BOAT STORAGE – VANCOUVER ISLAND

We have space in the boatyard for dry boat storage each winter with special rates for periods of 1 month or more. Call us to obtain your quote. Our prices per month depend upon the size of your boat. Please check our rates pages for more detailed information (at the bottom of the page). You have the option of simply transporting your boat to us and we will haul and store it for you or you can opt for our guardiannage programme and we will both store the boat and ensure that it is taken care of throughout the winter. This is especially beneficial if you live outside the Nanaimo area.

A major aspect of boat ownership is working out where you are going to store the boat when it’s not being used. Dry boat storage is storage out of the water, the alternative is in a marina where the boat is left in the water. There are different activities that need to be completed for storing a boat.
Dry storage is normally storage inside a warehouse. It means your boat is secure and protected from the weather, it saves money on trailer maintenance and less expensive than having a marina berth, but there are some drawbacks. Drawbacks can be you may not be able to get to your boat when you want it and larger boats may not fit. Before you store your boat make sure all valuables are removed from the boat, remove batteries and put them on trickle charge, empty fuel tanks (for fire prevention) and ideally keep your boat protected with a waterproof cover.
Come and talk to us about our storage options or find out more about boat storage in Vancouver Island

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HAULOUT RATES - Nanaimo Boatyard BC

Check out the current rates for Stones Boatyard Nanaimo Services, Travel Lift services, marine equipment rentals and more.

LIFT RATES

Go to establish our charges

One Way Lift

• 20 ft – 30 ft – 30 mins. in slings
• 31 ft – 49 ft – 45 mins. in slings
• 50 ft – 85 ft – 60 mins. in slings
• $55.00 per half hour past maximum

Two Way Lift

• water to blocks to water
• trailer to blocks to water
• water to blocks to trailer
• trailer to blocks to trailer
• water to trailer or trailer to water
• Pressure wash: Charge is for a maximum of 60 mins. $21.00 per 30 mins past maximum.
• Additional charges for very heavy cleaning and disposal may apply.
• Environmental fee: starting at $20.00 up to 30ft up to $54 for an 80 ft boat charged on all lifts.
• Tarp Rental: $11 per week
• Laydays: No charge on haul and launch day. 50% discount November 1 to March 1
• Contractor fees: $7 per hour
• Forklift: $65 per 30 mins.
• Clean-up charge: $60.00 per 30 mins.
• Power Tool Rental: $10.00 per day
• Scaffolding: $5 per day
• Boat stand rental off site: $5 per day per stand
• Liveaboards: $6 per day
• No open sanding below waterline.

DRY LAND STORAGE RATES

• These Dry Land Storage rates are available November 1 to February 28 each year.
• Dry land storage rates are paid in advance and the monthly rate is not pro rated.
• Boats remaining after March 1 are charged full layday rates.
• Those boats classified as Dry Land Storage vessels are not permitted to be used as living accommodation.

Go to establish our charges

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Boat Lifts and Repair Services Vancouver

Haulout (Boat Lift/Hoist) and Storage Facility – EXPANDED YARD AS OF 2016

Stones Boatyard is a professional, clean and environmentally friendly do-it-yourself haulout and marine repair facility. We’re a full service boatyard with one of the biggest marine travelift’s on Vancouver Island, capable of lifting boats up to 83 US tons/75 Metric tonnes, 85 feet in length and a 20 foot beam. Boat owners are welcome to work on their own boats, utilize our boat repair services or employ outside contractors.

We also offer winter dryland boat storage with monthly rates beginning in November until February 28th the following year.

Engine, Hull, General Repairs & Maintenance

Nanaimo Yacht Services: our boat repair division marine mechanics and staff carry out repair work and maintenance on your boat or sailing yacht from one-off repairs to ongoing care within our yard, at Stones Marina or in other local marinas. The services we provide range from engine and transmission repair and maintenance, to fuel polishing, and larger installations such as generators or a bow thruster. We also have a full staff to complete general labour tasks such as bottom painting, and zinc changes.

