FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
The Barnet Sailing Cooperative is a non-profit, member-run organization where everyone shares ownership of the fleet—and responsibility for its care. Each member pays an annual fee that covers core expenses like moorage, insurance, and maintenance supplies. But being part of the co-op means more than just paying dues to sail.
Members are expected to actively participate by volunteering their time and developing practical skills. Whether it’s seasonal maintenance, pitching in during haul-outs, or fixing something that’s broken, everyone contributes to keeping the boats—and the co-op—running smoothly. It’s part of what makes this a vibrant, hands-on community of sailors.
Membership includes an annual sailing permit that provides access to any of the co-op’s six boats, as either crew or skipper (depending on your qualifications), all season long. We issue 75 sailing permits each year, and new memberships are only available when space opens up.
For qualified members with sailing permits, we offer day sailing, short to midterm overnight sailing, and a long-term (7 day) booking during the summer sailing season. Additionally, we offer Sunday Sails and Club Cruises throughout the year to sail with your fellow members.
| MARINA | NUMBER OF BOATS |
| Burrard Civic | 2 |
| Heather Civic | 1 |
| Reed Point | 1 |
| Thunder Bird | 1 |
| Westport (near Sidney) | 1 |
In summer, usually one of the Burrard boats moves to a cruising destination such as Pender Harbour, Lund, Point Roberts, Campbell River or other as voted by the membership. Westport Marina near Sidney and another one usually moves to Westview Marina in Powell River (or some other cruising destination).
Membership is full for the 2024/25 Sailing Season. Sign up on our wait-list!
We only offer 75 sailing permits, and a new membership is offered to the public only when a sailing permit is available. Our sailing year starts November 1 to October 31.
| Annual Membership Fee | Applies to all members and includes website access, meetings and socials, and voting rights. Current members who do not want a sailing permit for a given year only pay this Annual Fee, allowing them to remain in the Co-op. The member may purchase a sailing permit again in a future year. | $75.00 per year* |
| Single Sailing Permit | A single sailing permit grants the individual member sailing privileges for the year, including Club Cruises and Weekend Sails. | $772.00 per year ($847 including Membership Fee) |
| Joint (Family) Sailing Permit | A joint sailing permit grants the member, along with their spouse and children, to sail during the year, and for they and their spouse to participate in Club Cruises and Sunday Sails. Their children may also participate in Club Cruises/Sunday Sails, depending on the cruise/Sunday Sail skipper. While both the member and their spouse may attend meetings and socials and have website access, only the member has voting rights. | $1,076 per year ($1,151 including Membership Fee) |
| Initiation Capital Assessment Fee | The Initiation Capital Assessments fee is paid by a new member and is currently $1180.00. The fee is payable over 3 years. It helps to cover the costs of capital upgrades past and future for new members. This fee includes your Cooperative share valued at $1.00. | 1st Year – $590.00 2nd Year – $354.00 3rd Year – $236.00 |
| Boat Replacement Fee | This fee is covering financing for new/replacement boat(s). | single: $128.00 per year joint: $174.00 per year |
| Waiting List | People who pay the waiting list fee will have priority in order of how long they are on the list when applying for membership in the Co-op when there is a vacancy. Those on the waiting list do not have any sailing privileges nor any voting privileges and are not considered Co-op members | $40.00 |
As a member of the Barnet Sailing Cooperative, you’re not just signing up to sail—you’re joining a community built on shared effort. All members are expected to actively contribute their time and skills to help keep the co-op running safely and smoothly.
Most volunteer work focuses on boat maintenance, but there are also opportunities in training, administration, and event coordination.
- Single sailing permit holders are expected to contribute a minimum of 30 volunteer hours per year
- Joint/family permit holders are expected to contribute a minimum of 40 hours per year
We place a strong emphasis on hands-on maintenance. We believe that learning to care for the boats makes you a more confident, capable sailor—and strengthens the co-op as a whole.
Volunteer opportunities include:
- General maintenance: activities like cleaning, painting, varnishing are coordinated by the Fleet Captain or individual Boat Captains.
- Technical work: teams handle outboard and diesel engine repair, sail care, dinghy repairs, and electrical or plumbing troubleshooting.
- Knowledge sharing and leadership: as you gain skills, you’ll be encouraged to take on a role like Boat Captain, Team Lead, Orientation Skipper, Board Member, and run Sunday Sails or member-led classes
- Admin and events: help with behind-the-scenes tasks like scheduling, communications, or organizing social events.
All members are expected to participate in hands-on maintenance to better understand and care for the boats they sail.
Yes! You don’t need to be a mechanic or know how to fiberglass. What you do need is a willingness to learn, pitch in, and get your hands a little dirty. Whether it’s working on batteries, sanding, troubleshooting a motor issue, or helping clean and care for gear, everyone can contribute something. As your skills grow, you’ll be able to take on more technical responsibilities.
*If you’re not someone who enjoys hands-on work or learning DIY skills, a charter service might be a better fit than a co-op.
While prior sailing experience isn’t a requirement, many of our members have sailed in the past (and may need to brush up on their skills) or joined after taking Sail Canada’s Basic Crewing or Cruising Standard.
In the Co-op, we share our knowledge and skills. Less experienced members can learn alongside more experienced members. Some examples of this include:
- Crewing on Sunday Sails and Club Cruises with co-op Skippers
- Supported opportunities to practice skills like docking and anchoring
- Observing and taking part in the hands-on maintenance
All of which build familiarity and confidence with our boats.
To skipper a co-op boat, you’ll need to complete specific certifications (see below) and our co-op’s multi-step orientation process, but you can start as crew and learn as you go.
Sailing schools offering Sail Canada’s Basic Cruising Standard in Vancouver include: http://www.macsailing.com/, https://rpsa.ca/, http://www.simplysailing.ca/
Cruise and learn sailing schools offering Sail Canada’s Basic Cruising Standard in BC include: https://www.beyondsailing.ca/, https://bigbluesailing.ca/, https://blackfishsailing.com/, https://calmasailing.ca/, https://www.challengesailing.ca/, https://pacificswan.ca/,
More info: https://www.sailing.ca/sailing-schools/
While learning together and developing skills is a big part of our co-op, we are not a sailing school. However, when there’s enough demand, volunteers will often coordinate group training opportunities. These may include:
- General skills such as anchoring and docking
- Basic Coastal Navigation*
- VHF Radio Certification*
*Certification courses are provided by instructors and require additional fees.
To skipper a co-op boat, we recognize Sail Canada’s Basic Cruising Standard or an equivalent international certification that meets or exceeds this level. These international standards may include (be sure to check with us to confirm):
- International: ICC (International Certificate of Competence), SLC (International Sailing License and Credentials)
- UK: RYA Day Skipper and above
- USA: ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising) or US Sailing “Basic Cruising Course”
- Germany: Sportbootführerschein See (SBF-See)
- Belgium: Algemeen Stuurbrevet / Brevet de conduite général
- France: Permis Plaisance (coastal/offshore variants)
- South Africa: SA Sailing (SAS) Day Skipper
- Australia: Australian Sailing (AS) Start Skippering
To book a boat for a day sail, members must have:
- Sail Canada’s Basic Cruising Standard
- VHF Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate
- Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)
- Completion of the Co-ops Orientation I–IV (ask for a copy)
To book a boat for overnight or long-term use, members must also complete:
Co-op Orientation V checkout (ask for a copy)
