Originally posted on February 29th 2008
Many of you have been subjected to my long rants about the criminal lack of moorage in the Vancouver area. While I still believe that we sailors are faced with a almost insurmountable barrier to getting a decent place to put our boats I got some great news yesterday. SEA WEASEL has a new home!My current moorage at Mosquito Creek has been okay. The facility is functional and the staff have been great; but the commute from my front door to hoisting my sails is ridiculous:- 20-30 minutes to drive from home to the marina depending on bridge traffic.- 45-60 minutes to motor out to a point where I can sail depending on tide.- 45-60 minutes to motor back to the marina and tie up depending on tide.- 20-30 minutes to drive back home again depending on bridge traffic.I am usually committed to at least 3 hours for every sail. This makes Thursday night racing out of the question as I just get back to late. This also rights off any evening sails; and it is putting unnecessary strain on my old engine.Having been on the waiting list for every city marina for over 2 years I was beginning to feel hopeless. To compound the issue this year during the all important March-April turnover period I was going to be on vacation. However I listened to everyone who had successfully got into the marinas in the area and they said you have to show a interest to maintain your spot. They do not consider people who are merely sitting on the waiting list and not checking in. I went every month I was on the waiting list to check in at the marina and see what was going on; and yesterday was no different.I got to the Heather Civic Marina Office to check in to see if anything was afoot. Imagine my surprise when it turned out that a slip had just become available that would fit my boat. I nearly wet myself with joy. I got the slip R3 at Heather Civic Marina. Not only is Heather Civic in the heart of False Creek, it has restaurants and pubs close at hand, nice docks, friendly staff, and close proximity to my house; it also has a number of my friends moored there! Here is my new commute to go sailing:- 5 minute drive to the marina- 10 minute motor into English Bay- 10 minute motor back to the marina- 5 minute drive back home.Three hours has just been cut down to half an hour. Now I will be able to sail in the evenings and be more spontaneous with my sailing.I am hoping to be able to move my boat over to the marina on March 16th following the Polar Bear race.
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