If you’ve always wanted to feel the cool sea breeze rush through your hair on a warm summer day on the waters aboard your very own boat, this could be your shot at getting one at bargain prices.
BC Ferries is currently auctioning off the 55-year-old Howe Sound Queen, as it is set to retire this Spring and will be replaced by 1977-built MV Quinitsa.
The 73.4 m long ferry currently serves the Salt Spring Island route between Vesuvius Bay and Crofton.
According to the liquidity services marketplace website GovDeals, the minimum bid for the Howe Sound Queen started at $5,000 and after 28 bids, the boat is currently going for just $12,250.
There’s plenty of time for this price to increase, however, as there are 11 days remaining til the end of the auction.
Information from maritime heritage website West Coast Ferries tells us that Howe Sound Queen went into service for BC Ferries in 1971 and has a carrying capacity of 70 vehicles and 330 passengers.
The ferry also underwent a two-phase major refit to extend her service life and improve amenities for passengers in 2007 and 2008 at a cost of approximately $3 million.
