January 24, 2013
Sunsail Opens NEW Mediterranean Destination in Palma, Mallorca
Sunsail is thrilled to open a new yacht charter base in Palma on the island of Mallorcain May 2013. This new sailing destination will offer Bareboat and Skippered Yacht Charters and is perfect for cruising the nearby Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera. Cheryl Powell, Chief Operating Officer of Sunsail, who has enjoyed several holidays in Palma commented; “our new base in Palma, the busy commercial and cultural center of Mallorca and the capital of the beautiful Balearic Islands, is a fantastic addition to our charter offering in the Mediterranean. With great access from almost every European airport, Palma is a city of modern hotel chains, and stylish shops; yet, it still retains much of the fascinating architecture in the Old Town and the restored cathedral stands proud in the center of town. Guests can dine out on some of the best tapas Spain has to offer and enjoy the great shopping, before or after setting sail.”
January 23, 2013
Late Breaking News – Boaters Unite, Fees Gyrate
The lockage and moorage fees on two of Canada’s most popular recreational waterways, the Trent Severn and the Rideau have been bouncing up and down dramatically in the past little while as your Federal Government tries to cut costs. If you have read Bob Eaton’s article on page 48 in this issue, you saw the headline, “…Trouble On Ontario’s Canal Systems” and hopefully followed the progression of Government efforts to cut costs by cutting hours, cutting manpower and cutting services on the Trent Severn and the Rideau. You would also have learned about the widespread backlash that stimulated and the public letters later released by Minister Peter Kent reinstating hours and continuing the open season until Thanksgiving 2012 as in past years, but you might not have picked up the subtle hint that user fees increases were in the works.
January 23, 2013
Bluewater Cruising Association Presents Cookie Cutter Chronicles
Homeward Bound: The Last Leg. On February 19, 2013 the Bluewater Cruising Association welcomes Peter McMartin and Connie Morahan, recently returned from their 10 year voyage around South Pacific, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. They undertook this voyage on their Peterson 36. Join them on their final leg as they sail from Kudat, Borneo, through the Philippines and Japan, and across the North Pacific from Hokkaido to Vancouver Island.
January 16, 2013
State of the Recreational Boating Industry Presentation January 15th
The 2013 State of the Recreational Boating Industry Presentation and Industry Breakfast took place Tuesday, January 15th at the Toronto International Boat Show. The event was sponsored by GE Capital, NMMA Canada and Boating Industry Canada magazine. The event attracted a capacity crowd of about 200. The presentations were opened by Andy Adams of Boating Industry Canada talking about two major demographic shifts that will greatly impact future planning for marine industry professionals.
January 9, 2013
Sailing Legend Jimmy Cornell to Launch Blue Planet Odyssey in Canada
Author and internationally renowned sailor Jimmy Cornell will be at the Toronto International Boat Show for the first time this year to recruit Canadian sailors for one of the most ambitious voyages ever undertaken. The crews, launching from ports in every continent in the world in 2014 and 2015, will survey some of the world’s most endangered islands, take part in community projects to help curb the effects of global warming, and gather data for the international scientific community. Blue Planet Odyssey will also highlight the effects of climate change on the Arctic icecap, the Great Barrier Reef, and nature reserves such as the Galapagos Islands.
January 7, 2013
Sea Ray Announces New Jet Boat Jan 10
In June of 2012, Sea Ray announced that it would launch a new sport boat series featuring the very latest in water-jet propulsion technology. AT the Atlanta boat show on January 10th, 2013, Sea Ray will officially introduce their new 21-foot sport boat with plans to follow up shortly with a 24-foot model. An earlier announcement stated that Sea Ray has an exclusive partnership with renowned German engine
January 7, 2013
Seattle Boat Show Offers 200+ Seminars
The Seattle Boat Show, Indoors + Afloat, is the West Coast's Largest Boat Show featuring more than 1,000 recreational watercraft, seminars and the latest accessories indoors at CenturyLink Field, plus afloat on South Lake Union. A popular feature with hundreds of boaters, the 2013 Seattle Boat Show features more than 200 boating and fishing seminars. On this page you will find the entire list of free boating seminars. You can search by topic, speaker's name and more. Topics cover a huge range of issues of interest including Plastic in the Marine
January 2, 2013
Vancouver Police and Fire Chiefs Oppose Kits Base Closure
The chiefs of the Vancouver Police and Fire Departments have written to Prime Minister Stephen Harper urging him to reverse the government's decision to close Kitsilano Coast Guard Base, at the mouth of False Creek. The station is set to close in May as a cost-saving measure, despite the fact that critics throughout BC’s marine and first-responder communities have warned it will put lives at risk. Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu and Fire Chief John McKearney have written letters to the prime minister echoing those fears. They say plans to spend more money on a new hovercraft to be based in Richmond and on volunteer search and rescue won’t make up for the SAR capabilities which will be lost in the closure of Kits base.
