An exciting opportunity to acquire a vertically integrated marine recycling and used boat parts business operating in harmony. Tradewinds combines steady vessel intake, strong parts demand, and multiple revenue streams with clear potential for future scale.
Tradewinds presents a rare opportunity to acquire two complementary marine businesses sold together as a single, integrated operation: Tradewinds Boaters Exchange Ltd. and Tradewinds Boat Recycling & Disposal Ltd. Together, these businesses form a vertically integrated marine enterprise focused on vessel intake, dismantling, recycling, used parts resale, and selective refurbishment of boats with resale potential.
Operating from a leased marine-industrial facility at 2300 Canoe Cove Road in North Saanich, the business services Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia. The physical setup includes a combination of outdoor yard space and indoor operational areas, allowing the business to efficiently manage vessel processing, inventory storage, and retail parts sales from a single location.
The operation is supported by a consistent and reliable supply of vessels, enabling ongoing parts recovery, recycling activity, and resale opportunities. This steady intake allows the business to maintain a diverse and in-demand inventory of used marine components, serving marine mechanics, repair facilities, restorers, and private boat owners.
Tradewinds generates revenue through multiple complementary channels, including the sale of used and salvaged marine parts, the resale of complete boats where appropriate, and income derived from recycled materials recovered through the dismantling and disposal process. This diversified revenue model provides resilience and flexibility while maximizing value extracted from each vessel.
In addition to its commercial strengths, the business provides an essential service within the marine industry by addressing the growing need for responsible end-of-life vessel processing. By diverting materials from improper disposal and facilitating recycling and reuse, Tradewinds plays a meaningful role in supporting sustainability and environmental stewardship within the coastal boating community.
While the business has been operated with a practical, hands-on approach, there are clear opportunities for future growth and scale. Potential expansion avenues include the development of online and internet-based parts sales, broader digital marketing initiatives, improved inventory cataloguing, and the optimization of recycled material revenue streams. The existing operational framework, physical infrastructure, and market demand are already in place, providing a strong foundation for a new owner to expand without assuming undue operational risk.
*** This is a business asset sale only, there is no land associated with this listing. GST is applicable on the price. ***
Business Asset Sale only, leased premises.
2300 Canoe Cove Road - North Saanich, BC (Leased premises)
From the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, take BC-17 south toward Victoria. Continue briefly and take the Canoe Cove Road exit. Follow Canoe Cove Road to 2300 Canoe Cove Road, North Saanich.
The location is also within walking distance of the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, offering convenient access for ferry passengers and foot traffic.
Southern Vancouver Island and The Saanich Peninsula Southern Vancouver Island encompasses the region from the provincial capital of Victoria north through the Saanich Peninsula, an area recognized for its mild coastal climate, deep-water access, and robust marine and transportation infrastructure. This portion of the Island supports a diverse economy anchored by marine services, aviation, tourism, and high-value agriculture.
North Saanich occupies the northern tip of the Saanich Peninsula, surrounded on three sides by the Salish Sea. It is a unique rural-residential community of approximately 12,200 residents that balances heritage farmlands with high-tech industrial hubs. As the gateway to the South Island, it houses major infrastructure including the Victoria International Airport (YYJ) and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, making it one of the most accessible and logistically significant regions on Vancouver Island.
Located at the edge of the Swartz Bay transportation hub, Canoe Cove is a premier marine-focused enclave within North Saanich. It serves as a vital destination for the Pacific Northwest boating community, featuring a full-service marina, boatyards, and a cluster of marine-specialized businesses. The area is characterized by a "working waterfront" atmosphere, where residents and visitors enjoy a blend of industrial utility and coastal leisure, supported by local landmarks like the Fox & Monocle Cafe and specialized retailers like Tradewinds Boaters Exchange.
