About Straitside
Owner-operated marine service that brings practical experience, clear communication, and whole-vessel thinking directly to the dock.
Our story
Straitside Marine Solutions was founded by Chad Day and Brian Clair after years of working across marine-service, shipyard, and project environments.
They saw an opportunity to give vessel owners something more direct: experienced technicians who communicate clearly, understand connected onboard systems, and bring the service to the vessel whenever practical.
Today, Chad and Brian work directly with pleasure craft, yachts, and commercial vessels. Their goal is not simply to repair the immediate fault. It is to understand what caused it, explain the options, and help the owner make a sound decision for the vessel.
“The people you speak with are the people doing the work.”
The owners
Continuity matters when a difficult symptom crosses mechanical, electrical, or other onboard systems.
Co-founder · Marine technician
Chad’s background spans marine mechanics, onboard systems, finishing carpentry, and marine project management. His work has taken him from tour boats and trades work in the Rockies to marine service in Vancouver and shipyard projects on Vancouver Island.
He brings a methodical approach to troubleshooting and a close eye for details that can be easy to overlook.
Co-founder · Marine technician
Brian grew up in the Comox Valley and spent part of his childhood living on a family float home. Four years in commercial fishing gave him an early understanding of how much reliable systems matter when a vessel is working.
His experience across diesel engines, electrical configurations, generators, and auxiliary systems supports careful diagnosis across the vessel.
Our approach
Every vessel has a different duty cycle, system layout, maintenance history, and operating environment. The fundamentals stay the same.
Follow symptoms through the system before recommending a repair.
Explain findings and practical options in language the owner can use.
Keep useful maintenance information organized for recurring work.
Look for developing issues while the vessel is already being serviced.
Work with the owners
Tell us about the vessel, its location, and the service need. Chad or Brian will review the request.
Request service