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Nanaimo Yacht Services

What we Offer:

• An 83 ton Marine Travelift and haulout facility 
• A “Do-it-Yourself” yard and the option of bringing in an external contractor if necessary
• An on-site repair shop performing a vast range of mechanical, electrical and hull/fibreglass repairs to sail and power boats
• Dryland boat storage for the winter
• Winterization and Guardiannage Service both at Stones Marina and nearby locations
• An on-site Chandlery Store  for all your boating needs
• An on-site inflatable repair shop to maintain and repair all inflatable dinghies and paddle boards

Chandlery Store

Our new, larger chandlery store is now open with a huge range of haulout painting and cleaning supplies with antifoul paint from the top brands such as Interlux, Pettit and more. We carry a wide range of zinc anodes in stock at all times. Whatever we don’t have in stock we will be able to obtain for you at very competitive prices. (Usually overnight) We also carry sealants, marine polish, electrical & plumbing fittings and stainless fasteners such as nuts, bolts, washers, machine screws, hose clamps and cotter pins.

Haulout (Boat Lift/Hoist) and Storage Facility

Stones Boatyard is a professional, clean and environmentally friendly do-it-yourself haulout and marine repair facility. We’re a full service boatyard with one of the biggest marine travelift’s on Vancouver Island, capable of lifting boats up to 83 US tons/75 Metric tonnes, 85 feet in length and a 20 foot beam. Boat owners are welcome to work on their own boats, utilize our boat repair services or employ outside contractors.

We also offer winter dryland boat storage with monthly rates beginning in November until February 28th the following year.

Engine, Hull, General Repairs & Maintenance

Nanaimo Yacht Services: our boat repair division marine mechanics and staff carry out repair work and maintenance on your boat or sailing yacht from one-off repairs to ongoing care within our yard, at Stones Marina or in other local marinas. The services we provide range from engine and transmission repair and maintenance, to fuel polishing, and larger installations such as generators or a bow thruster. We also have a full staff to complete general labour tasks such as bottom painting, and zinc changes.

Inflatable Repair facility

From March 1, 2018, we are now offering the services of our Certified inflatable repair technician in our on site repair shop.

Contact us now to discover more and/or obtain your estimate and see the Contact page for our location and details!

Nanaimo Yacht Charters – Our sister company is Nanaimo Yacht Charters & Sailing School which offers sailing and cruising yacht charters around our 26,000km coastline, an unforgettable Pacific Northwest experience, as well as sailing courses accredited with International Sail & Power Association, International Yacht Training and Sail Canada sailing courses. See their website  for further details.

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Boat Painting Challenges - Yacht Services, Nanaimo Boat Yard

Boat Painting Challenges….

It’s a messy, time consuming job which can easily can go wrong if the paint products are applied incorrectly or if the wrong products are used. Some of the most common problems which come up are listed below:

Poor Quality Gel Coats Painted Badly

Owners of boats with gel coats will notice after a few years the surface may well begin to oxidise and chalk.  You can wax and polish your boat, but a few months later it will probably turn dull again. This is when people turn to painting. If the boat is painted well the results will be good and depending on the weather may last for many years.

If you’re tempted to do it yourself or use casual labour, think again. Use a yard where their reputation is sacrosanct and you will be able to see examples of their work.  A covered paint shed is essential for achieving a good result.

Dark colors have become popular, but be wary. Dark colors absorb much more heat than light colors so for dark painted areas it means the plastic will continue to cure.  This can result in shrinkage and serious damage to to the surface. 

Like all types of painting, preparation is key:

• Remove as much of the boat hardware as possible – window frames, cleats etc. Paint between the boat and the hardware will eventually crack and peel away.Avoid painting window frames and any stainless steel screws as eventually the paint will simply flake off.
• Remove all teak. Wood holds moisture so if you paint it eventually the paint will simply peel off.
• Remove all historical waxes that may have been absorbed by a porous gel coat. This is normally done by dewaxing and sanding.
• Fill all holes and scratches.
• Apply special primer coats to make the surface easier to adhere to.

At Nanaimo Boatyard this is a common problem people seek for us to resolve.

Blistered Paint

Finish Area is Showing Brushmarks

Paint Finish Appears Bumpy

Paint is Peeling Off

Paint Appears Matt (rather than gloss).

Come and talk to us about your painting requirements.

