yachts vancouver

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Click here, what people had to say.

I enjoyed my experience working with Sam. He’s a knowledgeable, trustworthy, smart and reliable guy. He went above and beyond to help me out with some post-purchase tasks that I was trying to juggle. I also found your listing helpful as it provided a complete description of the boat and included a lot of good pics. Frank “

Sam is very professional and walked us through the process. He is a great asset to your team. Mike “

WELCOME TO VANCOUVER YACHT SALES

• Used boat sales
• Powerboat & sailboats for sale
• Trawlers, motoryachts, and expedition vessels
• Specializing in used sales of Fleming, Nordhavn, Cheoy Lee, Hatteras, Azimut, Ocean Alexander, Marquis, Sea Ray, Meridian, Selene, Carver, Navigator, West Bay Sonship, Defever, Canoe Cove, and other fine Motoryachts and Sailing yachts.
• Free online boat evaluation

Your full service yacht / boat brokerage based in Vancouver! We service the city of Vancouver and the greater Vancouver area, Vancouver Island including Victoria, Sidney, Swartz Bay, north west USA including Washington, and throughout North America via our sister companies owned by United City Yachts - we offer local representation with international reach. Now with locations across the country including Vancouver, Toronto, Georgian Bay, Kingston, and Montreal, United City Yachts is Canada's network for buying and selling yachts!

Vancouver Yacht Sales offers buyers and sellers an unparalleled level of service - Handling every aspect of your boat purchase/sale from the very beginning all the way through to the closing and after sale service. We appreciate your business and would love the opportunity to earn it by buying/selling one boat at a time. Please contact one of our friendly yacht / boat brokers today.

As experienced Canadian yacht brokers, Vancouver Yacht Sales is ready to work hard for you - to find the perfect pre owned yacht for sale, or to work as your broker to market and sell your existing boat. When you work with an experienced boat brokerage firm, like Vancouver Yacht Sales, you can feel confidence that the transaction will be handled by experts in marine sales.

Thank you for visiting the Vancouver Yacht Sales website. Whether you are in the market to buy a used sail or motor yacht or have a boat that you would like to sell, the advantages of working with Vancouver Yacht Sales and their Canada-wide yacht brokerage network are considerable.

At Vancouver Yacht Sales we live and breathe boats! No matter what kind of boat you are shopping for; sail boat, off-shore, convertible fishing boat, luxury yacht, high performance boat, trawler, or sedan bridge boat, we would love to talk with you and help you find the ideal boat.

Shopping for a quality pre-owned power boat on the west coast? Find the perfect used motor yacht to match your requirements at Vancouver Yacht Sales. No matter if you are on the market for an express cruiser, sedan cruiser, aft cabin cruiser, expedition yacht tug, trawler, sport fishing boat or sport fishing convertible, our yacht brokerage team will work closely with you, every step of the way. Our inventory of excellent pre-owned power yachts includes all the major boat manufacturers including Regal, Silverton, Meridian, Sunseeker, Neptunus, Carver, Norhaven, Sea Ray, Rinker, Nordic Tugs, Kadey Kroger, Hatteras, Doral, Cruisers, Maxum, and many more.

SEARCH OUR BOATS

Vancouver yacht sales is part of united city yachts, canada's yacht sales network with locations across canada to serve you.

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Buy and Sell with confidence using United City Yachts Industry leading Partner Network

With our partners at Walker Financial

Cross border transactions

Buy/Sell in the USA leveraging our partnership with Livingston International

Protect your funds

All transactions handled via a dedicated trust account at Baker Tilly, an internationally recognized accounting firm

Western Canada's Authorized Beneteau Dealer

Set sail with a new beneteau.

See the latest from Beneteau

We have high visibility docks

When it's easy to see, it's easier to sell..

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Our Reputation Speaks for Itself

Integrity with Results

Our Services

We at Grand Yachts Inc. are passionate about boating, we enjoy building relationships with our clients and we strive to meet their expectations.  

Our history runs deep and wide:  We have specialized in fine yachts since 1976 as a new boat dealership and a yacht brokerage with two locations in British Columbia — Vancouver and Sidney, on Vancouver Island.  The products that we have chosen to represent are high quality brands which suit the waterways and oceans of the Pacific Northwest.  As the world changes we adapt.

