INSPIRING CONFIDENCE
A professional yacht brokerage that strives in a team-oriented environment with your interest in mind. That is who we are.
Not only do we represent leading new boat brands, but we are also knowledgeable in all facets of helping you navigate through the aspects of brokerage sales. Whatever it is that makes your heart sing, we are here to help.
When we first opened our doors on Granville Island in 1994, the only thing we started with was an empty office with 2 old desks and our passion for sailing. We were determined to turn our love of sailing into a viable business. Years later, our integrity and commitment have carried us through.
Dave Bonar
President
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Being on or near the water has been a constant in my life, even when landlocked for many years in Alberta. I grew up in a boating family, helping my dad maintain and restore boats playing deck hand and fishing guide in Northern BC waters. These days, my family and I spend as much time as we can on or around the water, particularly making forays across the Georgia Straight to Valdes Island where we are restoring an “off the grid” cabin.
Much of my professional career had been in Health Care Marketing and Business Development, and my transition to yacht sales and management has allowed me to marry my avocation with my vocation. I truly love being able to help clients with every stage of their boating experience and in finding the right boat to meet their needs. When the time comes to move on from your current boat, I will ensure that your boat is presented in the most effective and appropriate manner in our current cluttered market.
I look forward to working with you on your boating dream!
Mike Carkeek
Yacht Broker (Vancouver Island)
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My introduction to sailing was nothing short of fantastic. I started sailing at the age of 8 in South Africa when my school principal included sailing as an official school sport. Right through school and college, sailing and rugby was my life. Our Christmas family holidays always involved traveling around the country as I raced in various Provincial and National regattas, collecting hardware along the way. If I was not on my laser, I was offshore racing in 30ft swells along the African coastline generally on foredeck duty.
Moving to Vancouver in 1994 only fueled my love for sailing as it was the first time I actually went cruising. I loved it. I’ve enjoyed the last twenty years teaching, racing and cruising in the beautiful waters of British Columbia with my wife and three kids.
After moving to Vancouver, I became a certified ISPA sailing instructor. I found myself helping past and present students, friends and even strangers choose the boat of their dreams. It became pretty obvious that this was my calling and in 2011 I sold my retail business and became a yacht broker as a profession.
I take great pride in ensuring a seamless experience for my clients throughout the purchasing or selling cycle. My objective is for you to enjoy boating and not to worry about the transaction: leave that to me.
David Bossu
Service Manager (Vancouver)
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My story with boats started in 2008 when I got a job as a service technician on sailboats because I wanted to learn how to sail. Little did I know that I would grow to become service manager and commissioned 100s of brand new and used sailboats. I assume my role as a support for the sales team, and technical consultant for our customers.
Having long reaching arms in the local marine industry, and over 12 years of experience, I can help you with any technical question you may have.
When I am not working, you will find me somewhere in the mountains, on a bike, rope or on skis, foraging for wild mushrooms or brewing beer at home!
Richard Hargreaves
Yacht Broker (Vancouver)
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Boating has been a part of my life for a very long time. I crossed the Atlantic in 1967 and have been hooked ever since. My first “real” boat experience started in an 8′ row boat. In 1979 I was living aboard my own boat and working in the local boat building industry on everything from Reliance 37’s, Cooper 416’s and Maple Leaf 56’s to a 65’ Huntingford design.
I started racing in 1981 and haven’t stopped since. Over the years, I’ve won many manjor races in BC. In 1988 I took my passion of boating and my skills of building and refitting and began my career in yacht sales. Over the past years, I’ve been a fleet captain, VARC rep and a BCYBA Director. Having owned 14 boats personally, I am very familiar with the process of buying and selling.
If you are looking for someone to either help you find the right boat or sell your current boat I offer a lot of knowledge and a positive attitude you can depend on now and in the future. I still have clients from 1988 when I first got into this business. My job is to take the stress from you so you can make your decisions based on knowledge.
Max Shaw
Yacht Broker (Vancouver Island)
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Max comes to Yacht Sales West from many years of experience as a skilled instructor, leader and project manager. With 49,000 nm of boating on both coasts of North America, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and Europe, he is a Yachtmaster Offshore Instructor and commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster Ocean/Master of Yachts 200GT. When he is not teaching sailing, he can also be found on the water at the helm of an RCMSAR Fast Rescue Craft or enjoying the BC coast with his family in their Stevens 47 sailboat. Max is a Certified Professional Yacht Broker (CPYB) and a member of the BCYBA and IYBA.
Prior to boating full-time, Max had a successful career in the Canadian Armed Forces as an Aerospace Engineer, culminating as a Lieutenant Colonel commanding an RCAF squadron. After a rewarding 23 years in squadrons, ships and headquarters, Max and his wife decided they needed a new adventure that they could share with their children. He and Elizabeth soon embarked on a seven-year, 36,000 nm voyage around the Pacific, taking their family of four, and then five, through Mexico, the South Pacific, and Micronesia before returning to Victoria via the Aleutian Islands and the Alaskan coast. Their travels were documented in the media in forms as diverse as CBC, Global TV, Latitude 38 and Pacific Yachting.
He has a BEng in Mechanical Engineering, an MSc in Flight Dynamics, a Masters of Defence Studies and was certified as a Professional Engineer. When not out boating, he enjoys kiteboarding and camping with his family. They are members of the Ocean Cruising Club, the Bluewater Cruising Association and the Canadian Forces Sailing Association. You can read about the adventures of SV Fluenta and her crew at SV-Fluenta.blogspot.ca or see their images at @Fluentasailing.
Max lives aboard with his family in Port Sidney Marina and is ideally positioned to help you head out on your own adventure no matter how big or small.
Elizabeth Shaw
Yacht Consultant (Vancouver Island)
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Elizabeth has a deep connection to the ocean – she was born into a seafaring Maritime family and spent childhood summers sailing at her cottage in Prince Edward Island. She expanded her skills through RYA certification in the UK, Caribbean charters, cruising in the Pacific Northwest, and racing in Nova Scotia, before embarking on a 7.5-year, 36,000 nm voyage around the Pacific with her husband, Max, and their children. Their third child was born in Mexico, celebrated his first birthday in New Zealand, and turned six the week they returned to Canada.
Elizabeth’s role at Yacht Sales West is unique. Although she is a BCYBA-qualified yacht broker, her true passion is education and coaching, and she specializes in helping couples and families to navigate the transition to a cruising lifestyle. She is also a sought-after speaker and conducts seminars and workshops at Yacht Clubs, Boat Shows, and other audiences across North America. Clients appreciate the way her off-shore experience, technical background, and empathic communication style help them develop the clarity and confidence necessary to set off on their own adventures, whether local or worldwide.
Before immersing herself in the yachting world, Elizabeth served for 23 years as a Communications and Electronics Engineering Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces retiring as a Major. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics from Queen’s University and has earned professional designations as a Professional Engineer (PEng) and a Project Management Professional (PMP). She is also a mentor for the Offshore Cruising Club, a host for the Seven Seas Cruising Association and a member of the Bluewater Cruising Association. You can read more about her adventures at SV-Fluenta.blogspot.com @FluentaSailing
Elizabeth’s unique blend of experience and enthusiasm make her an invaluable resource for aspiring boaters and she looks forward to helping you make your cruising dreams a reality.