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Must visit places on a Vancouver Island bareboat charter: Valdes Island

On a Vancouver bareboat charter another island to explore in the Southern Gulf Islands would be Valdes Island, with its towering sandstone cliffs it is an impressive island to visit.

Where is Valdes Island?

Valdes Island is another of the Southern Gulf islands, found in the Strait of Georgia and sandwiched between Gabriola Island and Galiano Island around 25 miles southeast of Vancouver and it is a lovely place to stop by on your Vancouver bareboat charter to appreciate both the quiet and untouched environment of this beautiful island. There is no ferry service to Valdes Island, access is only by boat or seaplane and thus it is a very quiet spot.

History

The island itself is named after the Spanish naval office Cayetano Valdez y Bazan who first visited the island in 1792 when he was serving as a lieutenant on the ship Descubierta, he then returned again when he was captain of the Mexicana and explored the area along with Captain Galiano on board the Sutil (hence the names of both of these southern gulf islands!)

About Valdes Island

The island itself is very small and covers an area of just 9 square miles, being just 1 mile wide and only 10 miles long. The island appears inhospitable due to the being surrounded by steep cliffs and deep water, aside from a short stretch of beach at the southern end near Porlier Pass.

[mappress mapid=”5″]

The island has no water or electrical supply and the roads are restricted to forestry logging roads only, in spite of this the island does support a very small community of residents on the north shore in Starvation Bay, but the main population consists of vacationers coming to enjoy the peace and tranquility.

What to do on Valdes Island

There is a First Nations Reserve for the Lyackson First Nation, which is a small Salish community, at Shingle Point which covers around a third of the island. The island has around 60 sacred and protected archaeological sites and burial grounds, some of which date back around 5,000 years, which all visitors are asked to respect.

Wakes Cove is a Provincial Park on the island and is well worth a visit on your Vancouver bareboat charter, this 205 hectare park in the coastal Douglas fir ecosystem and protects a mixture of old Douglas firs, Garry oaks and arbutus trees, as well as being home to some endangered plant species. As well as offering numerous hiking trails and a protected anchorage it is a perfect place for some wildlife viewing and some great kayaking.

The Sandstone Galleries up on the north shore of the island are also well worth a visit from your Vancouver bareboat charter, with some spectacular sandstone formations carved over thousands of years to view.

Kayaking opportunities on Valdes island abound, and not only do you get to admire the impressive sandstone formations up close, it is also a great way of exploring some of the coastline.
If you fancy doing some Scuba Diving then there is abundant sea life to see, with large ling cod swimming amongst the colourful sea urchins, was well as Puget Sound king crab to admire hiding amongst the rock formations.

So another must visit place on your Vancouver bareboat charter!

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Holidays in Vancouver – Cycling and Sailing?

At Nanaimo Yacht Charters we often have people splitting their holiday between a yacht charter to enjoy the beautiful nature and the peace and quiet and some time in wonderful Vancouver. The most popular way of travelling for tourists and locals is by bike.

Vancouver is a fantastic place to get on your bike! The City of Vancouver have invested in over 450 km of bike routes comprising of bike paths and bike lanes on the roads. Investment is as a result of the Greenest City 2020 Action Plan. This plan was a visionary document to make Vancouver a global leader in urban sustainability. Amazingly, commuting by bicycle now makes up 10% of all trips.

There are all terrains from the flat areas of Stanley Park to mountain biking on the North Shore.

If you’re new to Vancouver and don’t like to plan, then you can simply get on a bike (with your helmet) and cycle. If you’re going outside of the downtown area  you may want to have a look at the City of Vancouver’s Bicycle Route Map & Guide. The map can be downloaded or picked up from a list of locations.  The website also provides information about road regulations and safety tips.

Many visitors head for the cobblestone streets of the oldest neighbourhood, Gastown. The area is a great place for food, fashion, coffee and people watching. Another popular area is the Chinatown and then on to Mount Pleasant, home of craft beer tasting rooms and boutique shopping.

The most famous bike routes in Vancouver is the paved pathway along the Stanley Park Seawall. It’s well sign posted and is fairly flat. If you’re looking for something more adventurous then north of downtown Vancouver is the North Shore which is known for challenging mountain bike trails; Mount Fromme, Cypress Mountain and Mount Seymour all have great trails which are well signed and established.

