Vancouver, BC Liveaboard - Help!

[farotherside]

Hey folks,

I'm about to embark on my liveaboard adventure - my apartment is rented out as of May 1st, my furniture is all sold or loaned to friends, my studio is dismantled, my deep freeze is empty. All that remains is my desk, my bed, and a few tupperware containers of can't-get-rid-of stuff (artwork, etc) to go into long-term storage.

Problem: I won't have moorage. I'm intending to anchor in False Creek part-time, and travel around the rest of the time. It kind of makes sense, since I don't have a car, and have a long list of friends with couches should I need to get off the water for a night or three. This may be a huge mistake, but it's something I think I have to try.

So here's my questions, in order of priority:

- I don't have a watermaker. Where's the best place to fill up my water tanks around Vancouver? Should I expect to have to pay for this service, or is it free with diesel fillup, or what?

- Where's the best place to fill up on diesel?

- Aside from False Creek, where else would you recommend for anchoring? I've seen folks anchored around Jericho Beach, and a friend has recommended over near the mouth of Indian Arm. I'm a bicycle-only guy, so I'm both looking for anchorages near to "stuff" (restaurants, transit, etc) and quiet, private anchorages an hour or three away, where I can sit for a few days and get some serious work done.

- Anything else you can recommend?

I'm aware that there's a stigma attached to live-aboard folks with no permanent moorage (my friend refers to them as "sea carnies"), but I'm planning to do my best to keep my boat beautiful...

Anyone on here doing this in the Pacific Northwest?

[jackdale]

Before anchoring in False Creek you had better read:

Anchoring in False Creek - Blueways

Fuel and Water

http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/streets/...falseCreek.pdf

Water is usually free with a fill

Jericho Beach is very exposed and becoming an issue

There are anchorages in Howe Sound.

Jack

[farotherside]

Hey Jack,

Thanks for the reply! I'd actually studied that False Creek page very closely before even considering anchoring - it was quite surprising, as pretty much everyone I talked to understood it to be illegal to anchor in False Creek even overnight. It was a big part of my decision to move aboard, the discovery that I could anchor (with a permit) so close to home for two weeks at a time.

Re: that False Creek info PDF - I was under the impression that the fuel docks under the Burrard Bridge are gone now. Are they still there? If not, can I still get water there?

[jackdale]

Drew

You are right, that was a ESSO fuel dock. I guess your next choice will be Coal Harbour.

Jack

[highseas]

After 5 years of paying moorage,starting May1 ,I will be a true "citizen of the sea".Squamish is a great place to moor if you can get a slip,a mostly fresh water harbour.Now I move on to my lifelong dream/adventure of sailing back to Mexico ,and this time,beyond.Locally, Gambier Is. has some good anchorages,Gibsons is o.k. for anchoring,a little rolly,its good for fuel and water..You could probably get away with Indian Arm for short term,not around Deep Cove though.Without watermaker ,hauling waterjugs becomes a pastime.Between now and Aug. you can find me under sail,or at anchor in one of the Gulf Is.