Vancouver Island Cruising Experience (VICE) 2023

There is no preparation for going offshore quite like being offshore. You can do this by joining VICE 2023 (Vancouver Island Cruising Experience).

About VICE

Each year a number of BCA vessels from all three chapters get together online to plan a multi-day offshore trip, usually in late June or early in July. They wait for a weather window on the West Coast of Vancouver Island before sailing out to sea. The idea is to leave in reasonable weather that is similar to what you will be experiencing on your offshore voyage. The boats head out into the Pacific for two or three days, sailing towards a selected GPS destination before turning back. This shakedown cruise will give you a chance to test your boats and yourselves – cooking, eating, sleeping, using offshore systems, communicating and keeping watch at sea – the skills you will need when you leave on your real voyage. VICE also gives you the opportunity to practice manoeuvres like heaving to and deploying a drogue or storm anchor – best practiced before Mother Nature puts you to the test!

Boats that participate in VICE are often looking for crew. This is a golden opportunity for boatless dreamers to experience life on board prior to buying and equipping a boat.

The Plan for 2023

VICE 2023 starts with boats gathering in Ucluelet on or prior to July 13. The plan is to depart on July 14 (depending on weather) for an offshore point approximately 100nm from the starting point and sail out and back in an effort to experience a proper taste of going offshore. The destination (GPS coordinates) will be finalized a bit closer to the time, depending on forecasted weather.

Registration and Information

If you are interested in joining VICE this year and if you have not yet registered, register as soon as possible.

To learn more about VICE, or read past reports from cruisers who have tried it out, or want to sign up (or put your name down as crew), please visit the VICE Group link here (you must be a BCA member to access the group).

To complete your sign up, you must:

1. Join the VICE Group
2. Register
3. Fill out the Google Sheet
4. Complete a BCA Liability Waiver for VICE