When Jean-Michel Turbide first decided to buy a boat as the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, with the idea of turning it into floating accommodation, people thought it was a crazy idea .
But now he owns a Popular and unique Airbnb in the middle of False Creek.
Romantic accommodation, anchored
When you hear the words “40 foot long, dual diesel ‘Cruise-A-HomeThe off-grid romantic getaways in downtown Vancouver may not occur to you.
But Turbide built just that. By renovating the interior and using things like solar panels to reduce noise, it’s a peaceful place in the middle of a bustling city. With a propane fireplace, patios (yes, plural), TV, Wi-Fi, full kitchen (including fridge, stove, and oven), and other amenities, this is a getaway. within sight of some of Vancouver’s most famous landmarks.
Being anchored even a little offshore, there is wildlife too, with a local eagle, seals and the occasional sea lions visiting the area. It adds to her favorite part of being on board.
“I think what I appreciate most when I stay on the boat is the tranquility it brings me even though I’m in the middle of town,” he says, noting that he has designed some things to improve this aspect. He wanted it to be more of an experience than a place to rest at night.
Although it has been nicknamed a love nest, it has had groups of up to 10 people on board (although they did have to bring extra sleeping gear; it has two beds set up and an air mattress within easy reach. hand).
Even if winter is approaching, he is not too worried since he has installed a new heating system.
“There aren’t a lot of active boats like mine during the winter months,” he says. “People are surprised by its warmth and comfort.”
Turbide, who has stayed in many hotels because of work, took what he knew from accommodations around the world and put it on the boat.
Trigger
The short-term rental operator was a flight attendant on WestJet when the pandemic hit, training to become a pilot. His work and his studies took a nosedive. Even though work stopped, school payments continued and he was planning to return to Quebec to live with his parents after eight years in British Columbia.
“It was a very stressful situation at the start,” he says. “I went from flying for work and flying on my days off to nothing.”
It was then that he decided to pursue an old idea.
“I had the idea [for the rental] about a year before buying the boat, ”says Turbide. “I stopped telling people about it because I was fed up with people trying to discourage me.
So he decided to take his shares in CERB and WestJet and move all-in on a somewhat oppressed ship on Vancouver Island. Last year he had it towed to the mainland and turned the ship into a floating cabin.
“I had to empty everything, it blew the budget completely,” he says. “My family saved me and my friends. At that point, I was panicking.”
It didn’t help that almost all the authorities had to come and check.
“One day, firefighters arrived on the boat; they got a call saying the boat was on fire,” Turbide said of one incident. “It was the foyer, I was on board.”
When they realized everything was under control, they told him the pit was illegal, but Turbide wasn’t so sure. As a pilot in training, safety rules were something he was keenly aware of. Because the floating love nest is not a traveling love nest (it stays anchored at all times), it is allowed to have a propane fireplace. He has had similar interactions with the police, the city and the coast guard, but the papers are in order.
It seems the stress and anxiety were worth it. The Floating Love Nest launched in December and is around 90% occupied.
While the price of $ 410 a night isn’t cheap, Turbide says it makes private time on the water more affordable, noting that renting other similar boats is much more expensive. One of the reasons for the low coast is the fact that the “nest” cannot be taken for a ride. But Turbide notes that, in her experience, most yacht owners typically spend the majority of their time anchored in one spot, anyway. And False Creek has a lot to offer.
“I honestly think you get a better experience on my yacht than the others,” he says, noting that the full kitchen is a rarity on the ocean.
While the Floating Love Nest is relatively new, it is already looking to expand its nautical work with two projects.
“One of them is accommodation,” he says. “One of them is about experience, a ‘sensory’ experience.”
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