Found Deceased Canada - Dan Archbald, 37, & Ryan Daley, 43, Ucluelet, Bc, 16 May 2018

[Jamtartz]

Does anyone think they are connected to Ben's disappearance? It baffles me they all had much in common. Hiking, climbing, boating, diving, all very outdoorsy men. So much talk there on fb groups speculating has got me wondering the possibilities if they all were picked up by vehicle or float plane. I hope a presser is released soon with more info.

 

[Sjm_qc]

Does anyone think they are connected to Ben's disappearance? It baffles me they all had much in common. Hiking, climbing, boating, diving, all very outdoorsy men. So much talk there on fb groups speculating has got me wondering the possibilities if they all were picked up by vehicle or float plane. I hope a presser is released soon with more info.

I don’t think they are connected to the Ben Kilmer case.

BBM: that description could apply to a large percentage of the Island population, whether residents or visitors. It also applies to several of the other missing young men in the area.

 

[Lalalacasbah]

Does anyone think they are connected to Ben's disappearance? It baffles me they all had much in common. Hiking, climbing, boating, diving, all very outdoorsy men. So much talk there on fb groups speculating has got me wondering the possibilities if they all were picked up by vehicle or float plane. I hope a presser is released soon with more info.

The one thing that I think could connect the two cases other than age and outdoorsy interest is: the bush, logging roads and/or transportation. So maybe a truck driver, logger or transporter, transient bush type person making their way in one direction or the other met either of the men in transit. Lots of grow-ops out there too supposedly.

 

[tarabull]

(Just saying to give credit to) Someone on the FB page posted a link (2011 streetview at the harbor) it took me a bit to figure out why & what but after fiddle farting around in the area, I see now the view was showing camera's faced towards the parking lot (FWIW) view zoomed in: Google Maps

While viewing, also of interest, lots of resturants in and around the harbor...maybe they talked to someone while out for a meal over the 3 days, who offered a ride, or a means of travel, etc...

And one other thing that (has been mention already) that would not be a far walk (or taxi) from the Small Craft Harbor FWIW Google Maps (Although they maybe had too much gear for those little planes)

ETA: WHERE the BEEP are Ryan & Dan???

 

[tarabull]

Adding that Ucluelet Taxi is also very much in the vicinity FWIW
Google Maps

 

[adot0902]

I was recently talking with my grandparents (they boated their whole lives, up until about 10 years ago) We were discussing how glad they were that they got rid of their boat (about a 36 footer), because of how expensive gas got. It's not really the cost of the boat that is expensive (which they are), it's the fuel. So my question again is WHY are they going to Panama to get a boat and DRIVE it all the way back to B.C.... Even if the boat was a couple thousand dollars cheaper it still doesn't make up fuel costs. Occam's Razor to me says they weren't going to Panama for a boat.

 

[tarabull]

I smell what you are stepping in adot0902

Baffling.

 

[Sjm_qc]

I was recently talking with my grandparents (they boated their whole lives, up until about 10 years ago) We were discussing how glad they were that they got rid of their boat (about a 36 footer), because of how expensive gas got. It's not really the cost of the boat that is expensive (which they are), it's the fuel. So my question again is WHY are they going to Panama to get a boat and DRIVE it all the way back to B.C.... Even if the boat was a couple thousand dollars cheaper it still doesn't make up fuel costs. Occam's Razor to me says they weren't going to Panama for a boat.

From the info I’ve seen and the images in news articles, it’s a sailboat. Sure it has an engine for auxiliary/back up power, but I don’t see cost of fuel as a primary factor for suspicion.

And it can be a lot cheaper to buy a boat “Down South” than in the US/Canada & sail it back...

Just my take on “Occam’s Razor”, or playing devil’s advocate, if one prefers

 

[tarabull]

SORRY, POSTED in the way wrong thread...

:blushingBIGtime:

Where are Ryan & Daniel???

 

[Satchie]

I was recently talking with my grandparents (they boated their whole lives, up until about 10 years ago) We were discussing how glad they were that they got rid of their boat (about a 36 footer), because of how expensive gas got. It's not really the cost of the boat that is expensive (which they are), it's the fuel. So my question again is WHY are they going to Panama to get a boat and DRIVE it all the way back to B.C.... Even if the boat was a couple thousand dollars cheaper it still doesn't make up fuel costs. Occam's Razor to me says they weren't going to Panama for a boat.

But then I think, if they were in the midst of something risky, wouldn't they try to spend a minimum amount of time with customs, rather than prolonging it by getting someone to appraise the boat? Wouldn't they moor at a regular marina, without a customs officer? And wouldn't they have plans for a ride, rather than calling friends.

 

[Lalalacasbah]

I find the articles confusing as well. They've gotten the names mixed up in a couple (Dan's boat, then Ryan's boat). One article said it was their new business venture:

"A friend of Archbald, Paul Watt, said the pair had started a business and were importing a boat from Panama as part of their new charter service."

Another good tidbit of info in this article, sounds like Dan had JUST spoken to his wife during those 3 days stuck in customs and said he'd talk to her in an hour:

“I don’t know why they picked Ucluelet … the importation process slowed down so they were kind of stuck in customs for about three days in Ucluelet. uring that time, Dan talked to [his wife] kind of briefly a few times … saying he would be home soon and that he would talk to her in about an hour or so.”

Disappearance of 2 men on Vancouver Island now considered suspicious

 

[Lalalacasbah]

There are some other details I noticed that might be of interest, keep in mind not sure which of the two men it was for sure as articles have gotten names mixed up. One says Ryan paid, the other says Dan paid:

- "[Daley] came into my office and asked what the amount was. He wasn’t sure before that if he wanted to stay a couple of days, but he decided to spend the month. I worked out the numbers for him. He left my office, came back with some cash, and paid me,” Ryan paid for a month’s worth of moorage before the two men departed.

