Moorage on the Fraser River?

[YukonDave]

I am about to take possession of a Grand Banks 36 and need somewhere to moor it for at least the next 8 months. I do not live in Vancouver and will fly in through the winter to get to know the boat and do some repairs. Obviously being close to YVR airport would be the most convenient so the Fraser River in Richmond would work although I have some concerns. There does seem to be the occasional spot available but the river has me wondering. When I was looking at boats there was one at marina at the Casino and the broker was honest enough to mention that you won't be able to get it out of the marina to the river as there is a sandbank that has developed and there seems to be no appetite to dredge it.

What about going upriver against the current in a displacement trawler? Is that an issue or is it influenced enough by the tide that it is more of a matter of timing it? Milltown is closer to the ocean but doesn't have any openings at this point.


Any thoughts on Steveston Harbour? Vancouver Island would be good due to proximity to good destinations but would add at least $300 in airfare each time I want to visit the boat. Realistically there would probably just be 3-4 opportunities to go cruising through the winter so proximity isn't as big an issue as it would be otherwise. Most likely I will be bringing it north early next summer.

The North Shore is an option but I lived there and I really don't want to go there through the winter with all the rain.

I'm new to all this so any input would be appreciated. (yes I had surveys done!)

 

[koliver]

Try Ladysmith and Maple Bay. Both have new-ish marinas that have gone through recent expansions and advertise space available, esp for shelters. Flying in to Ladysmith is through the Nanaimo airport. Maple Bay would be a float plane from YVR, so more weather dependant.
Ganges also has a new marina, advertising availability as they just re-opened this season. Fly in by float plane from YVR. Regular service by Harbour Air

 

[Larry M]

Try Craigslits. We put a moorage wanted add in Craigslist. A owner came back and we got a great slip at a private dock on the North Branch of the Fraser for 3 months one winter.

 

[YukonDave]

I checked Craigslist looking for any listings but for some reason I never thought about putting on my own 'looking for' listing!

 

[SteveK]

I have moored up the fraser and it is long journey against current. Then where do you want cruise. Think 3-4 hours just getting to gulf islands.
Have you considered flights into other than Van.
Comox for instance.

 

[hmason]

Yukon Dave,
I owned a 36 GB that I sold to a fellow from Canada. He took possession here in Florida and eventually drove her to Canada. I learned that he sold it to another Canadian who in turn may have sold it again. She is a 1984 with hull number 697, Her name was Satisfaction when I owned her. Any chance she is yours now? Thanks, Howard

 

[YukonDave]

Soo-Valley, I may well end up going the Vancouver Island route. The issue is our local airline goes direct to YVR daily but just direct Victoria 2 days a week so I would have to coordinate day off. It's just for the winter/spring, as I said I will probably bring it north in May.
Simplicity would be to be close to where I have a choice of several flight a day to my home so that's why Vancouver makes some sense.

 

[firehoser75]

Mooring in the Fraser River can be good (freshwater) and bad. Bad because of the distance up the river most moorage is located, and because of the current. Combine the freshet with the outgoing tide, and a slower boat may hardly make any forward way at all. Timing is fine, as long as the weather is also cooperating. Docking in a 5 knot current can be a challenge as well . At times, lots of desbris in the river as well.

You should be able to find moorage available on Vancouver Island in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Maple Bay, possibly Comox (as suggested by another member), Campbell River or with more travel needed, on some of the Gulf Islands. From these locations, cruising is very easy and will not involve all of the issues associated with the river.
Access to marine trades is pretty good in the Nanaimo area (can't speak to the other areas as well). Good luck.

 

[SteveK]

Ok no direct flights other than Vancouver. If you want to use the boat until May i will still say the river moorage past Steveston is a bad idea. Consider Indian Arm for some cruising from a port moody marina.

 

[soin2la]

If you are still looking, I fail to see why Sidney wouldn't be a great option, even with needing to juggle days. Connecting flights to Victoria via YVR are usually minimal.

Barring that, give Cedric a call at Vancouver Whale Watch in Steveston. They pull some boats over the winter so may have a short term (Oct-Mar) sub-let. Cedric may also know other options on the south arm.
https://vancouverwhalewatch.com/

Also Milltown, just over the bridge from YVR, on the north arm.
https://milltownmarina.ca/

 

[YukonDave]

Thanks for the input everyone.

Soin2la, I agree Sidney would be great with a 5 minute cab ride to the airport but so far no spaces at Van Isle, Canoe Cove and no response yet at several others. It's not looking good unless I'm willing to park it on dry land.

I asked at Steveston and the friendly lady there said a slip opened up and the person getting it had been on the wait list since 2002 I believe.

Milltown seemed like another option but have no openings in my size range.

I'll try Cedric.

 

[firehoser75]

Dave,
I know there is moorage at the Nanaimo Port Authority ($10 per foot per month annual) and I am reasonably sure there is space in Ladysmith. There are flights from YVR to Nanaimo airport, and also float plane access. Just an option that is available.

 

[rsn48]

My marina in Comox is expanding so it might be worth a phone call to get on a list to get in once the dredging and build is complete. You might also give the public marina a call (they are side by side). I forget the proper name for the public marina but something Comox Port Authority Blah Blah Blah. My marina is the Comox Valley Marina.

There are flights into the airport in Comox. Probably you'd be making a transfer in Calgary.

The location here is one of the best locations for moorage as you are close to the Broughtons, Desolation Sound, Jervis Inlet, Gulph Islands, etc.

PS: I was born in Whitehorse when Jesus was in diapers in an Army hospital that used to be there, roughly behind the RCMP detachment. I worked 7 summers in Whitehorse at the Army Cadet Camp out by Wolf Creek as an officer in the Cadeting program.

While you are waiting to get into the Comox marinas try Deep Bay, close to Courtney and Comox, you will get a spot there but rafted up, which many do and are happy with it. The location is well protected from nasty weather.