So, here's the deal. I've just returned from the bank with two thousand dollars in my wallet. Tomorrow morning I'm heading to Port Coquitlam to buy a new RHIB.

This after my Aquapro RHIB & Evinrude 4HP outboard were stolen from the University compound down at Gyro Park. Yeah, I couldn't believe it. I went down there to check on T2 after a series of big storms in December, only to find the police on scene and my equipment gone.

Someone had used a grinder to cut through the locked gate and sever the 3/8" chain I had my boat and motor locked to the dinghy rack with. Pretty brazen for an old boat and motor. I soon find out, I got a killer deal on a very good quality dinghy. We bought it privately for $900 from a kid on Ten Mile Point.

Anyhow, after much searching, I was contacted by a guy in Port Coquitlam who sold Pacific Coast brand (his own) until he went out of business recently. He has the remainder of his new stock in a storage locker and he's selling me a 9 footer for $2000 cash.

That'll leave me with a thousand for a new outboard. I paid $350 for the 4 HP, 2 stroke that was stolen. So when it's all said and done, I'll come out of this with a really nice package.

This photo was taken shortly after we bought the Aquapro. Nice dinghy!

$350 at the 'Massive Marine Garage Sale' a couple of April's ago.

A great little tender for exploring the Gulf Islands.

Update: 01/29/2019

Fully prepared to travel to Port Coquitlam and purchase the $2000 RHIB from Randy, sight unseen (except for pictures) and under the table, when I came across a local guy who was offering something very similar. Ryan was in the business of selling Great Pacific RHIBs. His 9' boat came in at $1800 with tax and a 3 year warranty! Done.

So now I had a brand new RHIB and $1200 to spend on an engine. Saturday morning I took Rio to SG Power to have a look at their used inventory. They had none in stock, but offered to take my name and number in case one came in. Somewhat dejected, I dropped Rio off at home and went out to Trouper 2 to have a fire and veg out. I resigned myself to scouring the used adds in the hope that a used engine would become available. So with the fire burning in the wood stove, I took out my phone and began browsing Used Victoria boat adds. The first add that appeared was for a 6 HP, Yamaha 4 stroke, 2010 outboard for $950. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. I called the guy up and he said he had just posted the add. I told him I'd like to have a look. He told me he didn't have the engine at home right now, it was on his dinghy at the yacht club.

I told him that wasn't a problem as I was just off shore from the club. We arranged to meet and, the engine was immaculate. It has all of 13 hrs. on it and I managed to get him down to $900. Seconds after handing him the cash he got an email from someone offering him $1100 for the engine, sight unseen!!!

So now I had a brand new boat, and an immaculate engine for $2700. That left me with $300 for new launching wheels, a new painter, and two new stainless steel clips. I took Rio and Havana with me to Spencer's Marine in Sidney and bought those items for $290.43.

Now I just have to mount the wheels and take her down to the compound at Cadboro Bay.

My brand new Great Pacific RHIB, complete with repair kit, oars and foot pump.

My new engine.

You could eat off this thing. A thing of beauty.

Rio, the Range Safety Officer, approves of the new package.

Package complete with launching wheels, outboard and new floating painter.

The 6 HP, four-stroke gets me up on a plane!

And she's wet. First time in the water. I was so excited I locked my keys inside T2.

Trying to reduce risk of theft. Covered and chained. Also posted 'video surveillance' signs around the compound.