FNG from VB

[Jeff Lebowski]

Greetings. Jeff from Virginia Beach.

A lifelong boater, but the biggest thing I've owned is my current 30-foot center console fishing boat. I'm fairly handy with tools and done all my own maintenance forever.

I am 61 and recently retired from an airline-pilot job. My wife is from Vancouver Island, just off the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. It is my understanding that there are tens of thousands of miles of shoreline to explore between the southern and northern tip of the island. All of them beautiful. Typically the summers there are often flat calm, so a big sailboat is probably a no-go. Plus, she's not much of a sailor and I'm lazy.

So, I am thinking about buying a boat and living on it during their summer months. I figured I'd start reading well in advance and try and learn as much as possible about the boats and the lifestyle.

I love the look of the Selene's, the Flemings, Marine Traders, and the Europa line of Grand Banks. The reality is that I know just about zero about the boats at this point. I've just been watching YouTube vids about boats for sale and a few guys who live on theirs.

I am constantly looking online and am sure there are dozens more to consider. Right now I am looking at a single screw just from a cost and maintenance standpoint. We're not in any hurry and will be buying a used boat. Hopefully, one in Canada so I can use my US bucks and gain some boat with the exchange. I want a glass hull or aluminum.

I've got a US Coast Guard Masters license, 25T but I've never used it.

That's it. Off I go to start reading. Any suggestions, reading material, etc and I am all ears.

Many thanks.

 

[Peter B]

Welcome to TF. Sounds like a plan. Plenty of good advice to be had on here. Start diggin' and askin'...

 

[menzies]

Welcome.

FNG?

 

[psneeld]

F`n new guy.......

Common in military aviation.....probably common in airlines too from crossover.....

 

[Comodave]

Welcome aboard. Have fun during your search.

 

[firehoser75]

Hi Jeff and Welcome to the forum.
Check out boat search 101 and the tons of other threads relating to starting the boat search.
A couple of preliminary suggestions. If I understand your original post, it sounds like you will be leaving the boat for several months at a time and therefore little to no maintenance during that time, and wanting to enjoy the boat (as much as possible) during your time in the BC area?
If that is the case, you may want to have high on your list of do not want things that add to exterior maintenance? Things like varnishing exterior wood, screwed down teak decks, and lots of canvas (or should be easily removeable), etc.

While I love the look of the GB Europa line, I would avoid those for the exterior maintenance discussed above. Other boats you might like (based on your list above) would be Kadey Krogen, Helmsman, North Pacific, and maybe Nordic Tug and American Tug. Some of the older Krogen's do have exterior teak, the newer ones less so. I am sure there are other models as well.
Good luck.

 

[Lepke]

Since you're thinking of the island, try: https://www.pacificboatbrokers.com/Index.asp
in Parksville, BC. North of Nanaimo. They have one of the best boat web sites on the West Coast, usually lots of boats. I bought my current boat thru them. Best broker experience I ever had.

 

[FlyWright]

Welcome aboard, Jeff. Plenty of like-minded "lazy" pilots here to keep you company...plus a few cheap ones like me. (Maybe 'cheap pilot' is redundant.) I knew I had a choice in life to become a pilot or work for a living. Being lazy, I chose the former.

Lots of crossover skills between piloting and yachting as I'm sure you know. It also helps to have systems maintenance (RV Ownership), domestic maintenance (Housekeeping) & engineering (Plumber), exterior finish (Varnish/Painting) and recreation (Relaxation, fishing, vacations, etc.) experience.

Enjoy the hunt and the experiences! It's a great way to enjoy your hard-earned retirement!!