The region enjoys a Mediterranean-style coastal climate, among the mildest in Canada. Temperatures in winter typically reach highs of 6-9°C, with frost being infrequent. Summers are bright and comfortable, with average highs in the 21-24°C range. North Saanich benefits significantly from the rain shadow effect produced by the Olympic Mountains to the south and the Vancouver Island Ranges to the west. This results in substantially less annual rainfall than the West Coast or Vancouver, supporting year-round outdoor marine activity and a thriving local agricultural sector known for its vineyards and cideries.
At 2300 Canoe Cove, recreation is a primary driver of the local economy. For a purchaser of Tradewinds, the value of this location lies in its established position within a significant Pacific Northwest recreational boating community.
The ultimate draw for any patron of a marine exchange is the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Canoe Cove sits at the threshold of this world-class cruising ground. Within a short sail, boaters reach the white sands of Sidney Spit, the serene anchorages of Portland Island (Princess Margaret), and the marine trails of Russell Island. The constant flow of recreational vessels through these waters ensures a steady demand for the specialized gear, salvaged parts, and nautical treasures that Tradewinds provides.
The waters of the Salish Sea and Saanich Inlet are a year-round destination for salmon, lingcod, and halibut fishing. This active fishing culture creates a high-turnover market for marine hardware and engine components. For those exploring by paddle, the nearby Shoal Harbour Bird Sanctuary and Deep Cove offer sheltered waters for kayaking and shorebird viewing, where it is common to spot seals, otters, and bald eagles.
Located just minutes from the cove, Horth Hill Regional Park features forested trails that lead to one of the peninsula's highest viewpoints, offering boaters a bird’s-eye view of the very channels they navigate. The northern trailhead of the Lochside Regional Trail is nearby, providing a scenic 29 km multi-use pathway that connects the ferry terminal at Swartz Bay to downtown Victoria through picturesque pastoral lands.
For those seeking leisure on the greens, the Ardmore Golf Course offers a beautiful 9-hole experience in a relaxed, rural setting in the heart of North Saanich.
A cornerstone of the peninsula, the nearby Panorama Recreation Centre facility provides high-end fitness, swimming, and ice-sports, serving as a social and health hub for the local residential population.
The history of the Saanich Peninsula is deeply rooted in the heritage of the W̱SÁNEĆ (Saanich) people, who have lived in harmony with these coastal waters for millennia. The protected bay at Canoe Cove was historically a place of transit and resource gathering, serving as a vital link for Indigenous mariners navigating the intricate channels of the Southern Gulf Islands.
The modern name "Canoe Cove" is a nod to the area’s longstanding identity as a launching point. During the mid-20th century, the cove transformed from a quiet coastal inlet into a bustling center of marine industry. This shift was accelerated by the establishment of the Patrol Boat Station during World War II, when the Royal Canadian Air Force utilized the nearby waters and the "Patricia Bay" airport for coastal defense and training.
Following the war, the area transitioned into a civilian marine landmark. Canoe Cove Marina, established in the late 1940s, became the foundation of the local economy, eventually evolving into one of the most respected full-service boatyards in the Pacific Northwest. Over the decades, the cove has developed a "working waterfront" culture, where the craftsmanship of shipwrights and the commerce of marine exchanges like Tradewinds have become woven into the local identity. Today, the area stands as a testament to the North Saanich maritime legacy, blending its historical role as a sheltered waypoint with its modern status as a premier destination for the West Coast boating community.
48°41'06.7"N and 123°24'19.7"W
Not applicable
Commercial Waterfront, R2- Single Family Residential 2 (2300 Canoe Cove - North Saanich Zoning.
Tradewinds Boaters Exchange Ltd. and Tradewinds Boat Recycling & Disposal Ltd.
This is a business asset sale only, there is no land associated with this listing. GST is applicable on the price.
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Our property descriptions and geographical information are taken from the BC Assessment Authority, Land Titles Office, government maps and other sources. While LandQuest® does not guarantee the information, we believe it to be accurate, but should not be relied upon without verification. This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing agency agreement.