Words June Murray Dagnall
Photos Sarah Hartley Photography
Tucked away in Sidney’s tranquil marina floats “YA’AD,” a home unlike any other. While visitors are immediately drawn to its beautifully restored exterior, it is the story behind the walls that truly captures the heart.
Years of determination, ingenuity and countless hours of hands-on craftsmanship transformed this once-aging vessel into a stunning floating home and a testament to a couple’s dream of creating their own piece of paradise on the water.
The name “YA’AD” holds a very special meaning. It is a Jamaican Patois word meaning yard, home or house. Darlene met her late husband in Jamaica, and the name honours both his heritage and the place where their own story began.
Originally built in 1978, YA’AD is a 40-foot Cruise-A-Home fibreglass vessel that has been transformed into an inviting floating residence. Measuring approximately 40 by 10 feet, the home offers an open-concept layout that feels surprisingly spacious.
The journey began in 2017, when James and Darlene discovered the vessel in Bellingham, Washington. Seeing not what it was but what it could become, they purchased the boat and fitted it with a modest 20-horsepower outboard motor before embarking on the memorable journey across the border to its new home port in Sidney.
An extensive renovation followed, and very little of the original interior remains. One of the most dramatic changes involved removing the boat’s two inboard engines. The space they once occupied was completely reworked by Darlene’s husband into a generous bathroom complete with a shower, as well as a washer and dryer, luxuries rarely found aboard a vessel of this size. The couple completely rebuilt it from the hull up, redesigning every space to reflect both functionality and comfort. Every detail was carefully considered and every improvement made with their own hands. Together, they transformed an aging hull into a warm, inviting floating home that reflected their shared vision and their love for life on the water.
“My husband loved taking older boats and giving them a new life,” Darlene shares. “We had restored several smaller boats over the years, and each project taught us what worked and what we would do differently the next time. Windows was one of the most valuable lessons they learned. The original windows were removed entirely, and the sides of the boat were rebuilt to accommodate residential double-pane windows. While it was one of the most challenging parts of the renovation, it became one of the best decisions the couple made, as it kept them cozy in the winter and cool in the summer, along with filling the home with natural light. The couple was so eager to move aboard that they lived onboard throughout the renovation, despite dust and tools. Living through all of this allowed them to watch their vision come to life.
Stepping inside the boat today, visitors are immediately struck by the bright, airy interior. During the day, sunlight streams through the large windows, while evenings bring a warm, cozy atmosphere created by carefully placed LED ceiling lights on dimmer switches throughout.
Among all the memories about the renovation created on “YA’AD,” one stands out above the rest. Shortly after adopting their puppy, Darlene mentioned to her husband that their newest family member loved looking outside but couldn’t quite see out the windows. She came home from work one day to find her husband had cut a hole in the side of the boat. He had built a special window and a little platform just for the puppy so she could jump up and watch the world go by. It’s a testament that perfectly captures the love, thoughtfulness and craftsmanship that became part of every inch of YA’AD.
Daily life aboard the boat follows a peaceful rhythm where morning coffee is enjoyed on the upper deck as the marina slowly wakes, while evenings are reserved for watching spectacular Sidney sunsets over the water. Christmas is especially magical, with the boat decorated in sparkling lights outside and the biggest tree they can fit proudly displayed inside. It is a slower pace of life, with beautiful beaches just minutes away. The marina has a small community of people who also live aboard their boats, and wonderful friendships have been created.
Darlene shares simple advice for anyone dreaming about living on the water: “Just go for it if you have the itch to live aboard. If you are looking for a peaceful, relaxing lifestyle, it’s hard to imagine anything better. Living on a boat also teaches you to downsize. There’s no room for unnecessary stuff, only the things that really matter.”
Like the meaning behind its name, YA’AD has become exactly what it was always meant to be – a home. Built by hand, filled with love and surrounded by water, it stands as a lasting reminder that sometimes the most meaningful places are not the largest houses on land, but the ones where every corner tells a unique story,
With a heavy heart, Darlene has made the difficult decision to sell this home filled with memories, laughter and hard work. With the recent passing of her husband, Darlene knows and believes he would be pleased to see their story shared and would hope others will follow their footsteps and create their own floating home dream.
As one chapter closes, another begins. While saying goodbye will not be easy, the legacy of what this couple created together will continue to live on wherever the vessel’s next journey takes it.
