Hello from west coast Canada

[Folded Mirror]

Hi folks! I'm George, retired Electrician and sailing fanatic. In my late 20's I built a Gulf Island 29 up from a hull kit. I designed the equipments myself using the excellent book "Skean's Elements of Yacht Design"... then spent 17 years living aboard and traveling the south west coast of British Columbia here. I equipped her as a very hardcore Cruiser for two, as sort of floating Jeep or Land Rover lol.

My wife is recently retired and we will be getting back into serious sailing during our all-too-short Summers. When I run out of years. My WILL suggests that our vessel "Folded Mirror" be offered for sale in the Classifieds here.

Fair winds to all you good people !

[jrd22]

Hi George, and welcome to SN! I'll keep an eye out for your boat when we are up in your neck of the woods.

[bljones]

Welcome aboard!

[jackdale]

Welcome fellow Canuck.

[Faster]

Welcome, always glad to see another BCer around here!

[rgscpat]

Welcome, George!
(sounds like you'll have lots of good tales to share)

[norahs arc]

Hi George. I'm on that other coast where we have short summers too. We also have cold winters. I am wondering if you or others do any sailing during the winter.
We have been thinking of getting a boat on the west coast and using it in winter. Is this feasible?
Hope to hear back from you.
I will message you with my e-mail ad

[Faster]

Norah

We do sail year round.. however it can be cold, wet and miserable at times. It takes a hardy sort to sail regularly although we have quite a few with an active winter racing fleet at several clubs around Vancouver.

We try to get out once a month anyhow, but seem less willing to freeze our a**es off that we were when we were younger. We routinely do a New Years Eve overnight.

What I wonder about would be the practicality of having a boat here that you can't look after half the year... plan to leave it moored? on the hard? boat sitter? Trailerable? Moorage is very tight, less so on Vancouver Island.

And finally, the summer cruising here is almost unparalleled, you'd end up moving here anyhow!!

[Folded Mirror]

Yes I agree with FASTER. It is possible to go sailing my west coast in Winter, but there are very few non rainy or foggy days. Also our Winter wind storms can be quite dangerous. Since I am new to this board I can't post links to local weather forecasts, or read Messages yet. Look in weatheroffice.gc.ca/marine
And yes moorage on the Mainland is VERY difficult to find, often with a waiting list of years. I too would suggest coming out on Vacation to scout out the situations, and then consider moving here.

[Capt Len]

Welcome , George, have seen you about the docks, Arc ,it's is good all year round here. Mind you ,I cower in an enclosed center cockpit with the wood stove cranked. As for immediate reports of conditions I look at' Big Wave Dave' Find web cams of Dallas Road and Ogden point to see whats what for a local daysail. Find AIS there too. Check it out.Finding affordable moorage near where you want to sail is the trick.Big coast ,but charter boats every where. good luck.