BC Moorage / Anchorage

[koalla]

Hello all you happy people.
Just your luck I've decide to finally buy that boat and move onto it for full-time living. I need a little bit of know how from someone who is willing to provide it, about moorage/anchorage all of which needs to be at reaonable cost (my reasonable) and I don't want to be totally isolated. Vancouver is no great appeal, more the point of escape, Victoria and Nanaimo being a likely destinatiion (or near there). I also wouldn't mind other destination anywhere on the BC coast. What I need is power and supplies for the winter months not to freeze my ass off.
If you have suggestions maybe even monthly prices....or anchorage where access to town is possible, suggestions are welcome...
thanks for now
k

[hummingway]

If you need power then anchorage would seem to be out?

Victoria area has two "official" liveaboard marinas, Westbay Marine Village right in Victoria and Marina Park Marina in Sidney. There are people living aboard at many of the other marinas in the area but officially they aren't permanent residents.

Maple Bay Marina allows some official liveaboards up near Duncan.

Nanaimo has a lot marinas but I don't know if any are official live aboards or not.

I don't know of any really inexpensive marinas but you haven't mentioned any parameters.

[hummingway]

Prices do vary but most marinas seem to be around $10 a foot plus power etc. Some have a surcharge once you get over a certain length.

[koalla]

thanks hum........
just got of the phone....seems no space is available anywhere and at west bay... you have to purchase cable and whatever else if you want power.....the bill is to high for me. If it's worth noting I'm on a 37 cherubini without solar or wind gen....
the same story holds true for all the other marinas unless of course you know the play I don't and that's really why I'm writingl. Is a do it and see what happens senario? A backup plan would be nice ... ie: there is moorage available somewhere in Cr or Pr ......Gibsons maybe? ........

[hummingway]

On a 37 footer you can expect to pay $400ish a month with taxes and then you'll have power. Most marinas seem to renew in the spring (April) so the answer is to get on their waiting lists and search Craigslist (etc) for someone who wishes to sublet their slip. Get on their waiting list because when someone wants to sublet they will tell the marina. You can live aboard most marinas if you are quiet and below the radar. People stay on their boats even if they aren't live aboards. Some places the liveaboards are more open then others.

It will be easier if you can narrow down where you want to be. Then you can go visit the area and ask around, walk the docks etc. There are a lot of marinas around and somewhere there will be space.

This site may help in your search: British Columbia Marinas - BC Marinas, Canada

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, koalla.

Check out the BC Nautical Residents' Liveaboard Association
➥ BC Nautical Residents Liveaboard Association

http : //www . bcnr.org/

[koalla]

Hi GordMaY
Thanks for the link, I'll look at it right away.

[koalla]

Hum.........
Are you aware of any legal liveaboard moorage anywhere on the BC coast....that is where there is available space right now?
thanks again......heading south the winter?

[hummingway]

Legal live aboards are hard to come by, you might want to consider living at a marina where it's not official. It's cheaper that way.

Here's an older post that mentions some places to consider: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post297577

I've heard Richmond is an alternative :
Richmond BC marinas - Google Maps

[perchance]

If you don't mind a farily long slog under power to get to sea you might consider the Fraser River. There are a several small Marinas that have a few liveaboards and seem to vary from fancy shmancy to down at heel. I suppose an added benefit would be the proximity of Vancouver and fewer problems with bottom growth.

[koalla]

thanks everyone........i'll try your suggestions
cheers!

[highseas]

Squamish,should have some space.No one "lives" on their boat.They stay on their boat.

[Capt Phil]

If I were to live aboard in BC again, I would check out spots outside the lower mainland. Spots like Alert Bay, Minstrell Island come to mind. Picturesque, quiet, basic supplies and no or few people. Unless you are looking for bright lights and party time or have a job adjacent to your boat, I would opt for the back and beyond... good luck, Capt Phil

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Capt Phil

Minstrell Island

Minstrel Island has fallen into disrepair. Not a pretty site.

[gpshephe]

Originally Posted by Capt Phil

If I were to live aboard in BC again, I would check out spots outside the lower mainland. Spots like Alert Bay, Minstrell Island come to mind. Picturesque, quiet, basic supplies and no or few people. Unless you are looking for bright lights and party time or have a job adjacent to your boat, I would opt for the back and beyond... good luck, Capt Phil

wow this is remote. I don't like city lights, but this looks like no lights at all.