Robert WebbOur love for boats didn’t start until our dad took us out for fishing on a fine weekend. And since we were just little kids then, our love for boats wasn’t even deep enough—it was only because we knew we had more snacks there than at home.
Today, that core memory came back strong as we looked for a boat of our own. Good thing, Vancouver has the best boat dealers around, willing to help us find our dream ride.
So if you’re down for a little cruising, time to ride the wave and read this blog as we give you the best dealers we recently spoke to!
How much does a boat cost in Vancouver?
In Vancouver, the average cost for a cruising boat with a flybridge between 30-feet and 50-feet is around $200,000. Meanwhile, motor yachts between 50- and 60-feet are around $600,000.
1. Galleon Marine
Services: Boat Dealers, New Boats, Pre-Owned Boats, Boat Financing, Boat Servicing
Website: http://www.galleonmarine.com/
Address: 8211 River Rd, Richmond, BC V6X 0E3
Contact Details: +1 604-273-7544
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google review | 4.7/5 |
| Total reviews score | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B
| Boat variety | 4/5 |
| Trade-in | 4/5 |
| Fair appraisal | 4/5 |
| Flexible financing options | 4/5 |
| Test drive | 4.3/5 |
| Availability | 4.3/5 |
| Ample stock | 4.3/5 |
| Short lead time for waitlists | 4.3/5 |
Since we knew nothing about boats, we were looking for a boat dealer that confidently knew everything about one—from inside and out. A friend recently got a boat from Galleon Marine, so we decided to tap them first too.
Their sales and support team were really impressive. We were lucky enough to coordinate with both Mark and Ian, and they were both equally helpful, running down all the possible boat units suitable for us.
Don’t worry if you’re indecisive like us! These guys are known to be very patient, even if you change your mind about boat models or accessories, they will still gladly accommodate your last minute requests.
You’ll love coordinating with them via email as they remain very responsive even outside their official business hours. And while they’re closed on weekends, they still try to make time to answer your questions.
During pickup, their sales officer will also let you meet someone from their service department. You can expect them to be friendly too, providing you tips about maintaining your boat so you can avoid having it serviced in the near future.
But don’t worry, in case you need them for possible repairs in the future, you’ll love that they can accommodate you even under short notice.
You’ll even be surprised that they can diagnose the problem over the phone, which tells you about how much they know their boats. Even better, if there are no major spare parts to be replaced, you can get your boat up and running again on the same day.
Convenient location
“Conveniently located at the marina where I bought the boat. Mark is pleasant to deal with. The bill was quite a bit more than estimated or expected. When I brought my concerns to Mark, I was told that the tech was a senior tech and “it is what it is”. Besides the extra time it took to adjust the trailer to the boat, the guys at Galleon are good to deal with. No issues otherwise.”
CM C MAC, Google Review
Takes care of clients’ needs
“Working with Ian at Galleon Marine has been an absolute pleasure. He took care of our needs, made sure to get us the right parts and the engine we wanted, in no time at all. We will definitely be going back for all future installs, service and engine purchases. Thanks Ian and the team at Galleon!”
Jon Marus, Google Review
2. M&P Yacht Centre
Services: Boat Dealers, Yacht Selling, Financing & Insurance
Website: http://www.mpyachtcentre.com/
Address: 510 Nicola St #110, Vancouver, BC V6G 3J7
Contact Details: +1 604-692-0333
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google review | 4.5/5 |
| Total reviews score | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Boat variety | 4.7/5 |
| Trade-in | 4.7/5 |
| Fair appraisal | 4.7/5 |
| Flexible financing options | 4.7/5 |
| Test drive | 4.6/5 |
| Availability | 4.5/5 |
| Ample stock | 4.5/5 |
| Short lead time for waitlists | 4.5/5 |
If you’re looking for something bigger and more luxurious, going to M&P Yacht Centre would be the best way to go. As soon as you enter their shop, you will immediately feel like walking in a yacht gallery—with water views as a bonus!
Also, they’re the country’s top-ranked boat dealer, so you’re really in good hands. Here, you can choose from sporty yachts to their very premium lineup of Sunseeker and Prestige yacht models.
But even if they scream luxury, we’re still surprised by how approachable they were. They didn’t even rush us to choose the best ones we liked, and just let us enjoy the walkthrough.
