Recent content by TollerTrawler

Other trend indicators Some other macro shifts that may affect the popularity of boating: 1. Canadian boat purchase tax. The proposed luxury tax on boats over $250,000 is 10% of the full value of the boat. Intended to come into effect in January 2022. 2. Moorage. In my 20 years of boating...

Might be worth stating what is measured in a fluids test for those who haven't employed one before. For example, bellow is what is tested in the transmission fluid. Some of the same analysis elements are applied to the engine oil and coolant but specific elements are also added to each of those...

Tried to buy a trawler through a broker who was rep'ing a purported "professional diesel mechanic" owner. Mechanical raised some questions, but the fluids testing had a shocking result. The $60 X 3 oil, trans, and coolant tests saved me a crapload of cash.

I suggest starting with a marine insurer before you even look at the boat. In B.C. at least, I'm hearing insurers are declining to cover pre-80's trawlers, particularly wood, and first-time owners. Even if you're comfortable running without insurance, you can't get a marina slip without it.

Virtual town hall on Dec 3 about this matter https://www.vicnews.com/news/mp-to-host-expert-panel-for-virtual-town-hall-on-freighter-anchorages-issue/ From Yellow Point last week I counted 6 freighters anchored with in eye-sight.

It is a Sideshift. I purchased and had one installed on a Bayliner 2858; I think it was $CDN 3k all in. I took a beating from everyone who saw it, and I wouldn't buy another, but I can say that for a fraction of an in-hull when money was tight, on a boat that spun like a cork in the water, I...

Thank you for sharing. My father was a camera technician and part of the CBC team that filmed this. Your post reminds me that I inherited a reel of 16mm film that I think is raw footage of this event. I'll have to go and get it converted to digital.

I have a large dehumidifier that I use on a timer for 8 hours a day (marina electricity cost is a factor). I have noticed that around 3 degrees C, the humidifier starts to ice up, and becomes ineffective (actual ice layers form on the radiator portion). I'm changing its use cycle to the middle...

I love trawlers, but I own a sailboat. I like the challenges of running a sailboat--quite a bit more to know and do, to get somewhere. I enjoy when the auxiliary is shut off, and I always feel closer to nature on my sailboat. I particularly like the simplicity of the little diesel--I can do most...

Not only would I never consider buying a boat without an engine inspection, on older diesels I have oils testing done. On a recent pre-purchase inspection, the engine oil and coolant came back "green down the line." However the transmission (not even the original, a higher quality replacement)...

Unclematt, you are fully within your rights to want a stern thruster. I chartered a Sundowner 32 out of Vancouver years ago; identical to your picture and we absolutely loved the boat. That said on the return trip we stopped for fuel at the station under the Burrard street bridge, and...

The worst part of boating I'll only add that my wife and I have a philosophical technique that's helped us over the years. When either one of us is docking, the other says as we enter a marina under challenging conditions, "This is all over in three minutes." In a crazy way, it diffuses the...

Are you looking at the Gypsy Rose in Comox? I was wondering the same thing about the BMW engine. When I did the Google dive I saw the current owner bought it three years ago, was totally pumped about the boat from his posts on the Pacific Camano Owners forum, going to the rendezvous, etc. Then...