Featured Inventory

Grady-White

Chesapeake 290.

LENGTH: 30 ft

PRICE: $199,000 CAD

View Details

4788 Pilot House Motoryacht

LENGTH: 54 ft

PRICE: $299,000 CAD

65 Pilothouse

LENGTH: 65 ft

PRICE: Call for price

Ocean Alexander

LENGTH: 50 ft

PRICE: $324,500 CAD

LENGTH: 46 ft

PRICE: $875,000 CAD

LENGTH: 32 ft

PRICE: $109,000 CAD

Skylounge 630

LENGTH: 64 ft

PRICE: $775,000 CAD

Two Great Locations in B.C.

See our current inventory of sailboats and motor yachts.

Testimonials

Christopher friesen, beth and dave o'connor - bellingham, w.a. | beneteau 36.7 owners.

We recently purchased our Beneteau 36.7 with the assistance of Brad Marchant.  Due to the COVID-19 situation, we were unable to view the boat prior to purchasing it.  

Ralf and Helga Schmidtke | Fleming 65 Owners

Having decided after 30 years of sailing to change to power, the wide choice of brands made the selection task a daunting one. We wanted the most reliable, comfortable, safest, practical and best thought out boat that we could find. Attention to detail and quality was paramount, as was after purchase servicing. She also had to be an attractive boat that we could be proud of. After several months of extensive research, one name easily made it to the top.

Joel Nauss | 75’ President Yacht Owners

Craig and stacey | beneteau oceanis 31.1 owners.

Stacey and I both want to extend our gratitude for your help in acquiring "Margie." She is exactly what we were looking for, and the entire process was as seamless as you had described it would be. She did well on our trip from Anacortes to Kirkland.

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This is The Life

M & p yacht collection, featured yachts.

2022 Sunseeker Manhattan 55

• Sold & Delivered

2024 Prestige Yachts F-Line: 520

• Available Now

2022 Sea Ray Sundancer 370 Coupe Outboard

2024 Sea Ray SLX 310

• Check Availability

Since 1957, M & P has guided boaters to adventure and relaxation on the sparkling waters of the West Coast.

Our Yacht Centre is located on the Seawall at beautiful Coal Harbour Marina in downtown Vancouver, BC. As Canada‘s #1 Yacht Dealer, we delight in bringing you a truly unique West Coast Boating experience that pairs with your luxury leisure lifestyle.

M & P YACHT LIFESTYLE & ADVENTURE

Annual Owners Club Rendezvous

August 30 - september 2, 2024, m & p yacht resources & services, boater training & education.

New to boating or looking to improve your boating knowledge? Build your knowledge through informative videos and articles curated for our Yacht owners.

YACHT SERVICE & PARTS

Explore services offered by our award-winning Yacht Service department at Coal Harbour Marina in Vancouver, BC.

BROKERAGE SERVICES

Thinking about selling your boat? Learn about our hassle-free professional brokerage services.

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Welcome to Yacht BC Yacht Sales

We help our clients buy and sell boats .

We are a professional yacht brokerage based in Vancouver, British Columbia, with strong ties across North America.

Our specialty is customer service. We would love to hear about your boating plans.

Contact one of our brokers to learn more about how we can be of service.

FEATURED BOATS

123′ Broward Tri-Deck

Featured Listings

76′ Monk McQueen

70′ President 680 Skylounge 2005

“All Abordeaux” 2004 Ocean Alexander 610 Pilothouse Motor Yacht

57′ Californian Cockpit Motor Yacht

57′ Bayliner 5788

West Bay 52

Ocean Alexander 52 Pilothouse

Bayliner 5288

48′ Sea Ray 480 Sedan Bridge

43 Tollycraft Motor Yacht

42 Jersey Sport Fisher

Ranger Tugs R-41 CB

Queenship Aft Cabin

Nova 40 Aft Cabin – Sold

Gulf Commander 38

Bayliner 3888 Motoryacht

Stephens Triple Cockpit

Sea Ray 340 Sundancer

Sea Lord 34 Double Cabin Trawler

Regal 3360 Window Express

33 ft 2009 Stingher 10 meter

Back Cove 30

Commander 30

Bayliner 2859 Ciera Classic

Tollycraft 26 Sedan

Sea Ray 230 Signature Select

Chris Craft Speedster Heritage Edition

Scout 151 Dorado

Boston Whaler MONTAUK 150 – SOLD

Maxum 4600 SCB – SOLD

William Garden 43 Wanderer Class Trawler – SOLD

Boston Whaler Conquest – SOLD

51′ Navigator 2011 – SOLD!

