About this cabin
This sleep cabin was designed, built in a shop and delivered to a 20-acre property on Mayne Island, in the southern Gulf Islands of BC. It’s 12′ x 13′ (156 sq/ft) with a 7′ timber-framed covered porch, cedar bevel siding and a green metal roof. Getting it to the island took as much planning as building it.
Built in the shop
The cabin and its porch were framed in the shop, then wrapped and clad in cedar bevel siding. The timber porch was built as part of the cabin, so the whole building moves as one piece.
Ready to travel
Once the roof and porch were finished, a forklift moved the cabin out of the shop and onto the trailer.
By road, ferry and private road
A remote delivery has a long checklist. The cabin was moved as an oversize load, with pilot cars, the right signs, flags and lights, and the permits that come with it. The combined weight of the truck and the cabin was checked against the weigh scales. BC Ferries was asked about width and height clearances, and the tide was checked so the loading ramp wouldn’t be too steep. The last stretch was a private road, which was checked to make sure the cabin could reach the site.
Inside the cabin
Inside, the walls are plywood and the ceiling is pine tongue-and-groove with track lighting. A wall-mounted forced-air heater keeps the cabin warm, and the floor is vinyl plank.
| Location | Mayne Island, BC (Gulf Islands) |
|---|---|
| Size | 12′ x 13′ (156 sq/ft), plus a 7′ covered porch |
| Porch | 7′ covered, timber-framed |
| Decking | Stained cedar |
| Overhangs | Front 7′; sides and rear 12″ |
| Siding | 10″ cedar bevel siding |
| Ceiling | Pine tongue-and-groove |
| Door | 32″ steel door with glass panel |
| Windows | 30″ x 48″ and 30″ x 60″ |
| Roofing | Green snap-lock metal |
| Electrical | 4 wall plugs, overhead lighting and exterior lighting |
| Heat | 2000W forced-air heater |
More photos
The photos below show the finished cabin, the porch and the details.
What to plan before delivering a cabin to an island
A remote delivery needs more planning than a backyard build.
- Oversize load: plan pilot cars, signs and the provincial and city permits for moving a wide load.
- Weight: add up the truck, trailer and cabin so the combined weight passes the scales.
- Ferry: confirm width and height clearances with BC Ferries, and check the tide for the ramp angle.
- Private roads: check the road to the site for corners, trees and overhead branches.
- Rules: check with the local government about permits before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this cabin?
It’s 12 feet by 13 feet, which is 156 sq/ft (about 14.5 m²) of floor space, plus a 7-foot covered porch.
How was the cabin delivered to the island?
It was moved on a trailer as an oversize load and carried on a BC Ferries sailing. The trip was planned around ferry clearances, the tides and the private road to the site.
Is the cabin heated?
Yes. It has a 2000W forced-air heater, four wall plugs, overhead lighting and exterior lighting.
Do you need a permit for a cabin on the Gulf Islands?
The rules depend on the island and its local government. Check with them before ordering. See Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit for the general picture.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, check the Shed Rules by City, or read Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit.