By SHIRLEY HEWETT
Victoria Weeklies Contributor

n the Greater Victoria
area where almost every
neighborhood has a win-
dow onto the water, it’s
natural to dream of “messing
about: in boats.” If you dont
own a boat + and even if you

ally, salmon fishing has
ictoria’s highest-profile

dings,/rehearsal dinners, convention
tours/ retirement parties, Christmas

if Ee of how to entertain those out-of-
fown summer guests or repay those
winter social obligations.
/ The Oak Bay Beach Hotel was
among the first to offer gourmet
/ lunch and dinner cruises. Now
they ve expanded to a three-boat fleet
_ offering a choice of times and loca-
__ tions. Based at the hotel on Oak Bay's
Beach Drive, the 12-metre (41-foot)
M.V. Mesouda roams the shores of
nearby tree-tufted islands of
Chatham and Discovery, venturing
as far as Cadboro Bay and offering
breakfast, lunch and dinner cruises.

From the Inner Harbour, the 13.5-
metre (45-foot) catamaran Pride of
Victoria gives an urban outing, com-
bining dining with expeditions into
Esquimalt Harbour or, tide permit-
ting, up the Gorge waterway. Break-
fast and salmon fishing for small
private groups are accommodated on
_the 9-metre (31-foot) M.V. Tasu.

Another summer option is the
marine wildlife cruise out to Race
Rocks ecological reserve and Pedder
Bay.

Victoria’s Inner Harbour, however,
houses a variety of transit and

charter operations for virtually every -

purse and purpose.

The 40-metre (133-foot) steel-
hulled El Primero was the ultimate
in Victorian opulence when she was
built 99 years ago. Original gas
lamps, bevelled glass, white and dark
mahogany panelling, brass fixtures
and a pecan wood table with its six
leaves in the full size dining room
conjure elegant images of Teddy
Roosevelt and other American presi-
dents who have been royally enter-

ae

Into the Deep Blue, Victoria Weeklies June 17, 1992. Page 9

Getting on the water is easy,
even if you don’t have a boat

“ee Sw ie, =

ie? AOR BSE Reve:

COMBINING COMFORT AND STABILITY,
deloopen plies the waters of south Vancouver Island

M.V. Hin-

and the Gulf Islands. Charter vesseis such as these pro-

tained on this former steam yacht.
Because it can accommodate up to 80
people, El Primero is popular for wed-
ding parties — especially the second
_ or third time around.

Businesspeople have discovered
that larger vessels such as Primero
offer advantages. Some claim they
get more accomplished on a four-hour
charter than they would in two days
sitting around a boardroom because
they can focus their full attention,
without interruptions. Theyre en-
thusiastie because they're out there.
Some hold one or two hour meetings:
with flip charts, video cameras or
clipboards followed by cocktail par-
ties where they can relax and un-
wind. The corporate sector
permutations are endless and, by all
reports, highly productive.

Other craft based in the Inner Har-
bour include the Harbor Ferry, which
shuttles to Esquimalt’s West Bay —
a low-cost way to enjoy a short sea
outing surrounded by the bustle of
marine traffic.

For touring with a boat twist, try
the restored 20-metre (65-foot) clas-
sic tug Tsekoa, built for Public Works
Canada to repair floats and wharves
up and down the B.C. coast. Now a
liveaboard, Tsekoa has. overnight
capability to cruise to Vancouver
Island’s west coast and secluded
spots like Barkley Sound.

If sea lions, seals and sea birds ap-

peal, Seacoast Expedition’s rigid hull

zodiac will whisk you to Race Rocks,
where you can observe sea life at
close range at its own level.

A fleet of small yachts, both power
and sail, classic and contemporary,
ply the harbors of Esquimalt and Vic-
toria. Typical of these is Dave Gray's
11-metre (36-foot) sloop Misty Gray,
which works with the singles’ net-
work as one of its special group
niches.

Not all the action takes place in the
south however. The North Saanich
Peninsula holds several options at
distinctly different locations. One of
the most. enjoyable hot weather
getaways is Sidney Island with its
long, sandy, tidal spit stretching clear
up to the channel navigated by the
Washington State Ferry. Getting
there is no longer a problem, as the
Sidney Island Ferry kicks into ser-
vice for the summer season. And get
away you can. Despite its proximity
to Vancouver Island, there is usually —
enough space to allow for privacy and
solitude. It’s a great place to bring
children.

On the other side of the peninsula,
the serene Saanich Inlet beckons.
Unlike other locations, this long fjord
escapes most of the turbulence
generated by wind vs. tide. Another
bonus of Brentwood Bay, home port
for the 16-metre (54-foot) MV. Sea-
Jac, is the solitude of Finlayson Arm,
in the shadow of the Malahat Drive.
Here you can pretend youre in a Nor-

wegian fjord — until you spot the
j

vide a great way fornon-owne’s fo enjoy the fascinating
marine environment. —

killer whales which occasionally

frolic close to shore. Sea-Jac’s season

extends well into the fall and in-
cludes dinner cruises, weddings and
office parties. Surprise birthday par-
ties, especially 40th and 50th, are
another specialty. Added entertain-
ment is supplied by a pair of eagles
which the guides have trained to ap-
pear on whistle cue for herring
treats. Brentwood Bay also has a
number of small boat rentals for un-
skippered salmon fishing outings.
Just when you think you've seen
them all, there’s M.V. Hin-
deloopen. Based at Tsehum. Haven,
this 24-metre (80- foot) former Dutch
river-barge provides the ultimate in
unique excursions. Built in 1905, and
originally ketch-rigged to haul heavy
bulk cargo, its riveted wrought iron
hull and interior have been totally
restored and modernized to accom-

. modate a variety of charter options.

Combining comfort with stability —
especially important to the maturing
market — Hindeloopen offers a
variety of cruises including a lunch
cruise to Saltspring Island’s Long
Harbour and a Ganges adventure
with on-shore browsing time. There’s
also Tea at Sea and Evening Delight
featuring delicious desserts. Musical
instruments are encouraged to com-
plement the ship’s piano.

Taking advantage of all these
charter options could occupy your
spare time, and spare change, for the
next year. Enjoy!

Ge

* GOOD, FRIENDLY SERVICE *

GOOD TUNES

GREAT FOOD

1225 Esquimalt Rd.
eee |

Je