The Sport of Kings and Other Things: On Naming Boats and Horses

Saturday was opening day at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver. As the names of horses were being read it made me wonder how these names were chosen, like the names of boats, the names of horses have a certain flare. It turns out registering a horse’s name is subject to a few rules, my favourite one being “A dead horse is not eligible for registration”.  When it comes to naming boats in Canada regulations also apply. These regulations are listed mostly as prohibitions, or as they are referred to in section 52. (3) of the Canada Shipping Act 2001, as “disallowances”. The disallowances for the most part make sense; are intended to avoid confusion and help to maintain safety on the waters.

Not withstanding the disallowances of the Chief Registrar, you can name your boat pretty much anything you like…unless you are superstitious, in which case you might need to consider another set of rules derived by ancient mariners.   These rules vary in their interpretation and application but at least a few of them have a rational explanation to accompany the superstitious one.  Some would tell you that you are NEVER to change the name of a boat however other people are less rigid on this point. We know that names are changed with some degree of regularity because Transport Canada has allowances for how to do this, and so do the traditions of seafarers. While Transport Canada paperwork has to do with keeping the registry of ships up to date, the older maritime traditions have to do with “The Ledger of the Deep”, the book said to be kept by Poseidon.

If changing the name of a boat, sailors are counselled to remove all references to the former name; this point extends not only to the name on the hull but also to every other place the old name may appear on the boat including documents and logbooks. Sailors are also admonished against uttering the former name on board the boat ever again. The logic of this rule seems to be a useful way of avoiding confusion. If a boat had one name on the hull and a different one on the logbook, it would be difficult to determine if the facts recorded in that book referred to one boat or another. Likewise in the case of accidents at sea, or the need to send a mayday signal, knowing the proper name of the boat you are on is essential. 

Not all boat owners show discretion in the choice of names for their boats, and as a result, subsequent owners may make the change right away; sometimes the name of a boat puts it in a category that almost precludes the boat being purchased again. Names that refer to how expensive a boat is to operate or names that imply danger or omens are likely to be avoided by potential purchasers, so consider that if you are naming (or renaming) your boat. You might want to run the name by a few folks around the yacht club or marina in anticipation of submitting your paperwork to register the name. A sampling of opinions beforehand might save you a lot of grief (and potential embarrassment) later on. If you are looking for help in brainstorming ideas for boat names, there are several websites that you might want to visit to get the creative juices flowing.  Some of these include:  1000 Boat Names,  Boat Safe.com and Cool Boat Names  or read the article by Bernie Weiss on the subject of renaming boats. You can also visit the Transport Canada Vessel Registration Query page to search for names which have already been assigned. Use your imagination, and remember, don’t choose a name that will get you into trouble with Transport Canada, Poseidon, or the person who might eventually want to purchase your boat.

I’ve Seen Grown Men Cry On The Day They List Their Boat

“…Admit that the waters around you have grown” Dylan said it; you know it’s true, and everyone had sensed it would happen eventually. You’ve outgrown your boat and know that it’s time to list but somehow just can’t part with her. In the end you need to do what’s best for both you and your boat. She won’t hate you if you decide she’s not the one for you; sometimes people and boats simply grow apart. When it’s time to move on, really it’s best that you do. Future posts will offer tips on the specifics of how to list your boat and cover issues you would be well advised to consider as a seller. Prior to that point though, many people may have to overcome an emotional hurdle before they can pick up a pen to sign the listing.

I’ve had more than one client shed a tear the day he listed his boat and while some of you might be surprised to hear that, others will know exactly what I mean. Before you pass judgement on these individuals (or yourself for doing the same) I might add that these guys were well adjusted, competent professionals who had achieved success in their careers, had families and were by all accounts really “normal”; they simply loved their boats and had a hard time parting with them. They were all avid boaters who appreciated the many great times they had captaining their boat; parting with her was just really hard to do. Add to the mix that they were suddenly forced to put dollar figure on their prized possession and you have all the ingredients for feelings of betrayal, guilt, shame and sadness. They knew deep down that they had outgrown the boat and that their quest for new experiences would eventually tear apart their relationship with their present boat, or would tear apart the boat itself. Boats are made for specific purposes and if you push a boat beyond where she is meant to go, everyone will suffer.