Our business model emphasizes three things :, relationship with clients.

We enjoy getting to know our clients, hearing about how they like to use or dream about using their boats… and we develop relationships that last for life

Professional Marketing and Sales

Our team is focused on results and we have a very strong track record of matching boat buyers with boat sellers

Enthusiasm for Boating

We are located in one of the best boating destinations in the world and we are incredibly passionate about sharing it with others. You benefit from over 100 years of combined experience on the water. We know boats: where to go, what to do, and how to buy and sell them

Rob Langford

@robyachtbc

Shawn Sutherland

@shawnyachtbc

Lori Sutherland

Associate Yacht Broker

Jim Connolly

Jim Francis

Watch our videos, buying a boat.

Selling a boat

Click here to go to our YouTube Channel

“the re-sale market is strong and now is a great time for us to sell your boat , contact us today to discuss.”, for more information or questions, please contact us , quick links.

SHARE THE ADVENTURE

1957, m & p has guided boaters to adventure and relaxation on the sparkling waters of beautiful bc..

With three locations, world-class events and award-winning customer service, we are proud to offer the most popular, recognized and award-winning boats and yachts on the market today. Come experience your boating dreams and explore the best selection of new and used boats in Western Canada from 13' to 161'.

• Small Group Yacht Parties
• Dinner Cruises Vancouver

Birthday Party Cruises

• Christmas Dinner Cruises

Wedding Cruises

• Bowen Island Trip
• Fire Works Dinner Cruises
• Burials at Sea

Luxury Experience

A lovely relaxing cruise around the beautiful coast line or a fast paced and exhilarating race against over a dozen competitors in all types of conditions. With so many experiences on offer to cover both aspects of sailing, there is sure to be one for everyone.

Professional crews

Our professional crew is dedicated to providing the highest standard of service is an essential element of the ultimate onboard experience. Our sailing yacht crew are fully aware of their rights as a professional seafarer. Get in touch with Vancouver yacht charters.

Unique Service

Our friendly on-shore support team will ensure your charter experience runs smoothly and you can take advantage of the unique level of service from Vancouver Yacht Charters. Experience the thrill of sailing with the British Columbia premier yacht charter company.

highest standards

With our unparalleled commitment to the excellence, Vancouver Yacht Charter has become one of the most respected names in the industry. With the very best talent, & expertise, we are able to make dreams come true by designing the best charters dedicated to bespoke requirements.

We provide the best yacht charter tour service

Dinner cruises.

Our yachts rental service will host a corporate cruise that has everything starting from gourmet meals to relaxing music. Be it a formal occasion or a friendly gathering, you can always count on our cruise rental Vancouver to cater the best of the best.

Fun-loving souls always seek innovative modes of entertainment. Birthday cruises by yachts rental Vancouver are for the cool youngsters living inside you. Get onboard Vancouver Yacht Charters to throw a birthday party nobody forgets!

Celebrate this Christmas on a cruise. Sounds appealing, right? Vancouver Yacht Charters gives you the golden opportunity to enjoy the vibes of Christmas onboard a luxurious, fancy cruise together with your closest beings in the world.

Bowen Island Day Trip

Our Yachts rental Vancouver has been taking several happy customers over to Bowen Island for over 25 years now, and we know Bowen Island better than it knows itself! Pack your hiking shoes and biking gear to enjoy hours and hours of pure relaxation in nature, followed by a joyride in a luxury cruise with gourmet meals and a friendly staff.

