Vancouver Hybrid Club Night — Beyond the Horizon: A Pacific Circuit

As retirement approached, Bill Bourlet decided it was time to learn how to sail on English Bay. His love for boats had begun in childhood during summer holidays in Weymouth, England, where his family spent time aboard motorboats and later motorsailors.  Waking up on a boat at anchor and hearing the rhythmic slap of waves against a wooden hull was a magical and unforgettable experience for him.

Bill’s first experience as a boat owner was through a shared Cooper Mark I (a Catalina 27 built locally under license). The vessel was equipped with both a 9.9 hp and a 4 hp motor—neither particularly reliable. In those early days, he kept the Burrard Bridge in sight at all times to ensure he could navigate safely back to Burrard Civic Marina.

Keen to improve his seamanship, Bill completed the Power Squadron Chart and Navigation Course, followed by the Marine Radio Course. With his growing confidence, he purchased a 1995 Catalina 32, enhancing his sailing techniques with the guidance of Yvonne Harwood, a long-time member of BCA and a past circumnavigator.

After being introduced to BCA, Bill attended a presentation by Will and Sarah Curry, who shared their inspiring story of buying a yacht locally and sailing it to Australia within two years. “It’s all downwind sailing,” they said—it sounded so simple.  Encouraged by their story, Bill began his own search for an offshore yacht. Armed with a list of prospective boats, he soon found Music and it wasn’t long before the vessel became his own.

Join Bill as he recounts the culmination of his dream: his own offshore voyage, down the coast to Mexico, and across the Pacific to the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia.

Hybrid Meeting Format

In-Person Attendees (Check-in and Pay Cash at the door):

• Doors open: 7:00 pm, meeting starts at 7:30 pm.
• Cost: $5/Members, $10/Non-Members.

Virtual Attendees via ZOOM:

Click here to register for and purchase your virtual meeting ticket and receive the Zoom meeting invitation.  Please note that you must be signed in to the BCA website to get the member price.

• Virtual doors open: 7:00 and meeting starts at 7:30.
• Cost: Members – $5.00 per connected device; Non-Members, $10 per connected device, payable online (see link above).
• Note: Due to the small cost of virtual tickets, and an equal or greater cost to BCA of issuing refunds, no refunds will be issued unless Vancouver Chapter is unable to deliver the Club Night via Zoom.

For More Information and to Register – Click Here