In a catfight between sea and ship, the sea will always win. Knowing this point is often what drives people to decide to list; they simply couldn’t see their beloved boat tested beyond her strength, and they could no longer ignore the call of the sea. In some cases, signing the listing agreement was like signing a writ of divorce, the process complicated by the fact that it was his quest for adventure that had brought them to that point. She was a really, really great boat and that was why he had fallen in love with her to begin with; she is a really great boat. Someone else with different boating needs will love her just the same, but somehow saying goodbye is never easy, even if what you are saying goodbye to is 50,000 lbs of fibreglass. When a boat gets listed the paperwork usually contains the hull number and the name of the boat. The seller inevitably has to look up the hull number; the name he knows intimately; it’s everything that the name stands for that makes it hard to say goodbye. In the lives of many seafarers, boats have a status that is not unlike that of a pet. We know they are not human, but there is a quality about them that is undeniable. That is why we name them; that is why some men cry when they write that name on a listing agreement.

Deciding to sell a boat is for some people is a very emotional experience which parallels a romantic break up on many levels. While admittedly the first time a guy cried on listing day I was a little surprised, on subsequent occasions I had come to expect it. I could almost predict the circumstances where it would happen. The boat inevitably would be really well maintained, the owner the type of boater who is confident in his skills and simply wants to move into a boat built to keep pace with his growing appetite for adventure. He would be the type of owner who knew his present boat and cared about how the next owner would look after her. He would beam with pride and often pull out photos of the great places he and his family had ventured to on board the boat. At that point the tears were almost inevitable. 

It was Antoine de Saint-Exupéry who said, “The meaning of things lies not in the things themselves, but in our attitude towards them.” He also said, “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea”. It is that yearning for the immensity of the sea that ultimately pushes the seller to list and move on to the next boat, which yes, inevitably evokes in him a similar attitude of love and devotion which will never be understood by non-boaters, but which has been known by men like Ulysses and Shackleton throughout the ages. So no you’re not a sissy if the thought of listing your boat literally brings you to tears. Check back soon for tips specific to listing. But for now relax, you haven’t gone crazy; choosing to sell a yacht really can be that emotional. When it’s time to take the leap, you’ll know; if it makes you feel any better, Ulysses and Shackleton would have felt the same in listing their beloved boats had the fates not intervened before they had to.

Galley Cook’s Night Off?

If you are stepping off your yacht tonight to pick up some butter and eggs for the galley, why not stop by Ousi’s on Granville  Street in Vancouver where the Butter and Egg band will be playing some of their favourite tunes. The band features vocalist Caitlin Toom, Michael Coury on Trumpet, Will Goede on Saxaphone, Cole Tinney on Piano and Marc Lindy on Tuba. Ousi’s serves Cajun and Creole dishes made with tasty BC ingredients. So if it’s the galley cook’s night off and you are at loss for what to do about it, this might be a good option to pursue. Show starts at 8PM. Reservations are recommended.

Thanks to Michael Coury for letting us know about this event. If any readers have other events or venues that local boaters or maritime visitors might enjoy attending, please drop us a note or leave a comment; remember to follow this blog and share a link with boaters you may know.

Selecting The Right Crew For Your Yacht

 

“The talent is in the choices” Robert de Niro

 As yachts become bigger and more complex, so too do the decisions which go into successfully operating them. After purchasing a yacht, choosing the best crew possible to operate it is perhaps the most fundamental decision a yacht owner can make; it is the decision from which subsequent ones will flow. Though many boat owners are experienced in hiring professionals within their own field of expertise, sometimes they are left at loose ends when it comes to hiring crew for their yachts. The time, research and energy needed to successfully recruit, interview, select and retain good crew can quickly begin to interfere with other obligations and take away from the enjoyment of owning a boat. Hiring a professional yacht crew placement company can go a long way to ensure that the job of crew recruitment is done well and in a timely fashion. The profession of “crew head hunter” is such a specialized occupation that many people initially may be unaware that these experts are available to help in the sourcing of talent. I caught up with one of these recruiters this week and thought you might be interested to hear what I learned in the process. More detailed posts on crew selection will follow in subsequent weeks but for now these thoughts might provide some insight about what goes into the selection of a crew which will meet your yachting needs.

Darcy Narraway of Yacht Crew Register, a company established inVancouver in 1995 says,“Selecting personnel for yachts is much more complicated than for a regular 9-5  job. Crew on board a yacht must work in close quarters; they must be comfortable working in confined areas, and at sea for extended periods of time. The chemistry of the crew is an essential element for a positive atmosphere on board. Yacht crew must have a good blend of the required training, relevant experience, mature personality and a positive attitude.” It is safe to say that if anyone of these elements were missing, the time on board would be much less enjoyable than it might otherwise be with the proper crew at hand.  Narraway goes on to say that the tension on board a yacht with an ill chosen crew be palpable.  “…everyone can sense it and no one enjoys it. [Conversely], “having a team that works together with efficiency and respect makes a yacht owner’s experience of their yacht simply PARADISE.”