What we liked about them is that they make the process very simple. So it makes them a great fit for those who prefer a more straightforward sales transaction, especially the older crowd.
We also noticed how they pay close attention, ensuring that they provide a lineup of boats based on our preference. We loved that they gave us multiple options too (well, it was also kind of hard to choose just one!).
Nonetheless, we still appreciated the whole process, as it even introduced us to several features we weren’t familiar with.
You can also expect them to provide you the same care even after your purchase. If you ever encountered issues on your new boat, you can expect them to respond to your questions and schedule a repair right away.
Smooth process
“I bought my first Boston Whaler from Gerry last year, and my boat was finally delivered a couple of weeks ago. I couldn’t be happier with the entire experience. The process was incredibly smooth from the moment I first walked in, all the way through to delivery and beyond. Gerry made sure everything was working perfectly and took care of every detail, even after the sale. You don’t just get the boat you ordered. You get their expertise, support, and genuine care to make sure you’re fully comfortable and confident with your new boat. I’m truly satisfied and grateful. The experience was phenomenal.”
Sean Kim, Google Review
Great after-sales service
“My recent sale and purchase with Gerry of M&P was unbelievable! After sale service continues on to be the best ever. Ben in service just the same. No other place I would deal with going forward.”
Elaine Fine, Google Review
3. Freedom Marine Yacht Sales
Services: Boat Dealer, Sail Boats, Power Boats, Digital Fishing Derby
Website: https://boatingfreedom.com/
Address: 510 Nicola St #100, Vancouver, BC V6G 3J7
Contact Details: +1 604-609-0985
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google review | 4.8/5 |
| Total reviews score | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Boat variety | 4.7/5 |
| Trade-in | 4.7/5 |
| Fair appraisal | 4.7/5 |
| Flexible financing options | 4.7/5 |
| Test drive | 4.6/5 |
| Availability | 4.5/5 |
| Ample stock | 4.5/5 |
| Short lead time for waitlists | 4.5/5 |
If you want to upgrade your small boat to something bigger and sleeker, then Freedom Marine Yacht Sales would be a reasonable choice. They mostly deal with yachts over 35 feet, so if you’re looking for one, then you’re on the right path.
They’re one of the most respected dealers that carry known brands such as the Riviera, Princess, and Axopar, just to name a few. The latter even awarded this boat dealer with a global recognition for the best after-sales support.
You’ll love that they’re always available to respond to your queries. They will even help you through the entire mechanical inspection, surveys, and even contracting.
What’s impressive is that everyone we talked to knew everything about boats—and not just the specifications, but how they actually feel when they’re out on the water.
You could really tell that boats have been part of their lives—most of them even have a lot of experiences since they were kids.
We also love their quick turnaround time. You don’t even have to wait for weeks just to get a unit, which we appreciate.
And if you’re planning to sell or trade in your old yacht, you’ll love that you can do it here at Freedom Marine too.
Not your ordinary sales person
“We had been looking for a specific boat for awhile, came across one listed with Freedom on the internet. It being in Canada and us being in Northern California, seemed like it would be too much of a hassle to buy and get down to us. I reached out and Shawn responded very promptly and provided a lot of info I was looking for. We decided to make the purchase. Shawn went over and above guiding us through the process. He is a very professional, honest and helpful person. Not your ordinary sales person. I would recommend him and Freedom to anyone looking for a boat/yacht.”
Russ Florance, Google Review
Very helpful team
“I’m very pleased with the team at Freedom Marine, they have been very helpful across the board , every aspect of the purchase experience was smooth, my particular broker, James. Neil , went above and beyond making for a great experience!!
Thank you James and all the crew @ Freedom Marine!!”
Kevin Cronin, Google Review
4. Fraser Yacht Sales
Services: Boat Dealer, Yacht
Website: http://www.fraseryachtsales.com/
Address: 1818 Maritime Mews, Vancouver, BC V6H 3X2
Contact Details: +1 604-734-3344
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google review | 4.5/5 |
| Total reviews score | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B
| Boat variety | 4/5 |
| Trade-in | 4.7/5 |
| Fair appraisal | 4.7/5 |
| Flexible financing options | 4.7/5 |
| Test drive | 4.5/5 |
| Availability | 4/5 |
| Ample stock | 4/5 |
| Short lead time for waitlists | 4/5 |
If you’re looking for an exclusive dealer for big boat names like Jeanneau, J/Boats, and Lagoon, then Fraser Yacht Sales should be on top of your list. The best part is that they don’t put a premium price tag to it.
