2 - Sunday, June 11, 1989 - West Vancouver Villager Ghoosing what kind of boat to buy means making some tough decisions LIVING ON the coast, it naturally occurs to many of us that we should be enjoy- ing a closer relationship with those sparkling salty waves below us. But boats are like dogs there’s so many kinds that it can be hard to include them in the same species. To choose one you have to start by considering the kinds of activi- ties you're likely to enjoy on the water. If you want to do more than pile a canoe or dinghy on your camper, the first decision is whether to join up with the sailors or the power boaters. They’re two very distinct groups. “With sailing, you're down close to the water being splashed by the waves. You have to be aware of your environment, rely- ing on nature,’’ says Joanne Savory, secretary of the Hollyburn Sailing Club, where she keeps her little Topper. Roy Donaidson of Harbor Yacht Sales notes that power boaters are interested in getting to their destinations and then fishing or water skiing. “Sailors are interested in the process of getting there — and they love the quietness of sailing,’’ says Donaldson. Ernie Bernard deals in power boats -at the Boat Centre, and notes that his buyers are busy peo- ple who may work six days a week and do not have the time that sail- ing requires. “*You can get to Pender Harbor in two hours rather than eight or nine (sailing) and go fishing, and then you don’t have to depend on Mother Nature to get you back,’’ he points out. Sailing also requires a certain amount of training and skill, though Donaldson thinks it is more relaxing than power boating which requires you to look ahead Watch MANY WEST Vancouver homes have a good view of what’s hap- pening in the Port of Vancouver. To satisfy the curiosity of avid SUNDAY MONDAY JUNE 11 13 Sagafjord (7-5:45) Regent Sun (8-5:30) 20 Nieuw Amsterdam (7-6) Rotterdam (7-6) 27 Star Princess (8-5) Regent Sun (8-5:30) 2 4 Sagafjord (7-5:45) Universe (8-5) * Rotterdam (7-6) 10 il Fuji Maru (8-6) TUESDAY Nieuw Amsterdam (7-6) Nieuw Amsterdam (74) N. Amsterdam (7-6) Nieuw Amsterdam (7-6) vigilantly for deadheads. Some sailors will prefer a trim spartan number for racing, while others want a more comfortable lay-out for touring with the family. Cruising is the most popular sport with boats ranging from 20 to 50 feet, and an average size of 27 to 35 feet. Second time buyers, tired of crouching, will often want to buy-up past 26 feet to a size that allows for some headroom. participating in Hollyburn Saiiing Club races and camping weekends from New Year’s Day, on. Sailing small boats, however, requires careful planning around weather conditions (you’re more exposed to and more at the mercy of the elernents). The local market for sailboats tends to be predominated by se- cond hand sales. **You can usually get a good boat for far less. money,’’ boats predominate and second handers are hard to come by. A popular feature, particularly for fishing enthusiasts, is the cen- tre console. This usually involves a boat with the steering wheel in the middle, surrounded by a large open area. Power boats, manufactured locally and abroad, range in size from 18 feet to 100 feet or more, although 20 to 32 feet are average buys. Photo Neil Lucente BUYING A boat seems a natural investment when you live right near the water, but when it comes to actually choosing the type snd size of your craft, the decision isn’t so easy. There's a lot to consider when making such 2 major purchase. Joanne Savory, above, enjoys a sail off Ambleside beach in her 12-foot English Topper. Others, like Hugh Johnston of Hollyburn Sailing Club, have lost their ‘‘crews’’ (the kids have grown up) and may decide to sell the big boat and go for a small racer. “Racing is a way of honing your skills and it gives you a chance to try things you might not do if you were thinking carefully,” says . Johnston, who is out on the water or ships ship-watchers, the West Vancouver Villager has supplied the following grid showing when the different cruise ships enter and leave the 14 15 Star Princess (7-5) Westerdam (7-6) 22 Westerdam (7-6) 29 (7-6) 6 Westerdam (7-6) 13 (7-6) WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Sea Princess Sea Princess Westerdam (7-6) Sea Princess Westerdam (7-6) | & Star Dancer (7-5) Donaldson has found. . : New sailboats (from the U.S. and eastern Canada), even homebuilt ones, are terribly expen- sive, while used models often have radios, cooking facilities and other features that former owners have added. The opposite is true in the power boat market, where sales of new in port harbor. For more information on the ac- tivities of the Vancouver Port Corporation, telephone 666-4786. FRIDAY SATURDAY 16 17 Regent Sea Noordam (7-6) (8-5:30) Pacific Prin. (7-6) Daphne (8-4:30) ; Fair Princess (7-6) & Star Dancer (7-5) 24 Noordam (7-6) Island Prin. (7-6) Fair Princess (7-6) JULY 1 Noordam (7-6) Pacific Prin. (7-6) Fair Princess (7-6) 23 Daphne (8-4:30) * Star Dancer (7-5) 30 Regent Sea (8-5:30) Daphne (8-4:30) * Star Dancer (7-5) 8 Noordam (7-6) {sland Prin.{7-6) Fair Prin. (7-6) * Star Prin. (8-5) 14 15 Regent Sea (8-5:30) | Noordam (7-6) Daphne (8-4:30) | Pacific Prin. (7-6) Fair Prin. (7-6) & Royal Viking Sea 7 Daphne (8-4:30) * Star Dancer (7-5) The numbers in brackets are arrival - departure times. Please note that early in the season, several Princess ships are staying more than one day. Most of the ships dock at Canada Place. The (*) ones will be at Ballantyne terminal. Waterskiiers tend to prefer out- board motors, which can get the boat up to a speed of 40 knots. Inboards are less efficient and boast an average speed of 25 knots. Hugh Johnston recommends that second hand boat buyers have their prospective purchases check- ed out for hidden damage or struc- tural problems. “If your engine quits out in the bay you can’t pull over to side and call B.C.A.A.,”" he warns. A survey may also be required by the buyer’s insurance company and bank, and many will only ac- cept work done by a naval ar- chitect, journeyman shipwright or marine engineer — as in the case of Barry Smith of North Van- couver. The cost, depending on the size of the boat, can range from $150 to $3000. Hulls made of ferro—cement or “stone boats’? ave completely x- rayed. “Some of the home-built hulls, if not done right, are not worth a dime,’’ says Smith. Fibreglass hulls are checked with a moisture meter and by sounding. If de-lamination is suspected (the layers of fibreglass coming apart) Smith may recommend that a plug be drilled out for analysis. Repairing de-lamination can be expensive, as with blistering, which can occur when the outer gelcoat layer is permeated by salt water, creating a reaction with the ace- tone in the fibreglass. Still, Smith thinks highly of fibreglass as a boat material, followed by aluminum, which is subject to problems caused by electrolytic and galvanic action. Surveyors, who charge out from $60-90/hour will often refer the engine check to a marine mechanic who works for $45-50/hr. “1 also recommend the buyer take the boat out for a sea trial be- fore hiring a surveyor,’’ says Smith. Other problems that Smith sees can have to do with dangerous use of propane for stoves and heaters (he prefers alcohol stoves) and in- adequate and infrequently in- spected fire fighting equipment. Donaldson at Harbor Yacht Sales often reminds boat buyers of the extra costs accompanying their purchases starting with moorage. See More Page 9 Hang onto your wedding. 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