Christmas Cruises

Bowen Island Day Trips

Our Yachts rental Vancouver has been taking several happy customers over to Bowen Island for over 18 years now, and we know Bowen Island better than it knows itself! Pack your hiking shoes and biking gear to enjoy hours and hours of pure relaxation in nature, followed by a joyride in a luxury cruise with gourmet meals and a friendly staff.

• 6 ½ hour day cruise to Bowen Island!
• Company / Group Full Day Trips!
• Groups to 100 people – minimum’s apply so call for details
• INCLUDED: Gourmet Picnic Menu, Docking Fees, GVRD Fees, Set Up and Equipment to Play Sports (choice of Volleyball, Bocce Ball, Soccer).

A Little About Us

• First-Class Vancouver cruises – Vancouver Yacht Charters is known for its gourmet cuisine, comforting music, open-air dining, dutiful customer care and blissful views guaranteed from every seat. Brace yourselves, because you are in for a real treat!
• Best Cruise Views in Vancouver –The view is to die for, and it will be useless to hop aboard if you do not get to see it in its full enchanting throttle. Our cruise rental Vancouver makes sure that your eyes will be gifted by the greatest panoramic views of the silent shores, the city blinking with lights, and the starry clouds right overhead.
• Awesome Cruise Team – Vancouver Yacht Charters is equipped with an expert cruise crew that has followed a special training program of survival and hospitality management. All in all, our yachts rental service has a staff that will treat you like family.
• Affordable Cruise Prices in Vancouver – Affordability has always been our greatest perk. Vancouver Yacht Charters is the popular choice of many, and the major reason is the reasonable price tags we have put up for each exhilarating experience. The exciting Vancouver cruise rental packages could be personalized to suit your preference, which is why a lot of customers find it easier to book with us than with another cruise rental Vancouver.

Vancouver Yacht Rental Tours

Ready to Set Sail with Vancouver Yacht Charters?

We had a nice sunset dinner party with these guys. Their service is amazing. The staff was always helpful. It was really nice to see the glittering lights of Vancouver from a luxury yacht. I wish I could do that again. If you are looking for a nice dinner cruise in Vancouver, Look no further. Vancouver Yacht Charters is the best of bests.

We would like to thank Scotty and his crew for delivering us a wonderful dinner cruise experience. We really had a wonderful party with our colleagues. We will highly recommend your service to anyone who is looking for renting a yacht in Vancouver to celebrate your event or party.

First of all, we would like to thank you and your team for the excellent service. We are so happy and we would definitely be a returning customer to your Yacht rental service. We have no hesitation in recommending Vancouver Yacht Charters for any of your party needs

Our videos have over 10 million views on YouTube. We sell boats throughout North America and can sell yours. BC representatives in Vancouver , Victoria , Nanaimo , Campbell River , Maple Bay , Comox

Boats for Sale Vancouver & Vancouver Island BC

2023 custom seal bay lc 40.

CAD $599,900

Length: 40.5 ft

Style: Landing Craft

Location: Campbell River, BC

1935 fenner & hood heritage cruiser 70.

CAD $375,000

Length: 68.31 ft

120′ Maple Bay Boathouse

CAD $350,000

Location: Maple Bay Marina

2005 tiara yachts 3600 sovran.

CAD $320,000

Length: 36.3 ft

Style: Express Cruiser

Location: North Vancouver, BC

1972 hatteras 61 yacht fisherman.

CAD $299,000

Length: 61 ft

Landing Craft 40 Custom

CAD $249,900

Length: 40 ft

Style: Commercial Fishing Boat

1999 Sea Ray 420 Aft Cabin

CAD $240,000

Length: 42 ft

Location: Ladysmith, BC

1999 bayliner 4788 pilothouse.

CAD $229,900

Length: 47 ft

Style: Pilothouse

Custom Float Home

CAD $224,900

Length: 44 ft

Location: Quadra Island, BC

1999 sea ray 400 sedan bridge.

