Of course the Versatile, Inventive Live Aboard logo is a hermit crab. Their house goes on watery adventures, finding new friends and new waterfront views. When the hermit crab grows out of one shell it seeks a larger one. This is called "foot-itis" in the boating world. A hermit crab is very selective when picking its "home". The crab may spend an hour or two "touching" the prospective home with it's legs and antennae and the live aboard prods and pokes checking for comforts and functionality. Both may move into the newly selected home, only to decide that they liked the old one better and move back into the old home and/or location. 

Contrary to their name, hermit crabs and live aboards are social creatures and often enjoy living in groups. You will find them socializing near the shore or around docks.

Versatile Inventive Live Aboards

This acronym actually started with a small group of live aboards in Sidney, British Columbia. It stood for Van Isle Live Aboards, This loose group met each Thursday at a local establishment for dinner. This evening was dubbed "Attitude Adjustment Night" Soon however, live aboards and friends from other marinas began attending and VILA now stood for Vancouver Island Live Aboards. As time has progressed, and friends have spread their sails and flown the coop, Vila has taken on an international flavour. Vila members have great ties to this very special group of people and are still part of the fold.

NO RULES

Attitude Adjustment night continues along with numerous potlucks, parties and support events. Offshore and temporarily onshore friends continue to participate through visits and letters. The attraction and success of VILA is best described with its slogan: NO RULES. There are no big committees, no dues, no membership requirements and guess what... it works. Friendship and common interests aside, this VILA works because this diverse group of people who choose the live aboard lifestyle are always celebrating differences.