Still pursuing my sailing dreams

[Spacexcowboy2]

Hi all. My name is Christopher. I am currently in Calgary buy plan to head west bound to Vancouver Island in 2 weeks. Looking to purchase catamaran with living quarters and possibly 1-2 bedroom house (just me). Thought I would say hi! Anyone with tips on where to start with a boat (brand etc or a steadfast realtor...would be most appreciated. Hope to see ya on the water by mid summer...once I get some training that is.

Christopher

[tkeithlu]

Welcome to the forum, Christopher.

At this point, all I'd say as avoid a project boat as a first one - you need to get out and sail. Others may have more specific advice. Do come back with questions.

[sail sfbay]

Welcome to the forum!!

Start looking on Yachtworld and with boat brokers in Vancouver.

[sail sfbay]

Welcome to the forum!!

Start looking on Yachtworld and yacht brokers in Vancouver.

[chris mac]

Welcome Christopher, I'm Chris from Edmonton. We have done a couple charters in the Vancouver area. Catamarans are a little scarse there. They exist, but you won't have a big selection. That said, we bought ours in lake Ontario and barely saw another until we hit the icw. So they can be found.
The other issue to be aware of is dockage. A lot of the marinas in the area are full or quite expensive. I would recomend finding a slip for the boat first, before buying the boat.
I understand the desire to leave Alberta, and head to the ocean! We did it last fall but went the other direction. Spent the winter in the Bahamas. Good luck, and enjoy the journey.

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by chris mac

The other issue to be aware of is dockage. A lot of the marinas in the area are full or quite expensive. I would recomend finding a slip for the boat first, before buying the boat.

Reminds me of the joke about a New York City lady lying in the gutter panting as if she's in medical distress, when a worried bystander stops to assist, she replies, "No I'm fine. I just found this parking spot... and I sent my husband out to buy a car!"

Welcome, Christopher. Good luck with your plan.

[desodave]

Welcome aboard Christopher. We live in Courtenay and sail out of Campbell River. You didn't say what part of the Island you were headed for and there will be some major $$ differences in your choice, both in housing and marina costs . As stated we see very few multis on the water here and most of the older marinas are poorly equipped to handle them.
We like the northern Gulf because it's relatively isolated and we have easy access to Desolation Sound. Southern Gulf Islands have more people and marinas, and are perhaps more protected from storms.
You'll enjoy the Island - it's a great place to live.

[Northernguy59]

Christopher,

Welcome as well. Like the others have said you might want to consider a monohull for the stated reasons and get sailing. You can then look to see if you really want and multihull and where you can berth it.

Good luck in our searches ! BC is a wonderful place !

[Ramsey.Slim]

This is my quandary as well. Excited for your adventure and to read what others suggest. Currently in Michigan, but planning for transition to live aboard Multi.