Large Boat Rentals- Desolation and Broughtons

G

Gene&Mary

New member
We have been numerous places around the Georgia Strait in our C-Dory and previous Bayliner 2452 but are wanting to cruise with some other folks.....four of us.

Does anyone have any recommendations for yacht rental companies?

I have checked a few, mainly to determine their qualification requirements. Many want experience with a boat within 3' of the one you are renting; we're thinking high 30s to low 40s. I can certainly understand their experience requirements as I wouldn't want to put my boat with a company that would rent it to an inexperienced boater. Some say they would want to take me out for a day to verify my experience.....I sure don't want to spend the $s and flunk. Others have 3 day or 5 day classes.

I would think the main differences between small and large boats is in docking.

We're thinking either June or September to hopefully minimize the crowds and still have good weather. One place mentioned that they call August Fogust.

Comments, ideas, suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
Gene&Mary":3s9jzoz1 said:
We have been numerous places around the Georgia Strait in our C-Dory and previous Bayliner 2452 but are wanting to cruise with some other folks.....four of us.

SNIP

I would think the main differences between small and large boats is in docking.

SNIP
Click to expand...

Docking is only one of many considerations in deciding boat size.

Windage is a consideration in any boat. A tall decked boat will act as a sail that
you cannot furl or take down when docking and become a challenge.
A lengthy boat without superstructure will be much easier to dock than a smaller
boat with loft.

Then there is twin vs single engine considerations along with bow and/or stern
thrusters to aid in docking your boat.

A larger boat usually rides more comfortable in a sea than a smaller boat to
weather and in following seas. "Length is ride" is a common saying.

Hull shape, cruising speed, accommodations, amenities, intended use and
experience all come into play.

In short, consider "all" factors before deciding on size. Disappointment abounds
in the short sighted (per Grandma).

Aye.
 
Hi Gene& Mary,

Some folks here seem to be trying to talk you out of this... it would be for a rental, not a permanent situation.

I know there is this place in Anacortes that does yacht charters.

http://www.anacortesyachtcharters.com/

No doubt there are others, but that is the only one I'm familiar with. Running a larger boat takes a bit more forethought (inertia), but you might find that it doesn't "blow off" so quick with the wind; weight has some advantages. Since you already know how to handle your 22, you will adapt quickly to a larger boat. It would certainly be worth having a captain onboard to get your familiar with the boat and its systems. Any charter service is going to require that you show competency before they turn you loose in the boat.

Since you mentioned June and September, I assume you are talking about next year... you have time to do your homework. Maybe a trip to Anacortes to visit with a charter place in person will set your mind at ease.

I don't think you'll have to worry about "failing"... last summer, I visited with a family on a Ranger 29 in Roche Harbor. I complimented them on their boat and was told, "Oh, this is a charter boat. We've never owned a boat before." He told me he spent a day with a captain and then they turned them loose (Mom, Dad, 2 kids). They were having fun, but thought the boat was "too slow." I asked if they had any issue with the learning process... nope. There were things about the systems on the boat that they didn't fully understand, but he was shown "slow and deliberate" for docking and seemed to be doing fine.

Good luck with the process.

:roll:
 
I've chartered from Anacortes, Ledger, and someplace in Campbell River that I can't find anymore. You might call George at Campbell River Boat Brokerage (250) 202-0264. He would be tuned into what's available locally. You might as well charter from CR and skip the hours chugging up from Anacortes.

All the charter businesses were professionally run. No problem. The one time I had a problem wasn't the charterer's fault. They have boats in their livery that they manage for private owners (to help make boat payments?) and don't have any involvement with maintenance.

I chartered a boat out of Anacortes that didn't have a working oil pressure sensor on the flying bridge. The newly replaced oil filter was cross threaded by the owner, the oil slowly leaked out, and after about an hour of cruising it threw a rod down through the steel oil pan and out into the bilge. The bilge had a stainless drip catch pan, which may have stopped the rod from going out through the hull. We were towed back to Anacortes and had another boat the same day. So there can be other problems arising from chartering a boat that you are not familiar with.

Here is a list of businesses that might be of interest. There also might be something akin to "Vacation Rentals By Owner" now going on in the industry where rentals are available directly from the (brave or foolish) boat owner.
http://www.nwboatinfo.com/Charter---Lease.html But "finding" a boat and "safely operating" a boat are two different things. Getting the biggest boat with the least required experience might not be the best deal.

Speaking of good deals, there are always super cheap deals around for the truly adventurous. Buy a fixer-upper. Don't fix, just run it for the summer. Take it back to the same broker and sell it even cheaper. No experience required. No lessons. No qualifications. No maintenance. Just fuel. Do you feel lucky? Here's an example.

http://www.powerboatlistings.com/cgi-bi ... so=descend

$10.5K Use the boat for three months and sell if for $9K. $500 a month for a three month "charter" (plus tax and gas). For the truly adventurous.

Mark
 
You're right Jim. Just a rental. I'm not selling my C Dory.......yet.

Mark- thanks for the info on the Campbell River Boat Brokerage and the link to nwboatinfo.com. Lots of folks to gather information from. I'm not sure that I'm adventurous enough for your used boat purchasing idea. Besides we are only planning 2 weeks.

Couple more questions-

If we do get a boat in say Powell River, Comox or Campbell River, is a cruising speed of 8 knots enough to do justice to the Broughtons in two weeks?

What would you say are the main differences between handling my C Dory and a cruiser in the high 30s to low 40s?

Maybe this is a dumb question but, oh well, does single engine always mean single screw?

I've always heard that a single screw is hard to maneuver at docking speeds. At lower speeds your rudder is not much use. True, false?

With a single single screw is it really nice to have a bow thruster?

Thanks
 
If we do get a boat in say Powell River, Comox or Campbell River, is a cruising speed of 8 knots enough to do justice to the Broughtons in two weeks?
Click to expand...

Yes, but you will have to really watch the currents, and slack water at the passes

What would you say are the main differences between handling my C Dory and a cruiser in the high 30s to low 40s?
Click to expand...

Weight. will give more "carry". The boat will turn much less slowly.
If there is a keel, perhaps less effect of wind, but more of current

Maybe this is a dumb question but, oh well, does single engine always mean single screw?
Click to expand...

Yes, but I have seen some rigs with two engine on one shaft/prop

I've always heard that a single screw is hard to maneuver at docking speeds. At lower speeds your rudder is not much use. True, false?
Click to expand...

Yes, to some degree. Some displacement speed boats have a large rudder, the planing boats will have a smaller rudder. See below about handling at slow speeds

With a single single screw is it really nice to have a bow thruster?
Click to expand...

Yes, but remember that many bow thrusters may have an thermistor, and if overheat will time out. They are used judiciously when docking or deducing. I have owned one boat with a bow thruster out of several dozen single screw boats. I installed that one in a trawler which had a lot of windage.

Generally handling single screw boats in close quarters, one makes judicious use of spring lines, uses the prop "walk" or torque in one direction, especially in reverse, and short bursts of forward agains the rudder to move the stern to one side or the other. (Both backing and going forward). Backing you try and get sternway, and then short bursts to move the direction of travel of the stern.. With a small rudder, the boat will tend to back one way or the other. (Usually to Starboard)

Larger boats are not amenable to being pushed by hand--you have to use the engine and lines.

If you have no experience with larger boats of any type, it is advisable to hire a knowledgable person for a day to take lessons. It will more than pay for itself, if nothing else in less stress.
 
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