In order to achieve that paradise on board, a considerable amount of background research is done to ensure a good match between the yacht, the crew and the needs of the yacht owner. Narraway says he prefers to “filter out the best possible crew for the position and make perfect placements the first time.”  In order to make that perfect match, effort is spent reviewing resumes for a record of longevity with past employers. He notes, “All crew are also required to provide relevant references of employers and co workers. Once letters of references are received, they are confirmed through our office.”

When asked what sort of training or experience is required from crew members before they are placed on a private yacht? Narraway had this to say: “STCW Basic Safety Training is required for all crew on board, which is available at most marine colleges in most popular ports worldwide. It consists of  Basic First Aid, Sea Survival, Basic Firefighting, and Social Responsibility. In Vancouver this is available through BCIT at their Pacific Marine Training Campus in North Vancouver. Every position on board a yacht has different licensing requirements depending on the position, the size of the vessel, and the flag of registry. There are often positions available for “entry level” crew with no yacht experience, however some experience in hospitality or recreational boating is preferred.

Even after the placement has been made, the job of the placement agency is not ended. Narraway says, “The yachting world is an intimate community worldwide. We are in constant communication with our clients, and assist with resolving any issues that may arise. Often our fees are collected only after a trial period has taken place, to ensure the competency of the crew we have placed, and their compatibility with the other crew. We also offer a replacement guarantee in the unlikely event there are “irreconcilable differences”.

In addition to making each trip more enjoyable and safe, Narraway says that it has been proven “that having permanent crew performing regular maintenance on board will maintain the value of their yacht, and SAVE dollars and precious cruising time, especially in the short summer seasons of our Canadian climate.” For boaters wanting to ensure that they maximize the quality and quantity of their time on board, while ensuring that their yachts are well cared for, hiring a competent crew can be an essential decision. If help is needed in selecting that crew, it’s good to know that it is available!

If you plan to throw your heart into boating, you might enjoy this lecture

Over my years in the yachting industry I have enjoyed meeting many seniors who would give most 40 year olds a run for their money; they are active, full of life and passionate about boating; they put their heart into everything they do and somehow that enthusiasm for living results in a happy youthful vitality that radiates from their faces. There is something about meeting an active 80 year old who is still into boating and loving every moment on the water; they are inspiring to say the least. If you are such a boater thanks for being so keen and for showing the next generation how to take care of ourselves so that we too can live a long and active life on the water. You obviously know a lot about how to keep your heart healthy and fully engaged in the pleasures of yachting.

For those boaters who would love to extend their days of boating as long as possible but are in need of a little information on how to improve their lifestyle, you might enjoy attending this lecture in the Anchor Room of the John Braithwaite Community Centre North Vancouver. It is the second lecture in North Vancouver Preventative Medicine Lecture Series and covers the topic of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention. The speaker, Ann Yew, PhD candidate, SFU department of Biomedical Physiology, will address cardiovascular disease etiology, development, and prevention, focusing specifically on clinically and scientifically validated dietary and behavioural prevention strategies.

The lecture is open to all boaters (and land lovers) of all ages, so bring a friend a spread the word about this great series:

Thursday, April 19th,6:45pm-8pm.

John Braithwaite Community Centre inNorth Vancouver, Anchor Room.

Admission free or by optional donation ( $0.25 – $2.00 ).  Coffee, tea, snacks provided.

Please arrive early to ensure yourself a seat.  

 About the series:

A lecture and discussion series on preventative medicine and public health delivered and facilitated by MDs and biomedical researchers. The premise is to discuss current recommendations and cutting-edge research from the academic and clinical spheres to ensure public awareness of the most effective and scientifically validated means of maintaining health and preventing disease.

 Lecture objectives include:  

• Enhancing the community’s interest in and knowledge of health and preventative medicine;
• Promoting an awareness of the determinants of health and causes of preventable illness;
• Empowering community members by promoting ownership of and responsibility for their own and their family’s health;
• Facilitating the transmission of ideas between medical practitioners, health-science experts, and the community;

Specifically, the lectures focus on improving community members’ knowledge of nutrition, exercise, air and water quality, environmental health, consumer-product toxins and safety, sleep science, mental wellness and stress management, as well as the prevention and mitigation of diseases of particular concern to Canadians. 

