thanks!

I was out racing this weekend M.B.Y.C regatta. Bit of a drifter for the first race each day but then the winds filled in.

Chemainus has a Gov dock a nice walk downtown and is worth seeing the town to look at all the murals, Depending on when your there the  dinner theater is always good.

Ladysmith does not have to much for the visiting boater at the marinas. long walk to town and no services at the dock. I have dropped the hook for lunch in front of transfer beach park and walked its trails. And a lot closer to the shopping strip mall if you need things.

Just in case anyone else is out there... we'll be sailing around the Gulf Islands for about 2 weeks. Hoping to load up today (My Lady packs HEAVY!) and head out tomorrow, assuming TODAY's forecast (10-15 NW and partly cloudy) is correct and not YESTERDAY's (20-30 NW and rain). Probably starting at Clam Bay or maybe Wallace Island, then working out way south probably to Victoria.

I'd kinda like it to be a "quest for pools and hottubs" - I know Port Browning has a pool, Poet's Cove has a pool and hottub. Any others?

Oh, and how is anchoring and/or docking in Ladysmith or Chemanus?

druid
 

Almost lost a local boat detailer last weekend.

While at work detailing a large vessel. He slipped off a ladder , hit his head and went in.

His wife noticed and started to scream for help. However he was not wearing a life vest and had dark clothing on. Current had him. He was face down with just a bit of the dark shirt showing. Dayum hard to see !


One of the guys fueling saw the guy in the water and dove in. Another untied and went over with his boat.

CPR started as soon as they had him out and in the boat. Wa la a breath was taken. He is alive.  Fire rescue , ambulance took him away with a good gash on his head. But in not too bad shape. He is recovering.

Couple of heros that did not stay around.

WOW.

Just working around the boat?

I think I need to review my thoughts on the old PFD deal a bit. When just working around the water.





 

The vent just has too be kept clear of stuff like fenders , tarps and such. The vent just needs some space to do its thing.

As long as it has room to vent then the issues will be , noise, soot and smell. When rafted or dock side.

From my experience soooo YMMV.   Your miliage may vary.

Willy

Latest visit to the factory was today, 9/2/10.

Good progress being made on electrical and hydronic heating systems.  I specified locations on quite a few items and feel good about how things will look and function.

Lower helm layout installed and looking good.  Best decision I made was to specify black bezels and black faces with white numbers for the lower helm Volvo gauges.  Looks sharp!  Upper flybridge helm has been modified based on my feedback....looks good and everything is well placed.

New Garelick flybridge seats have an awesome flip up bolster with really good padding.  Thanks Dave Christopher!

A few "teaser" shots since Old Salt won't tell me how to post lots of pictures like he does.  The album is at the link below...anyone can see it, even if you're not on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2056848&id=1288428088&l=26649d07e2

Salt Air High

YIKES!!! Gibsons isn't even taking names any more. Secret Cove has a "very long" list - they will get back to me. I can see why: my boat would be $1750/yr, compared to $4500/yr at Burrard Civic!

That idea of buying a boat just to get the spot is sounding not so bad...

druid