Wintering around Victoria BC

[Irish Mist]

Need some suggestions and information. Looking at the way our dollar is going we may be staying in Canada this winter. Our option is the West Coast. I know we can winter on the boat ok , looking for suggestions for good marinas, reasonable rates. Feed back from anyone that has wintered aboard their boat there would be awesome.
Thank you

 

[Lobo]

Good evening, Irish Mist:

The Victoria Harbour Authority runs the docks in the Victoria Harbour and have winter rate specials, including the docks in front of the Empress Hotel and Parliament Buildings. Right down town. Biggest drawback would be that the westerly winds do work their way in making it a bit colder, but it shouldn't cause you bouncing problems. Location is good -- right down town. Gated entry as well. Power and water on the docks. I don't have any idea of the rate, but they have a website.

Oak Bay Marina is on the eastern side of Victoria, close to bus routes and town. I was in there for 12 years and it's great. Not sure if there is any winter deal. Again -- on the web.

Further out of town are Westport Marina, Van Isle Marina and Canoe Cove Marina. These are close to the BC Ferry terminal to Vancouver (walking distance), a short cab ride to the airport and busses to downtown Victoria. All in sheltered marinas. Again -- all on the web. It is rumored that there are 10,000 boats moored in this area. I haven't counted them yet. This is also a great area if you need work done on your boat as all facilities available.

At the foot of Beacon Street in Sidney is Port Sidney, a "probably" more expensive marina. Very close to downtown Sidney and busses, ferry, airport with full services.

If you need any more info, email me: davidwtrace@gmail.com.


Dave
LOBO

 

[Irish Mist]

Thanks Dave

 

[downey]

We keep our boat at North Saanich Marina for $10 foot, they don't advertise that rate but give it to anyone who asks.
Since it's owned by the Oak Bay Group we have recipricol moorage at Ladysmith Marina, Oak Bay Marina, Pedder Bay, and April Point on Quadra Island.
We used Ladysmith once and paid $5 per night for power.
Check out http://www.obmg.com for all the info.
With last year being so mild we barely missed a weekend out on our boat, usually heading over to Port Browning or Cowichan Bay. Generally speaking the wind is calm on the route to Cowichan Bay. Were also close to Ganges, at both Ganges and Cowichan Bay there is a Government dock at $1.00 per ft for the night. Port Browning is $15 per night all fall/winter no matter how big the boat plus hydro.
Port Browning has the best bar and a very good grocery store within walking distance.
Ganges has everything right up from the dock.
Cowichan Bay likewise has a great restaurant, (Cow Bay Cafe), best bakery around, fresh seafood, and a small general store.

 

[10PoundHammer]

We've kept our Ranger 27 , and now a Cutwater 30, at Van Isle Marina for about 5 years now. It is within walking distance of Sidney (you wouldn't want to regularly schlep groceries or anything), although we keep bikes at the marina and ride into town. The Fairways grocery store will deliver groceries to your boat. There are a couple of chandleries down the block.

It's been a while since I compared moorage, but it used to be much less than Port of Sidney (which doesn't have or didn't used to have long-term parking) but more than the marinas in Saanich Inlet and Canoe Cove.

The upside to Port of Sidney is that everything you'd need is within a 10 minute walking distance at most, so it depends on whether you want peace and quiet or lots of things to do nearby. Definitely the most upscale of the public marinas in the area.

Van Isle is well kept and well run with a simple but always clean washroom and shower set-up. Laundry. No gates. Free parking. There is a fuel dock and customs station (actually just a phone booth). Water and power at every slip. The staff are friendly and helpful; it's a pretty big marina. .

Just to clarify, it would be a very long walk to the ferry terminal from Van Isle. Canoe Cove, no problem; it's literally just down the hill. It's a $20 cab ride from the airport (we live in Alberta). So a lot depends on how you plan to get to your boat.

Sidney is a great little town. Lots of books stores, coffee shops and interesting restaurants. Five years ago we figured we'd try it out and have never seen a reason to move since.

Hope that helps.

btw Ranger refers all of its warrantee work to Steve at Canoe Cove Manufacturing (not to be confused with Canoe Cove Marina). I've found him very reliable and responsive, although usually pretty busy.

Good luck.

Roman and Deb
Grandpa's Hammer

 

[Irish Mist]

Thanks to everyone that took the time to reply...
We found a marinia that seems nice on line and located close to family.. Just looking for feed back if anyone has stayed or knows about it.. Coast Victoria Habourfront Hotel and Marinia.. As well will need to store the trailer near by. If anyone has towed their boat to that area and has pointers that would be great as well
Many thanks