- CBSA [Canada Border Services Agency] was assessing their vessel at a certain value because they had to pay tax on it,” Cortes said. He asked me if I knew a boat surveyor because he wanted to see if he could get a lower assessment on it because he wanted to pay less taxes. Cortes said he put the men in contact with a local surveyor, adding on May 16, he got a call from Archbald wanting to pay the moorage fees, adding they were packed up and ready to go.

MY QUESTION:
1. What was the deciding factor to go from wanting to stay only a couple days to a whole month? What changed in that short period of time? Did they meet someone? Business proposition? Ryan meet a girl? They were "supposed" to head to Ryan's in Jordan River, so did they just decide to moor the boat for the month and they carry on to Jordan River or were they going to stick around Ucluelet area for the month?

2. Surprised they paid with cash however, maybe when travelling in Panama cash is best instead of credit cards or debit? I do not know, maybe this is a common traveller thing to do.

Disappearance of 2 men on Vancouver Island now considered suspicious
https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/new...n-into-missing-b-c-men-last-seen-in-ucluelet/

 

[Lalalacasbah]

Seems to me plans changed fast that day and possibly influenced by someone else there. From Dan's conversation with his wife saying he'd talk to her in an hour to the time frame of staying a couple days then to a month. All I can think of is if they were offered some quick cash or some sort of proposition? Or if drugs were involved as some say, something changed in the plan.

 

[OceanSideMedium]

I was recently talking with my grandparents (they boated their whole lives, up until about 10 years ago) We were discussing how glad they were that they got rid of their boat (about a 36 footer), because of how expensive gas got. It's not really the cost of the boat that is expensive (which they are), it's the fuel. So my question again is WHY are they going to Panama to get a boat and DRIVE it all the way back to B.C.... Even if the boat was a couple thousand dollars cheaper it still doesn't make up fuel costs. Occam's Razor to me says they weren't going to Panama for a boat.

I totally agree with this. They went for more than a boat in my opinion. Those bags they were carrying were huge. If they were hitch hiking how did they go unseen by anyone. Def something else to it

 

[Jackeee]

It wouldn’t take 8 weeks to sail from Panama to Vancouver. Would it?? Where else did they go?

 

[drama_farmer]

It wouldn’t take 8 weeks to sail from Panama to Vancouver. Would it?? Where else did they go?

I googled that question: "How long to sail from Panama to Vancouver" and this thread from Cruisers Forum popped up:

If one were to purchase a 32 to 40 foot production boat like a Hunter or Beneteau in the Caribbeanand sail it north to Vancouver BC, (through Panama Canal) ...

How long would it take?
Best time of the year?
What parts of the journey do I need crew. (Single-handling)

Currents of North America trend toward the south so sail off-shore?
Stay close to shore and Gunk Hole all the way?

How dangerous would this be for a smaller boat?

I see several factors in timing considering Hurricane season, (Leave the Caribbean by May), purchasein October/November/December, arrive in BC no later than Sept/October.

My situation is that in order to justify leaving my wife for almost a year, (with her joining me for a few weeks), the premise is to buy a yacht at Caribbean prices and sell at Vancouver prices and hopefully make a profit. (Can be done just not easy). This way she experiences a few weeks in the Carib as she considers a 5 year live-aboard and I get a year of adventure and experience!

There are several replies, with a few suggesting that the OP's money-making plan to buy a boat from Central America and sell it for a profit in Vancouver, CA is not a good plan at all.

I realize that "our" two missing men may have been planning to start a charter business with their new "bargain" boat and not sell it right away, but I think some of the posters on the thread give good advice about the actual reality of their plan.

(Mods, if this info from this forum link is not allowed, please remove.)

ETA: changed "travel" to "sail"

 

[Lalalacasbah]

I totally agree with this. They went for more than a boat in my opinion. Those bags they were carrying were huge. If they were hitch hiking how did they go unseen by anyone. Def something else to it

But even if drugs, they wouldn't be in those bags as how would they clear customs? I can see these guys with a small shipment of drugs maybe but they do not seem savvy enough for a cargo/boat-load shipment from Central/South America to cruise right on in with. I mean that just seems like a terrible plan, it almost seems dumb and way too risky if this was the case. But then again, maybe that's the reason for them missing. It seems like there has to be something else to this!

 

[Jackeee]

But even if drugs, they wouldn't be in those bags as how would they clear customs? I can see these guys with a small shipment of drugs maybe but they do not seem savvy enough for a cargo/boat-load shipment from Central/South America to cruise right on in with. I mean that just seems like a terrible plan, it almost seems dumb and way too risky if this was the case. But then again, maybe that's the reason for them missing. It seems like there has to be something else to this!

IMO, someone close to them knows or suspects something.
I don’t know the ins and outs, but it’s close to home. Again JMO because I’m baffled.

 

[kmclaren]

It wouldn’t take 8 weeks to sail from Panama to Vancouver. Would it?? Where else did they go?

I've been wondering about that too. Maybe they stopped in Jordan River and dropped off something at the property - something they didn't want to declare at customs? They would have gone practically right by Jordan River on their way to Ucluelet. And it seems getting back to Jordan River was more important than reuniting with their families. So I guess that's my new question - what was in Jordan River waiting for them other than a big, rural property?

 

[ttcRider]

I have had these same thoughts going thru my head. Glad I wasnt alone in my thoughts. Thats why I was wondering what customs would be like going thru Ucluelet. Im pretty sure you can find an awesome boat here in Canada, especially on the coast.