Hope to see you there!

Katrina Boguski M.A.

What Goes Into Selecting Art for Your Yacht?

…it turns out quite a bit more than you would have imagined

(Part 1 of a 6 part series on selecting art for your yacht)

Selecting a yacht that is just right for your needs is a complex process; you likely relied on the help of several professionals along the way to ensure everything went smoothly. Now that it’s time to outfit the vessel according to your tastes, it’s good to know that another group of professionals is available to help you with the task. Over the next several weeks I’ll be covering some select companies and individuals in Vancouver and the particular niche each one fills. Relying on the right person to provide the finishing touches will help to ensure that your yacht is everything you dreamed it would be. Today’s focus is on how to begin selecting art for your yacht. Whether your tastes are traditional or contemporary, classic or avant-garde, Vancouver’s better fine-art galleries have experts on hand to help guide you in your choice of art for your home, office, or yacht.

A few days ago I had the privilege of sitting down with Jeanette Langmann; those familiar with the local art market will recognize her name immediately. Jeanette is the daughter of Uno Langmann; she is also the president of the Art Dealers Association of Canada, and yes she is located right here in Vancouver. Her store (Uno Langmann Limited) is located at the south end of the Granville Street Bridge; if your day’s shopping trip includes a visit to the trendy South Granville row for fashion finds, you will be happy to realize how many galleries are located in the same district. Langmann’s is the first one on the South Granville strip as you leave the bridge; it is only 5 minutes from downtown. Be forewarned though, you could spend several hours in that gallery alone.

Langmann’s in-house collection of paintings, antiques, and objets d’art from the 18^th, 19^th, and early 20^th century is extensive and demonstrates their well deserved reputation in the art world. Uno Langmann was awarded the “Life Time Achievement Award” from the Canadian Art Dealers Association in 2007 and Jeannette has clearly benefited from growing up with such a father. Her knowledge of art is exhaustive, and her penchant for research is obvious. Any time you ask a question about a particular work, she is able to give you a detailed amount of history about the piece, the artist and the circumstances surrounding its acquisition by the gallery.

Although I had known the reputation the Langmanns have for their expertise in art, I experienced it first hand when I asked Jeanette about a painting on the wall of her gallery.  The painting  jumped out at me because it featured a ship. Our discussion quickly turned to the significance of the work not only as a piece of maritime art, but also because it records part of Canadian maritime history. The 1847 painting by British painter Samuel Walters (1811-1882) features the ship “The Frankfield” which had been built in New Brunswick for Thomas Wilson & Co. seven years before the painting was made. The ship was used for the company’s Australian service and more importantly was used for the Canadian service as well.  It was made of black birch, pine and spruce; she weighed 750 tonnes and usually carried about 350 passengers. There is a record of the ship arriving in Quebec August 9th 1847 with Captain John Robinson at the helm; on that trip she carried 528 passengers. The final record of the ship comes from Liverpool where the press recorded that Captain Robinson had died when his ship the Frankfield was wrecked off the “East Mouse, Cemaes Bay Anglesey in a terrible gale”. Jeanette pulled out a file on the painting which included copies of records of  from the British Parliamentary papers detailing the Frankfield’s arrival in Quebec in 1847. If there is a story behind a work of art Jeanette is surely going to unearth it and keep a paper trail of every detail.   Langmann’s office is packed with reference books and her knowledge is not limited to art. Having grown up in Vancouver, she knows an incredible amount about local history too. 

As we walked through the store and into its hidden recesses, we discussed several other paintings, artists and the process of selecting art for a given purpose. What I liked about my experience at Langmann’s was that Jeanette clearly respected the fact her individual buyers have their own particular tastes. They know what they like from an aesthetic point of view and she is able to guide them from that starting point. Listening to the needs of her clients, Jeanette is able to find a perfect piece for the circumstances. If the purpose of painting is merely to look pretty on the wall, one piece might do the trick. If however the piece is meant to round out a collection being assembled for investment purposes, a different one might be a better choice. As we will see in subsequent parts of this series, one must take several things into consideration when selecting art for yachts including environmental factors such as the moisture content of the boat; considering where the painting will end up is also a crucial factor in its selection.    