CAD $198,000

2008 Grady White 300 Marlin

CAD $152,500

Length: 30 ft

Style: Walk Around Cabin

1988 Bayliner 4518 Motoryacht

CAD $150,000

Length: 45 ft

Style: Motor Yacht

1998 Carver 355 Aft Cabin

CAD $145,000

Length: 35 ft

1988 Albin 43 Trawler

CAD $139,000

2021 Victory A6

CAD $114,900

Length: 20.75 ft

Style: Aluminum Fishing Boat

1990 Camano 31 Troll

CAD $109,400

Length: 31 ft

Style: Trawler

2022 Galaxy P7

CAD $105,000

Length: 21.83 ft

Location: Sidney, BC

2016 boston whaler 210 montauk.

CAD $99,200

Length: 21.33 ft

Style: Center Console

Location: Duncan, BC

2005 glacier bay 2685.

CAD $89,500

Length: 26 ft

Location: Nanaimo, BC

2000 sea ray 290 amberjack.

CAD $79,999

Length: 29 ft

Style: Cruiser

1988 Tiara 3300 Open

CAD $79,995

Length: 35.67 ft

1975 CHB 34 Trawler

CAD $74,900

Length: 34 ft

2023 Custom Aluminum

CAD $59,900

Length: 17.5 ft

1978 Northwind 41 Command Bridge SC

Length: 41 ft

1984 Tollycraft 34 Tri Cabin

CAD $59,000

Style: Flybridge

1997 Bayliner 2859 Ciera Express

CAD $49,900

1968 Trojan 3700 Sea Voyager

USD $49,500

Length: 37 ft

Location: Vancouver, BC

1991 carver 2808 aft cabin.

CAD $49,000

Length: 32.75 ft

1999 Bayliner Ciera 2855

CAD $34,900

Length: 28 ft

Experience the ultimate luxury of yacht ownership with the help of Lions Gate Yachts. As experts in cruisers, motoryachts and sailboats, our brokerage services cater to both sellers and buyers. Our extensive knowledge, combined with our commitment to excellent customer service, ensure a smooth and satisfying transaction every time.

We provide financing for boat purchases and many other marine related financing.

Please contact us to get financing.

Yacht detailing

Our detailing team are experts in making a yacht look like new again. Please contact us for a quote.

Boat Insurance

Our Marine Insurance partner is ready to provide you with the best options for your specific needs. Please conatct us for a quote.

Yacht delivery/Sea Trials/Training

We have qualified captains at your service.

Expert Consultation

Our experienced team at Lions Gate Yachts understands the unique needs of boat sales. We provide expert consultation to help you find the perfect boat that suits your requirements and preferences. With our in-depth knowledge of the industry, we can guide you through the process and ensure a smooth and successful boat purchase.

Customized Solutions

At Lions Gate Yachts, we believe in personalized attention to every client. We take the time to understand your specific needs and tailor our services accordingly. Whether you are looking for a luxury yacht or a sport fishing boat, we offer customized solutions that meet your budget and lifestyle. Our dedicated team is committed to providing you with the best possible experience.

Our Commitment

We are confident in the quality of the services we provide. Our priority is to ensure that you are happy with your investment and enjoy your time on the water. With Lions Gate Yachts, you can buy with confidence.

Island Boats for Island Folks

Powerboats to sailboats, playthings to practical, we connect Island Folks with Island Boats.

Featured Vancouver Island Boats for Sale

Browse a pair of featured yachts currently offered by Kelly Yacht Sales. To view all boats for sale, head over to our boat listings page.

2006 Ocean Alexander 64 Pilothouse

1994 Hunter Legend 40.5

Vancouver island yacht brokerage.

Thinking about selling or buying a boat? Kelly Yacht Sales can guide you through the entire process with a no-nonsense approach.

Sell With Confidence

Yacht Selling Services

Let us sell your boat so you can keep your time to yourself. We are a professional, full-time yacht brokerage and are here to take care of the details of selling your boat.

Explore Selling

Discover Your Dream Boat

Yacht Buying Services

Vancouver Island offers exceptional boating. We’re here to help you make informed, educated decisions when purchasing your next boat.

Explore Buying

Boats for Sale

Explore Our Current Listings

Take a look through the current selection of boats brokered by Kelly Yacht Sales.

Recently Sold by Mark Kelly & Kelly Yacht Sales

About Kelly Yacht Sales

We’re the folks who help put Vancouver Island boat sellers and boat buyers together.

