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DINGHIES OF DEEP COVE: 1979 Truant pilothouse

Whether it’s a houseboat, trawler or yacht, we get the scoop on watercrafts that call the Cove home.

Whether it’s a houseboat, trawler or yacht, we get the scoop on watercrafts that call the Cove home. For August, we feature a 1979, 10-metre Truant pilothouse sailboat “Velleity,” belonging to Lynn Burton and Dave Winstanley, vice commodore of the Deep Cove Yacht Club.


Tell us about your boat?

Designed by Bill Garden and built on Salt Spring Island, very few of these boats were ever made, before the company became Saturna Yachts, and moved to Sidney, B.C. Unlike most sailboats, it has both an outside and an inside helm position for those cold, wet, B.C. days. 

What’s your favourite area to explore in it?

The northern Straight of Georgia, up to Desolation Sound is a favourite, but the Gulf Islands are a lot of fun as well. We spend a lot of time just cruising up Indian Arm.

Any cool stories about adventuring in the boat?

Any time you see a whale close up, out in its natural environment, is always magical. We see them quite frequently.

How often do you go out in it?

As often as possible. We boat year-round.

What’s your dream day on the boat?

Finding a nice secluded spot to drop anchor, with no other boats and no cellphone reception.

When and why did you start boating?

We moved from a small dinghy that we used for fishing up to our first sailboat about 12 years ago. It gives us a vacation where we can take the dog and cats along. We usually cruise with an 85-pound Husky and two cats.

What kind of wildlife have you spotted up Indian Arm from the boat?

Deer, eagles, otters, seals and sea lions.

What do you enjoy the most about being a member of the DCYC?

We have lived in the Cove for 15 years and we joined the club in 2008. Being a member of DCYC has introduced us to so many people, that it’s hard to go for a walk in the Cove without bumping into someone you know. We’ve made a lot of good friends that we might not have met otherwise if we hadn’t joined.

Besides emergency gear, what’s the one staple item that’s always on board with you?

The cat litter box.