What we liked about them is that they won’t force a boat unit if they feel that it’s a mismatch. We were initially eyeing for a different boat model, but since it doesn’t fit our requirements, they helped us find the best unit instead.
This boat dealer can also accept trade-ins, and you don’t even have to sweat about it. They will handle all the documentation process for you, including the valuation, listing, or even follow-ups if you haven’t decided to sell it just yet.
What we like about them is that they have an online inventory that they update frequently. Even better, the boat listings have the initial details ready such as the price, year, model, and the size.
And if you need more details, you can just request for the additional information, and they will send it to you through your email, which we think is much more convenient than going to their showroom.
Nonetheless, you can still head over to their store if you prefer a detailed walkthrough. You can also expect them to arrange a test drive, especially when the skies are clear.
Professional and knowledgeable
“I have dealt with Fraser Yacht Sales for both a sale and a purchase. Both times the brokers were very professional, knowledgable and helpful; making it a smooth process overall. Highly recommended.”
Nik Claxton, Google Review
Makes the process enjoyable
“Without a doubt, Brian Huse has exceeded all of our expectations in our boat buying / selling experience! He is beyond knowledgeable, knows what he is talking about and makes the process enjoyable. He has even talked us out of a boat (thankfully!) when he could have easily just let us buy it, knowing it wasn’t the right fit. He has since helped us find the right boat, and has gone way above and beyond in the after sales service. I have called him at all hours of the day with questions about the boat and he picks up right away and helps every time. I can’t say enough about Brian and am grateful to have him as our “boat guy” for life!”
Jordy Harris, Google Review
5. North Shore Marine
Services: Boat Dealer, Pre-Owned Boats, Repair, Service Kits
Website: https://northshoremarineltd.com/
Address: 45 Senator Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3H9
Contact Details: +1 604-924-3266
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Consumer Rating: A
| Google review | 5/5 |
| Total reviews score | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Boat variety | 4.5/5 |
| Trade-in | 4.6/5 |
| Fair appraisal | 4.6/5 |
| Flexible financing options | 4.6/5 |
| Test drive | 4/5 |
| Availability | 4.5/5 |
| Ample stock | 4.5/5 |
| Short lead time for waitlists | 4.5/5 |
We first discovered North Shore Marina when our friend was looking for an outboard-powered fishing boat. And since she wanted a place that doesn’t just sell but also handles repairs, this boat dealer turned out to be her knight in shining armor.
True enough, everything can be handled by these boat guys. Here, you can also request for spare parts and service kits for all types of boat models.
If you’re new to the boat world, you’ll love that they gladly explain all their services to you. They will even help you choose the best boat according to your lifestyle and preference.
Another thing that we loved about them is that they handle electrical upgrades. And they even make sure that they finish it on time.
Additionally, you can trust them to stick to the original quotation. Our friend was working on a tight budget, and they were really transparent and upfront about the running bill, which made budgeting a whole lot easier.
A client even told us that they ended up paying below the initial cost estimates, which was really impressive.
And if you ever encounter unexpected issues on your boat, you’ll love that they can squeeze you in their busy schedule. They will even quickly order the parts needed so they can have the boat up and running again in no time.
Available under short notice
“I had an issue with my fuel gauge not working and I called and talked to Jordan the electrician and not only did he offer to fit me in when they were super busy but he gave me directions to try to diagnose the issue myself and although I ended up getting his help to confirm what I had done, he only charged me for a quick diagnostic vs the over $500 another shop wanted just to look at it. Jordan behind the counter then found the same gauge and ordered it in quickly for me. I just installed it myself and am back in business! Team Jordan was amazing. Thanks so much guys. I highly recommend giving them a call!”
Hartland Ross, Google Review
On time and on budget
“North Shore Marine is on time and on budget. They are a real pleasure to deal with. Highly recommend them for all your boat needs.”
Robert Remy, Google Review