There are plenty of places to hire bikes around Stanley Park – mountain bikes, tandems, hybrids, mountain bikes and even electric bikes for those wanting to be on a bike but not have to push up the hills. There are rental places in Denman Street between Davie and West Georgia streets.

The City of Vancouver have also launched a public bike share system called Mobi which has pick up/drop off stations all around the downtown area.

1. Cycling in Stanley Park

2. Cycling the North Shore

3. Sunset Beach – False Creek – Kitsilano Beach

4. Central Valley Greenway

5. Jericho Beach – University of British Columbia – Pacific Spirit Regional Park

More>

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The Best of Vancouver Island’s Events for 2019

As we start to come to terms with the fact that we are firmly in 2019, we at Nanaimo Yacht Charters thought we would look ahead at the year to come in Vancouver Island, and share with you what events we are most looking forward to. When planning your yacht charter holiday, it is always important to keep an eye on what is going on inland. There are many fantastic events happening this year, and so we thought we would pick our favorites each month to share with our guests. Whether you are sporty or arty, a music lover or a food devourer, we have got you covered in our guide to the best of Vancouver’s events for 2019.

January

On January 26th head to Spirit Bay Visitor Centre in Metchosin BC for the Telling Stories: Tales, Text and Testimonies event. As the title may tell you, this is an event for the bookworms among you. The day will be filled to the brim with Canadian Authors, Artists and Activists. The event starts at 11am and runs until 2.30pm. This year, Antanas Sileika, Paul Budra, Sheeba Sawyer, and Kris Obrigewitsch will be there to read from their books, plays, cultural and historical offerings, and give insights into sustainable development. Spirit Bay itself is worth the visit as a contemporary village 40 minutes from Victoria which prides itself on being culturally and environmentally significant.

February

This is the month that Nanaimo Mysteries kicks off at Nanaimo Museum. The event runs from February 15th right through until the start of September. You can visit Monday to Saturday for a thrill seeking time exploring some of the many mysteries and playing the investigator. Examples include public hangings, corrupt policemen, and unsolved murders! You get to explore the history of Nanaimo in a fun and interactive way, and also do some myth busting whilst you are at it!

March

March is the month for foodies on Vancouver Island. On March 7th the Culinaire event comes to town. Hailed as Victoria’s Premier Food Tasting Experience, it really is an event not to be missed if you are travelling the area at this time of the year. You can sample all of the best food and drinks local to the region here, and even learn new cooking methods from some of the many local chefs showcasing at the event. This year it is being held at the Victoria Conference centre and there is an afternoon or evening event for you to choose from.

April

In April, we have chosen an event for the ecological inspired among you… Enlichenment! If you fancy learning about lichens then these sessions will satiate that desire. You will learn about the local ecologies and also how lichens can be used in food, medicines and even tools! Don’t know what lichens are? No problem, they start with the basics. On March 23rd you can take the introduction to lichens session with the more in depth session happening on April 6th. We know many of our visitors have an enthusiasm for nature and this course is a great way to get to grips with some of the local ways.

May

May is the month that the Cultural Heritage Festival happens. It runs from May the 18th to June the 1st. It doesn’t have a single location which means that as you are cruising the coast you are likely to happen upon a little part of it. Tofino, the Pacific Rim Nature Reserve, and Ucluelet are the main areas for exploring the different art forms that represent the culture of the West Coast. It is an interactive festival for visitors and locals to get involved in cultural practices and learn about the histories. In 2019 the theme is around the Japanese Culture on the island.

June

Forgive us here as we have cheated a little, as this event actually runs the third Sunday of every month, but we think June is just the perfect time to do it. Take part in the open day at Wildwood Ecoforestry project and learn about the great work the Ecoforestry Institute do there. This is a great day out for the whole family, to get back to nature, explore the woodland, and learn a little about the importance of greenery at the same time. Tours are given for a small donation and all money goes towards the projects and preserving the unique property. Arrive on June the 16th at 1pm for your magical tour of these beautiful woods.

Find out more at Nanaimo Yacht Charter and Sailing School

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