Whether you are an experienced art collector or venturing out for your first significant purchase, one thing is certain: having an expert to guide you through the process will be in your best interest. To begin the process, the best thing in my opinion is to start exploring the local galleries to get a sense of what you might desire if you do not have a clear idea already. Subsequent posts will delve into the offerings of a variety of Vancouver galleries; if you already know that your tastes tend toward pieces from the 18^th, 19^th and early 20^th century, Langmann’s would be a good place to start. If maritime art is on the shopping list for your library, living room or office, you will be able to select from a wide range of historically significant pieces at Langmann’s. On the off chance that you do not find the perfect piece in their holdings, Jeanette no doubt will be able to source a piece for you through her extensive network of connections in North America and Europe.  If your tastes fall outside the scope of their collection entirely, Jeanette will also gladly point you toward other local contemporary galleries which may have the ideal piece on display.

Stay tuned for the rest of the series on selecting art for your yacht and until then happy exploring in the Vancouver galleries. . If you have a story about how your art shopping excursion worked out for you I’d love to hear about!

Katrina Boguski M.A.

Duperron Navigates Another Successful Journey

Anyone who knows Dean Duperron can attest to the fact that he can chart a clear course toward his destination and always manages to attract the best crew along the way. Once again the Vancouver based Duperron Group has managed to demonstrate its propensity toward success as they announce the recent acquisition of  The Oaks at Cypress Station Apartment complex. This development is located at 1000 Cypress Station Drive in the Medical Centre of Houston Texas with hospitals and clinics located close at hand. The new Exxon Mobil campus will be opening nearby in 2015 bringing another 8,000 people to the area.  The Oaks is a gated community situated on 12 acres and has 41 buildings with 294 units; it is a mix of 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom apartments.  Amenities include 3 swimming pools, a club house, an exercise facility and 3 laundry mats…not a bad acquisition on any day.

Boating Vancouver is always proud to note the accomplishment of local businesses, especially when at the helm of such ventures people like Dean are found. In addition to this recent accomplishment, Dean is well known for his contributions to higher education and philanthropic causes in Vancouver. Over the past 20 years the Duperron Group has generously donated $20,000,000 to various organizations. Dean is always quick to share credit for his success and in the case of this recent purchase credits Lance Edwards (of First Cornerstone Group) who negotiated the successful bid process amidst heavy competition.  The project was awarded on the basis of a quick due diligence process and certainty in closing.

Dean is a visionary if ever there was one. His vision for the Duperron Group is to “leave footprints in the sands of time, which positively affect our society.”…I dare say he has done that in spades.  His hard work, forethought and commitment to the community make him one of the great treasures of the Vancouver business world and as such Boating Vancouver is proud to salute this recent accomplishment.

Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Members of Vancouver’s yachting community are for the most part a generous and fun loving crowd, therefore it comes as no surprise to me when I run into folks I know from yachting at a variety of interesting events around Vancouver; it also comes as no surprise to learn that many boaters are a active and generous patrons of the arts and higher learning in the city. So to all of those readers who fall into either of those categories, a hearty thank you for all you do to support access to cultural events in the city; and a special thank you to any boaters who might be supportive of the Vancouver Public Library or the VCC Jazz Orchestra. On behalf of everyone in the packed room of jazz lovers who came out to hear the free concert on April 2^nd , “THANK YOU!!!”.

I attended this concert last night and managed to snag one of the last remaining seats; those who came after me had to stand, and whether sitting or standing there was an ample amount of toe tapping and handclapping to indicate that everyone in attendance was having a blast listening to Alan Matheson and his crew as they offered up a hearty performance for us all. The program included songs such as “Rocks in My Bed” by Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael’s “Skylark” and Gershwin’s “I got Rhythm”.   The program was also to include “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” but that tune had to be skipped in the interest of time. As someone who has spent a fair bit of time between the devil and the deep blue sea, or at least the devil and the local marinas of Vancouver, I was disappointed to realize that this was the song that had to be sacrificed in order to keep the evening on schedule. It’s a great tune and I am certain the VCC Jazz Orchestra would have done wonders with it. My disappointment was tempered by the fact that the rest of the tunes were played, and were played wonderfully.

As I got to the concert just at 7:00 I only caught the tail end of Sue Moor’s appeal to the audience at the beginning of the program where she encouraged people to speak up if they wanted to see programs such as these free concerts continue at the library. So this is me speaking up to say that I for one think these events are a fabulous asset to our city; locals and visitors alike benefit from the enjoyment of great music and from the community that is built around such programs. If you are visiting Vancouver on your yacht you might want to checkout the events page to see what’s going on at our beloved library; the building itself is worth a visit if you are at all into architecture. It is also a good place to meet the locals of this town including many boaters. The Library’s ample assortment of books on cruising, boat buying and maintenance are always treasured resources for any current or would be boat owner in the city.

