Stones Boatyard was built and opened by Stones Marina’s Marc Stones and Lyle Archibald in early 2006. After a successful start, it was then purchased by Shari and Ian MacPherson and Lorraine Bell in February 2010. Nick Webster joined them as a partner in June that year and over the following 13 years the yard was developed with the addition of Nanaimo Yacht Services to provide a full-service facility, followed by an expanded yard and Marine Store in 2015, and an inflatable repair shop in 2018. The boatyard lifts some 700 vessels each year.
On 1st April 2023 new owners Tony and Mike Harris of the Harris Group of Companies, Ken Schley of Kelland Ventures and a founder and former owner of Quality Foods, and long-time Finning Canada Major Account Manager, Andrew Babuin purchased the business, along with its sister company Nanaimo Yacht Charters & Sailing School.
The Harris`s are widely known for their pedigree in the auto and cellular phone businesses where the brothers are partners. Mike oversees the Harris Auto Group and Tom Harris Cellular.
The Auto Group has eight dealerships representing 11 OEM brands. Tom Harris Cellular is Canada’s largest Telus Authorized Dealer with 51 locations in B.C. and Alberta. Mike also owns OK Tire in Parksville, Parksville Qualicum Self Storage, and Oceanside RV Sales and Consignment. Tony has aggressively expanded into real estate development and has a portfolio of commercial, mixed-use, and multi-family projects.
Ken Schley’s success at Quality Foods is well documented, and he continues to run Kelland Ventures, a large property holding, management, and development company as well as a hospitality division including the Qualicum Beach Inn. Schley also owns the meticulously restored S.S. Minnow, the original vessel from the iconic TV series Gilligan’s Island. Vancouver Island Marine Sales & Service owned by Ken Schley holds the Canadian distribution rights to SeaLegs amphibious boats. The passion for Vancouver Island, consulting, and business opportunities is at the helm of the business.
Andrew Babuin – General Manager
New General Manager, Andrew Babuin was a Major Account Manager with Finning Canada for the last 15 years, and a long-time family friend of the Harris brothers. Tony Harris says: “Andrew is a passionate boater, like Ken, Mike and I, and we have all wanted to get into the marine business for a long time. When the Stones Boatyard and Nanaimo Yacht Charters opportunity came along, we felt it was a great fit for us, and we are thrilled to have Andrew as our business partner and General Manager in this exciting new venture.’
“Andrew is a terrific person and he is knowledgeable and passionate about boats. He also has deep experience serving customers and this will translate well into his role serving our team of 30+ employees and thousands of loyal customers across all business units.”
Brock worked for Stones Boatyard from 2013-15 prior to a move to the Yukon. He returned to Vancouver Island and the boatyard in April 2023. He is a certified Marine Mechanical Technician
From Alberta, Mitch worked as a mechanic fabricator, professional driver, and spray foam installer before moving to Nanaimo and Stones Boatyard in 2018. He quickly progressed to become our senior travelift operator and Boatyard Supervisor, and qualified as a Marine Service Technician in 2022. He also owns a boat!
On joining us in the Spring of 2019, Michael enrolled in the Marine Mechanical Technician course, and he became fully qualified at the beginning of 2021. He is also a trained welder and fabricator. Michael is an avid fisherman and together with his young family, enjoys spending as much time as possible on the water. Michael and his family now own and live on a boat!
Daniel has been repairing inflatables since 2019, initially under the tutelage of a Master Technician, Richard Corona, and has completed the Zodiac MILPRO training course. He too owns a sailboat and is a keen sailor and kayak enthusiast.
Catherine joined us in February 2020 after several years in retail. She has a marine science background with experience around the Southern Gulf Islands and Northern Vancouver Island. She has always loved working on and around the ocean and excited to be back working in the marine industry.
Once a commercial fisherman, James was for several years a boat captain and scuba instructor in Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nanaimo. He joined us to open the Marine Store @ Stones Boatyard in 2016.
