Recommendations for Sunshine Coast moorage?

[arborman]

Moved the family up to Gibsons at the beginning of this month, and I was wondering if anyone has ideas or recommendations for moorage on the Coast?  Currently the waiting list for Gibsons Marina is years long (I'm on it but won't hold my breath).  There is another marina in the works, but it could be years yet.

As it stands I am looking at either Horseshoe bay or somewhere further up like Pender Harbour.  Anyone had god or bad experiences at marinas up here?

[Capn_Druid]

If you have a look at Secret Cove, our own Old Salt may be able to get you an "in" (I hear he's a Head Cheeze up there)

There's a little tiny marina on the point at White Islets (S of Seashelt) - I'm not sure it's public - it may be just for residents of the townhouses there. Anyone know details?

druid

[Old_Salt]

arborman:

Welcome to the Sunshine Coast!

You could check out Secret Cove Marina at ...

http://www.secretcovemarina.com/

Ask for "Scott" at 604-885-3533, but don't tell him I sent you!

Failing that, there are a number of smaller marinas, between Buccaneer Marina (turn off the highway at "Sans Souci" Road), run by the Mercer Brothers, and Secret Cove Marina at the "Mercer" road turnoff, a little further north.

OS

[arborman]

Well, I can get a slip at Port Stalashen Marina, which is pretty close.  I've heard it has tricky access - anyone have an opinion or experience?

[Capn_Druid]

That's the one I was thinking of. Are you sail or power? I think the entrance is VERY shallow (dries on LW?) and it's a bit narrow,  but other than that it should be fine. I've looked at it lots of times as I was going up Sunshine Coast because we really need a marina to break up that haul from Secret Cove to Gibsons.

If you check it out, let us know what it's like!
druid

[arborman]

Am I sail or power?  If I am cut, do I not bleed?

Aruba is a Crown 28 - you may be familiar with them

I'm going to have a look on Saturday.  We'll see.  I'll keep you posted.

[Capn_Druid]

Am I sail or power?  If I am cut, do I not bleed?

Aruba is a Crown 28 - you may be familiar with them

OK, ya got me! But with John talking all about sailing and being a stinkpotter, it's hard to sort it all out... (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it )

druid

[Fiasco]

Hey, I resemble that remark. We think the capitan has been into the Demon rum.

[Old_Salt]

arborman:

In spite of the warning,
"Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic."

I decided NOT to start a new topic, and reopen this thread, and ask the ultimate question, "DID YOU MOVE YOUR BOAT TO THE SUNSHINE COAST AT STALASHEN,
and have you been boating from there this summer?"

Enquiring minds need to know.

OS

[Capn_Druid]

Yeah, we do! It looks like there's a good chance we'll be moving to Gibsons in a couple years, and I was thinking of Secret Cove or Port Stalashen Marina (hadn't thought of a waiting list at Gibsons...). I figure even Secret Cove is actually closer to Gibsons than Burrard Civic is to North Delta (less traffic anyway!).

How do you like Gibsons?

druid

[arborman]

I did move my boat up around Easter, just before that big storm.  I've been boating from Stalashen all summer, and it has been.... OK.

It is well maintained and a decent enough marina, though there are no bathrooms.

The biggest 2 issues for me:

1.  Tide.  The entrance is dry at a zero tide, so you have to time departures and arrivals to have enough depth for your boat.  A pain, especially arrivals.

2.  The entrance opens onto the Strait of Georgia.  If there is weather around, it is most significant in the Strait - which can make for a little less family sailing than otherwise might happen.

On the other hand, 3 years at Stalashen is about the same cost as one year at Lynnwood or Mosquito Creek.  It is only about 9 miles to Howe Sound, and we've done lots of day sailing in that direction.  A NW is right on the beam if you are going to the Gulf Islands though (I.e. Silva Bay).

I'm on the waiting list at Gibsons Marina, which is all of 100 feet from our house - that will be great when it happens.  But....  they let people sell their slip with their boats - so new slips are rare.  People have been known to buy rotten old boats just to get the slip.

There is another Marina - Smitty's - and I am working on getting in there, but it is more of a who-you-know sort of thing.

As for the town of Gibsons, we are loving it.  THe kids are happy and outdoors all the time (unlike when we lived in an apartment in Vancouver).  The house is great, quiet neighbourhood.  And we have a beach at the end of the road and the marina is 100' away, whenever I do finally get in there.

I am of the 'get out boating as often as possible' school.  And every little barrier reduces those chances.  Tide, even the 15 minute drive to the boat all bring the number of sails down a fraction.  So Stalashen is infinitely better than anything I had in Vancouver, but I am still going for the brass ring of Gibsons Marina.

And  Druid, if you are thinking of moving up here in a couple of years, get on the list now.  Even if you did end up in Stalashen and they called you mid-year, they are the same company and would let you move over.  And you could pay for a full year at both and still be saving money vs. Mosquito Creek.

[Old_Salt]

arborman:

Thanks for taking the time to respond in depth.  Much appreciated.

OS

[Capn_Druid]

Thanks for the 'fo, 'bro!

I'm not sure we're going to Gibsons (I still have my heart set on Pender Hbr, or it could be on the Island somewhere...), so I don't think I should get on the waiting list just yet. Stalashen sounds about what I expected - I wouldn't like that zero tide thing! I think my second choice would be Secret Cove, or even Pender Hbr somewhere.

Anyway, sounds like you're enjoying your new home! Who knows: we might be neighbours soon...

druid

[arborman]

The waiting list costs zero - you just have to call every few months so they keep you on the list.  (or stop by and chat them up every 3 weeks, as I do  )

You have no good reason not to get on the list.  It isn't like you are signing on or anything, but if you do decide you will be a couple of years into the list.

[Capn_Druid]

The waiting list costs zero - you just have to call every few months so they keep you on the list.  (or stop by and chat them up every 3 weeks, as I do  )

You have no good reason not to get on the list.  It isn't like you are signing on or anything, but if you do decide you will be a couple of years into the list.

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