To Alan Matheson and crew: “We want you back!” We want to know all about your next several performances and we want to support this wonderful Jazz Orchestra that has attracted and cultivated the talents of so many great performers.  A special shout out to Alison Gorman, Marlena Kurek, Caitlin Toom, Cary McCaffrey and Michael Coury who added so much to the performance. As a special request I’m asking you to include “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” at the next performance I attend.

What’s Behind The Demand For Quality in Vancouver’s Yachting Community?

In conversations recently with people from a variety of industries catering to Vancouver’s luxury market, the subject of quality kept coming up. Regardless of which products we were talking about, one thing was clear: Vancouver’s luxury clients are demanding higher quality, better service and more value than ever before. This demand is raising the bar for local retailers and dealers. A distinct few of them are stepping up boldly to deliver on those demands and in the process are providing yet another reason for people to love this town. Those who arrive here via yacht will find plenty of local retailers willing to meet their demands once on shore, while those who keep their yachts in Vancouver year round may already have noticed that the quality of yachts in local marinas is significantly higher than it was even just a few years ago.

I had anticipated this trend when I entered the industry in 2004 and now I am convinced that the quality of boats in Vancouver will continue to rise dramatically in response to the demands of the luxury market. For people strolling the seawall around Vancouver’s trendy marinas, this point will mean more and more awe inspiring boats to gaze upon. For those purchasing boats locally the trend will mean access to manufacturers and product lines which have traditionally been reserved for the more affluent markets of the United States and Europe. All of this is good news for Vancouver and the people who boat here.

When you have a conversation about quality and cruising yachts, the name Tony Fleming is bound to enter into it almost inevitably. Trained as an aeronautical engineer, Tony’s involvement in the marine industry spans five decades. His commitment to quality stems from a vision of what is possible and from a strong understanding of what is practical. He adheres to design principles that are both pragmatic and magnificent in their simplicity; these principles add value to the lives of  boaters who operate the yachts derived from such fine beginnings. He listens to the comments of the people who own the boats he produces, working into each subsequent hull number the finer points he has learned from his clients’ experience. The result is a Fleming yacht. Fleming is one of those names I predict you will begin to see more of in the coastal waters of British Columbia. The boats are well suited to these areas; Flemings are a classic looking vessel with all of the most recent advancements in engineering and technology.

While other manufacturers may scramble to catch up to the new demands of  the Vancouver market, Fleming was always a step ahead.  His uncompromising commitment to his vision caused him to produce a yacht that was the kind of boat he wanted for himself. Built to his own exacting standards, he didn’t compromise on them or water them down to meet the lesser needs of a broader market. If you ask what is behind this demand for quality in the Vancouver yachting  market, it comes down to this: When one person says, “I will not compromise on the vision for what is possible.” It seems others eventually take notice. When others take notice they quickly form a group and that group sets the bar for the rest of the population to meet. When consumer demands are met by experienced manufacturers with similar visions, it doesn’t take long for the game to change dramatically. 

Long before the consumers of Vancouver demanded such a benchmark, Fleming yachts were built to “CE Ocean Class A standards”. In a chat with David Worland of Grand Yachts, he pointed out that Fleming has produced over 200 hulls. Worland said that when Fleming owners get together they don’t compare model years as other boat owner do, instead they discuss the fine adjustments that are continuously made to each individual hull number. Though the basic look of the classic low profile pilothouse is the same from year to year, the valued input from each new owner goes to improve subtle details on each subsequent boat.

Flemings are known for their quiet interiors and low vibrations; this lowers the volume necessary to conduct a conversation while underway and raises the quality of the boating experience. Low vibration also means less wear and tear on the boat’s components. They produce a 55’,  65, and a  ’75’. Look forward to a full review of the Fleming 55 shortly, but for now I just wanted to point out that Fleming is likely to be one of those boats you’ll see a lot more of in Vancouver very soon. It is ideal for Vancouver boaters and their growing taste for quality comfort and service. Kudos to those Vancouver boaters who demanded boats such as these, and for not compromising on your demands; sometimes you actually do get what you ask for!

If you are a Vancouver boater or visitor with demands of your own, be sure to drop me a note and I’ll happily consider covering that topic in an upcoming post.

Katrina Boguski M.A.