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Henri Bergius
Learning proper navigation is key to enjoyment – and safety.
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Alan
The boating lifestyle opens up a new world of destinations to discover.
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Bernard Spragg
Becoming a competent mariner and enjoying the West Coast is easier than you think.
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Jason Pratt
Taking proper courses on and off the water is pertinent to gaining the confidence on the water.
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Kay Yamagishi
The first decision to make is whether you want a power or sailboat.
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A boat show is great place to start browsing for a new model.
Words by Michael McLaughlin
How many times have you stood on the shore watching the sail and power boats go by, wishing you could own one? How many times have you looked at a map of British Columbia’s island-festooned and fjord-riven coast and imagined being anchored among stunning tranquility? Becoming a competent mariner and enjoying the West Coast boating lifestyle is easier than you think.
The first big decision is to choose between sail or power. Most people know their preference. Sailing connects the crew to the ocean or weather and requires hands-on skills, which is all part of the pleasure of sailing. A power boat is easier to operate and gets you where you want to go in less time with more reliability. The choice is probably in your nature.
Whether you buy a boat first, then take boating courses – or vice versa – is entirely up to you. However, one of the most pertinent first steps before you hit the water is learning how to operate and navigate a boat properly. Ocean boating offers many challenges not found with inland boating.
Fortunately, British Columbia has several sailing and powerboating schools that can teach you how to be safe and self-sufficient. The minimum requirements to operate a pleasure craft in British Columbia are a VHF Restricted Operators Certificate and a Pleasure Craft Operating Card (PCOC). The former requires a course of about six hours and the PCOC, which is required by law to have, may be taken online.
Other than having your PCOC, you are not required to take a boating course before operating a boat. Unless you plan to stay within sight of your home port, you should take one. Your investment and your life are too important to risk while ocean boating without competent instruction. In fact, some insurance companies require a navigational course and you cannot charter a boat without completing training in vessel operation and navigation.
The minimum requirement for a Competent Crew/Day Skipper certificate for power and sail takes about five days. A second five-day course features navigational training and earns you your Coastal Skipper certification. To be competent on a sailboat, you need at least two five-day modules, and a third is recommended. It’ll be well worth it in the long run. What’s more, your whole family can take a five-day, live-aboard course for the cost of a modest holiday. At the end you are all sailors. Evening and weekend courses are also offered.
Once you become competent, there is still much to learn. You can begin with short excursions to become confident to pilot a power or sailboat through channels with hazards or tidal currents and in rough weather. The Salish Sea is a relatively benign boating environment with no shortage of fabulous boating experiences. North of the Salish Sea consists of an endless array of archipelagos and fjords that require some seasoning before you enjoy their limitless beauty, tucked away in your own cove or inlet.
Buying a Boat
Before purchasing a boat make sure that you have the boating bug. So, you may want to try out a few different types of craft. This is where a bareboat charter comes in. You can lease a boat for a day or two, which means you can try out several models. Charter for a longer period and explore the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound or the many other boating destinations on the Salish Sea. Get a feel for what you want to do with a boat, the size of the vessel you require, and the amenities/equipment that best suits your needs.
Buying a boat should be fun and exciting. Attending a boat show when you have a purchase in mind is a kid-in-a-candy-store experience. Look at lots of boats around the length and capabilities you are interested in. If you can’t wait for a boat show, shop around at your local dealerships or marinas and talk to friends who own a boat. Every skipper loves to talk about their boat, so don’t hesitate to ask questions.
A boat is a large expenditure and nearly as complicated as buying the right home. The process includes finding the right boat, negotiating the right price, completing the inspections, completing the paperwork and taking delivery. We recommend you use a professional yacht broker to find your first boat. Just as with a realtor, a boat broker can help find boats that match your tastes and requirements, assist in determining condition and value, help negotiate the purchase and facilitate the transfer of ownership. Most yacht brokers belong to the British Columbia Yacht Brokers Association. Its members adhere to a code of ethics and handle all transactions according to prescribed procedures so that every client is treated with high standards of professionalism. They can be found at www.bcyba.com/member-directory
The cost of keeping and maintaining a boat is another important consideration. The rule of thumb is the annual cost is approximately 10 percent of the cost of the boat. As you can imagine, the numbers fall into a wide range. A 30-foot boat will have a $3,000 - $5,000 annual moorage cost. Annual insurance is roughly one percent of the boat’s value. Fuel depends on the style and size of boat, the distances you travel and more importantly, the speed you like to travel. Maintenance costs will have a lot to do with the condition of the boat when you buy it, and the amount of work you will do on it yourself. You should also make some allowance for equipment replacement, upgrades, and general depreciation.
When you consider the cost of owning a boat, it is your vacation vehicle. Instead of flights and hotel costs, you will enjoy one of the world’s most enjoyable and intriguing water wonderlands. Weekend getaways will be spent exploring with a freedom like no other. We urge you to get proper training, simplify the purchase by using a boat broker and find the boat that matches your dreams.