Our Mission Whether you’re a seasoned boater or new to the world of yachting, Kelly Yacht Sales aims to be a trusted partner on your boat buying and selling journey.

More About Us

Our Approach We get to know the boats and the folks we’re representing and then get to work pairing those yachts with buyers that fit.

Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a yacht? Just like everyone’s home is their castle, we believe everyone’s boat is their yacht, so we define a yacht as any pleasure craft not used commercially. From a 14’ aluminum skiff to an ocean-crossing trawler, if it’s a pleasure craft, it’s a yacht.

Do you sell brand new boats? We don’t. We specialize in locating and selling new-to-you yachts, but we’re not a dealer for any specific brand.

Do you provide support for assessing boat condition? Absolutely. We work with reliable surveyors and mechanics who will help you make informed decisions when both buying and selling your boat.

Do you take my boat out with potential purchasers? No. We only leave the dock when there is a signed Yacht Purchase and Sales agreement and we have received a 10% deposit.

Have another question? Just contact us through this site and we will be happy to assist you.

Articles & Insights

Browse a collection of articles about boating, including details on the process of selling and buying yachts.

What Does a Yacht Buyers Broker Do?

Say Hello to Kimberly Kelly, Owner of Kelly Yacht Sales

Get started with kelly yacht sales.

Buying or selling, we’re here to guide you through the entire process.

Boats, mermaids and more: Five reasons to check out the Richmond Maritime Festival

Now in its 21st year, the free two-day event features live music, art installations, puppet shows, art exhibits, interactive shows and performances

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Article content

Richmond maritime festival, boats, mermaids and more: five reasons to check out the richmond maritime festival back to video.

When: Aug. 24 and 25, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Where: Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, Richmond

Info: richmondmaritimefestival.ca

Every year Steveston celebrates its nautical and multicultural history with the Richmond Maritime Festival. Now in its 21st year, the free two-day event features live music, art installations, puppet shows, art exhibits, interactive shows and performances and more. Here are five reasons to check it out.

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Major draws of the festival, the restored heritage boats never fail to stoke the imaginations of young and old alike. Among this year’s vessels are the 102-year-old SS Master tugboat, the oldest working wooden-hulled, steam-powered tug in the world. Returning favourites include the MV Gikumi, which has 70 years of almost continuous service on the West Coast. New to the festival this year are Midnight Sun, a herring and salmon seiner; Saffron, a 34-foot motor cruiser; and Sandra Jean II, a reconditioned fishing troller.

No maritime festival is complete without at least a couple of mermaids, and this year’s has four at last count. Mara the Musical Mermaid, a.k.a. singer-actor Erin Palm, hosts a storytime for the kiddies. Lulu the Mermaid, presented by puppeteer Jesse Stanley, also performs for the younger set. And don’t miss the Cannery Mermaids, a duo who will swim and sing their way through the afternoon crowds.

Medieval folk rock and Japanese city pop

Unfamiliar with these music styles? Well, you still will be after seeing Rainy Night Troubles. Although these “true Richmondite musicians” who “love performing in the Richmond community” count both of those genres among their repertoire, according to the festival. Instead they’ll be performing a maritime-themed set of folk rock for the festival. C’est la vie.

Tornado Truck

It was difficult to choose just one from the more than 10 food trucks scheduled for the festival, but in the end we had to showcase the mobile eatery that serves spiralled and spiced potatoes on a stick. We’re only human.

Hiroyuki Koyanagi

From 1928-1949, Hiroyuki Koyanagi took about 1,000 photos depicting life in and around Richmond, fishing along B.C.’s coast, patients recovering from tuberculosis in the Tranquille Sanatorium in Kelowna, and the internment of Japanese Canadians. Kevin Takahide Lee has created an installation of printed imagery and documents from Koyanagi that will provide a window into some of the changes in the province over the past 100 years.

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Vancouver Island Dragon Boat festival ready to unlock 'inner hero' of competitors

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It has been a busy year of events for the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club, which is staging the third and final installment of its dragon boat season on the Gorge Waterway this weekend.

