[Greg Buckmaster]

Hi, we are looking for places to launch our boat and park a truck and trailer overnight in the Vancouver area.
Any tips and tricks that any of you have we are more than open to.

Thanks,
Greg

[Kelvin Dueck]

How many nights are you planning on parking? If it’s a single night, probably Rocky Point in Port Moody would work. It’s a little pricey (I think $50 to launch).

If you are planning on spending a long time on the water . . .
1. For ease of access, launching in Blaine at the public boat ramp is your best bet. You can walk the boat on and off your trailer, and launching and parking is $12 US. This allows parking for 2 weeks (with an option to extend). However, this involves crossing back into Canada over the water (and back into the US), which can be cumbersome if you don’t have NEXUS.

2. The Ladner Ferry Road Boat Launch (Ladner Ferry Road Boat Launch) works well. It’s free, and you can park along the road for free. However, this requires you to exit the Fraser (and return via the Fraser). Not a problem usually, but if wind and tide are in opposition you can get 6 foot standing waves at the mouth of the Fraser. Still, on the way out you pass by Steveston. If conditions are looking unfavourable, simply duck into Steveston and tie onto one of the public docks. Take a nap, and usually by then conditions have improved. If worst comes to worst, overnight in Steveston (the rates are cheap) and head out the next day once things look better.

3. Some members have launched from North Van at Cates Park Boat Ramp, but I don’t know what the prices are.

[Caroline and Andy Sigrist]

Rocky Point in Port Moody is a good launch ramp, but the price is extremely high at near $ 50 per day to park the vehicle and trailer.

Cates Park in North Vancouver is also a good launch ramp and more reasonably priced at near $ 30 per day to park the vehicle and trailer, but has a limit of 4 nights.

MacDonald Beach ramp near the Vancouver airport is similar to Cates park in terms of pricing and maximum duration.

Steveston boat ramp is similar to the Ladner Ferry Boat Launch (it is just opposite on the Fraser River). It is not free, but reasonably priced (I believe it is less than $ 20 per day, but have not used it for several years).

If you are planning to stay for more than a few days, also consider to leave the vehicle and trailer in a storage lot (or private short term storage that can be found on Marketplace). You can then launch at Rocky Point, drive the vehicle to the storage place and taxi or Uber back to the boat. You are allowed to leave the boat tied to the dock at Rocky Point for 3 hours while you go park the vehicle and return to the boat.

[Greg Buckmaster]

Thanks, much appreciated.

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