“Nautical & Nice” by N&J

Vancouver, BC (Mar 18/24) – Some of our avid followers would recall N&J owning a 33′ sailboat named HERMES back in the latter ‘twenty-teens’ https://westfaliajournal.ca/itchy-feet-by-n-j/, later a purchase of a Whistler home that required major renovations (and lots of blood, sweat & tears) …thus the sale of that same boat (no time for sailing, only renovating). It has been years since those house renovations were completed & there always a yearning for another boat …well yearn no longer N&J.

About half a year ago, N was pondering about the possibility of having a small place in Vancouver to use when we visit the city, hotels are brutally expensive ($400+ a night) and the restaurant bills can add up quickly. Then came an idea of a condo ‘on the water’, that could also be taken to the islands if need be …and quickly the plan developed to look for another boat.

Lots of bantering between N&J regarding what kind of boat (power or sail), power being a bit more conventional with lots of daylight (large windows to see out); whereas a sailboat is lower in the water, usually less outlook (smaller windows) but also is a lot more environmental & quieter (less fuel required when you have wind power).

click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery

After months of looking at different options, they discovered & settled on a sailboat… a 2005 Hunter 41DS. As chance would have it there were two identical Hunters for sale in BC, both on Vancouver Island (in Maple Bay & Nanoose Bay). After much back ‘n forth negotiation, it was finally determined they were successful on getting the boat to be named ‘SPIRIT BEAR’ .

This boat is much different than a lot of sailboats, the cabin inside has 7 feet of headroom (normally you would be lucky to get 6 feet); a plethora of large windows (10) & skylights (8) that give plenty of light & ventilation. The boat come with 2 staterooms, w/queen size beds, both with their own bathrooms (heads in nautical terms) with sink & showers. Huge salon with dining for 6, a sofa, Bose Audio/DVD with a surround sound speaker system and a Samsung HD TV. A spacious galley (kitchen) is equipped with double sink, separate fridge & freezer, 3 burner stove & oven, microwave & a very large pantry built into the wall.

Of course it is equipped with ALL the nautical stuff, GPS, chartplotters, depth sounders, speedo, radar, AIS, marine radio, pumps, water tanks, holding tanks, diesel heater, solar power system and …and when the wind is not blowing there is a Yanmar 4 cylinder 54hp diesel engine to propel the boat.

N&J were fortunate to have found a beautiful slip in False Creek, on the north side at the Beach Avenue Marina (near the Vancouver Aquatic Centre). It comes with underground parking, water, power, wifi internet & pump-out with a gorgeous unobstructed view of Granville Island Market across the water… the perfect location for a ‘condo on the water’

Jesse (the cat) seems to have ‘accepted’ this new lifestyle, not necessarily overjoyed, but he immediately chose his sleeping spot on his first visit to the boat (a little alcove high atop a clothes locker in the fore cabin). He now regularly patrols the decks all around the boat, walking the docks (intently watching the schools of minnows in the surrounding water) & trying to jump on all other boats (nope, not going there!!!). Particular caution is paid to the ‘always lurking’ harbour seals that are looking for a quick lunch or shall we say a ‘Jesse Snack’.

So between HOBBES (the camper van) & SPIRIT BEAR (the boat) there will not be a lot of spare time.

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