The Vancouver Island International Dragon Boat Festival opens Saturday at the club’s home base on Jutland Road, the same stretch of water where Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Race Series events were held in May and July.

The upcoming two-day event, founded in 2014, will be held between the Point Ellice Bridge and the Selkirk trestle, and is free for the public to attend. “It’s great sport to watch,” said Erik Ages, race director and general manager of Fairway Gorge Paddling Club.

“For one thing, the venue is so great for spectators because all of the races are fully visible. From start to finish, you can watch the whole thing.”

The Vancouver Island International Dragon Boat Festival is one of two dragon boat festivals held in August, but is the only one staged by Fairway Gorge Paddling Club.

The Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival, staged by the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival Society and presented by Fairway Market, was held Aug. 9-10 in the Inner Harbour but with much more of a community-event focus.

“I think what distinguishes this event is that it’s a celebration of dragon boat paddling,” Ages said. “It’s an end-of-season tribute to all of the race formats people have trained for throughout the year.”

The racing will be competitive as it is presented pentathlon-style, with races of 1,500-metre, 500-metre, 200-metre and 100-metre distances, along with a flag relay. The five-race format was designed for paddlers by paddlers, which ups its appeal for those who want to test their competitive spirit. About 800 athletes on 33 teams from the U.S. and Canada will take part.

There’s no shortage of athletes who train specifically for Vancouver Island International Dragon Boat Festival. Dragon boat racing has become a worldwide phenomenon in recent years, along with outrigger canoe racing (race boats in the former are distinguished by the dragon face that adorns one end.) Several members of Fairway Gorge Paddling Club are in Hilo, Hawaii participating in the world sprint championships, which adds to the growing legitimacy of dragon boating as an elite sport on Vancouver Island, Ages said.

“I think one of the distinguishing features of dragon boating is that people get to experience a sense of valour. It so rarely happens in everyday life these days, where you can experience that sense of inner hero. It delights me seeing people experience that for themselves.”

In July, rising production costs prompted Fairway Gorge Paddling Club to move Nanaimo’s South Island Dragon Boat Festival to the capital region for a year, which led to some confusion (it will return to Nanaimo next season, on better financial footing, according to Ages.)

Many dragon boat festivals is far better than not enough, he said. “Throughout my career in this sport, I’ve always known that dragon boat paddlers love to race. First and foremost, that matters most to them.”

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Paddlers learn environmental lessons while exploring Lake River, Vancouver Lake on big canoe tours

Participants eager to learn about local waterways, nature.

With a mixture of excitement and nervousness, Vancouver’s Chelsea White and Hayes Guay from Vancouver nonprofit Columbia Springs quietly waited at the Felida Moorage boat launch Thursday morning. This was to be their first time on one of Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership’s “big canoe” paddling trips.

The pair first heard about the canoes at an environmental network meeting.

“I want to see all the birds and nature and have experts on the boat with us to explain everything,” White said.

The 1½-hour-long paddling trip on Lake River was the perfect opportunity. White and Guay were among two dozen local adults and kids to sign up for Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership’s last trip of the season open to the public. Each canoe can accommodate 12 adults or 14 to 16 adults and children.

The trips are hosted by the estuary partnership and the city of Vancouver’s Water Resources Education Center. Other program partners include the Port of Vancouver, Clark County, Oregon State Marine Board and city of Portland, to name a few.

“I’m a newbie to the environmental world, so I’ll be learning a lot today,” White said.

Guay said she was also looking forward to learning about the environment from an expert.

“I haven’t been out on Vancouver Lake or Lake River before, so that will be a treat,” she said. “I don’t totally know what to expect.”

Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership has hosted 57 paddle trips this year with another seven planned before the end of the season in October. Of those, four trips were open to the public. The group primarily works with youth organizations.

Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky, spokeswoman for the estuary partnership, said the nonprofit often works with “community groups that historically have not had access to river experiences, on-water experiences.”

Before setting off, staff from the Water Resources Education Center and estuary partnership help properly fit each of the paddlers with a life vest and then provide some basic paddling instructions and information about what to expect and see on the trip.

McKenzie Miller, environmental education coordinator for Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, said the canoe trips are a great way for people to get introduced to nature.

“Part of the goal is just to provide access for folks that don’t own their own canoes or kayaks to get out on Lake River and Vancouver Lake. We hope that with giving folks access that they become more interested in our local waterways,” Miller said.

Staff from the Water Resources Education Center sit at the front of the canoes to educate the paddlers on the local natural history and point out the various species of birds, fish and other wildlife spotted during the trip.

However much fun it may be, she said there’s more to the paddling trip than watching for osprey, bald eagles or herons. Paddlers also learn about Lake River, how it’s influenced by the Columbia River, where it flows into the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and Vancouver Lake, and some of the issues around preserving and protecting native species.

“We provide information about water quality, and we spend a lot of time looking at the birds. This is a great place for birding. It’s also providing that spark for interest in local wildlife,” Miller said.

Each canoe is outfitted with several sets of binoculars and books on native birds to make spotting wildlife a little easier.

White said learning more about the local waterways and wildlife will come in handy later.

“When I go out with friends and I’m able to point things out, I feel very cool,” she said with a laugh. “I know what that plant is or whatever.”

Bill Lide of Vancouver has participated in other education programs offered by Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and Vancouver.

“It’s a nice benefit of living in this area,” he said. “I don’t know birds very well, but I enjoy seeing them.”

Miller, who has been with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership since 2005, said staff field many of the same questions on these trips.

“People are wondering if the water is safe to swim in. They want to know what wildlife live here. They are curious about where they can rent boats, how they can do this on their own,” she said.

Miller said the types of questions depend on the age group of the paddlers.

“Sometimes, we’re working mostly with kids, and they want to know if there are alligators in the water or if hippopotamus can survive here,” she said.

By comparison, Miller said adults tend to ask about cyanotoxins and what’s being done to reduce or eliminate the presence of blue-green algae blooms.

In the nearly 20 years Miller has been taking people out on the water, she’s seen a lot of changes — both good and bad. Although she doesn’t have any data to prove it, she said there do seem to be more blue-green algae blooms now than when she first started.

“One positive change is that people seem to have more access to affordable boats, so people are getting out on the water more,” she said.

Vancouver resident Anand Tawker said he was lured to the paddling trip by “the opportunity to be in nature, to explore my community. It’s a part of the community, the place I live in that I don’t get to explore much.”

Like others on the trip, Tawker was especially interested in bird-watching.

“I love the bird life around here. I’m particularly partial to raptors so I’m hoping I’ll see a bald eagle,” he said. “It’s always a grand sight.”

This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism , a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation . Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj .

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Body of British tech magnate Mike Lynch is among those recovered from yacht wreckage, officials say

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PORTICELLO, Sicily (AP) — The Italian coast guard said Thursday the body of British tech magnate Mike Lynch is among those recovered off the coast of Sicily from the wreckage of a superyacht whose builders had called it unsinkable.

One woman remains missing. The bodies of Lynch, who had been celebrating his recent acquittal on fraud charges with his family and the people who had defended him at trial in the United States, and five others were recovered by rescue crews following Monday's tragedy.

The Bayesian, a 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged yacht, went down in a storm early Monday as it was moored about a kilometer (half a mile) offshore. Civil protection officials said they believe the ship was struck by a tornado over the water, known as a waterspout, and sank quickly.

The chief executive of The Italian Sea Group, which owns the Bayesian's manufacturer, said superyachts like these are “the safest in the most absolute sense.”

“First of all, because they have very little surface compared to a yacht facing into the wind,” CEO Giovanni Costantino told Sky News on Wednesday. "Second, with the structure, the drift keel, they become unsinkable bodies.”

Investigators are now looking at why the Bayesian sank, killing at least six people. A seventh remains missing.

Fifteen of the 22 people aboard survived, including a mother who reported holding her 1-year-old baby over the waves to save her.

Divers have struggled to find the bodies in the yacht’s hull on the seabed 50 meters (164 feet) underwater.

“We would need a crystal ball to know when we'll be able to find the next body," said Luca Cari, spokesperson for the fire rescue service.

“It's very difficult to move inside the wreckage. Moving just one meter can take up to 24 hours,” Cari said.

The Associated Press

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