December 14, 2012
Parks Canada Expands Gulf Islands Reserve
Parks Canada has announced additions to the Gulf Islands Park Reserve, with the inclusion of new properties on Pender, Saturna and Prevost islands. The new properties are a mix of waterfront and forested areas and include over 2,700 meters of shoreline. Also included is additional natural habitat for Garry oak, a native tree species that is at under risk from habitat depletion. It is hoped that this acquisition will lead to the development of additional trails, day-use areas and boat-in camping.
December 14, 2012
New Acquisition Connects Quadra Marine Parks
With financial support from BC Marine Parks Forever Society and a successful local fundraising campaign, BC Parks is set to acquire land that connects two popular marine parks, a trail network and a lake at the north end of Quadra Island. The province created Small Inlet Marine Park, on the west side of the island, and the Octopus Islands Extension Park at Waiatt Bay, to the east, in the late ‘90s, and always planned to complete the package by purchasing a 395-hectare property on the high ground between the two bays.
December 14, 2012
Winter Storage and E-10 Gasoline
There is probably more misinformation about fuel than any other current boating topic. (See CY Dec 2012 for a review of decommissioning advice). Gasoline with ethyl alcohol added (E-10 nomenclature means there is 10 percent ethyl alcohol in the mix, the most common formulation for mid-grade gas) is actually a good fuel when temperatures drop as the alcohol will absorb quantities of water that enter fuel tanks. However, once the alcohol is saturated, water will remain a separated liquid that may make running difficult, if not impossible next season.
December 13, 2012
Fraser River Discovery Centre Receives $10,000 from Telus
Telus Corp. of Burnaby has donated $10,000 to support the Fraser River Discovery Centre’s education programs aimed at connecting individuals with the living and working Fraser River. The primary recipient is the FRDC’s River School, which offers interactive activities to school groups to increase awareness and understanding of the Fraser and its importance to BC. The Fraser River drains almost 250,000 square kilometers of the province, an area that that houses two-thirds of BC’s population and generates 80 percent of its economic activity.
December 13, 2012
Change of Watch at Desolation Sound Charters
One of the oldest and most respected bareboat charter operations on the BC coast has passed into new hands. Merion Martin and Jennifer Knox-Martin are the new owners of Comox-based Desolation Sound Yacht Charters. They take over from longtime DSYC owners Bob and Lois Stevenson. The Martins are veterans of luxury yacht operations in the Mediterranean and sailing charters in the Caribbean, with extensive ocean cruising miles. DSYC’s fleet of up to 30 sail and power yachts is based just 24 miles from Desolation Sound.
December 13, 2012
Vancouver Maritime Museum 2013 Ocean Cruising Series
Vancouver Maritime Museum has announced its 2013 Ocean Cruising Speakers Series: January 18 – 18 Years of Sailing Together by Judith and Harry McPhie, January 25 – South to Warmer Climes, Vancouver to Mexico and Back by Steve and Tracey Dolling, February 1 – Vancouver Island Circumnavigation by Ron Ungless and Gordon Milne, February 8 – Around the World at Age 18 by Zac Sunderland,
December 13, 2012
Specialty Yachts Named Hunter Dealer of Year
Marlow Hunter Marine has recognized Vancouver’s Specialty Yachts as Hunter Dealer of the Year 2012. John Petersen, president of Marlow Hunter Marine (right), presented Specialty president Lawrence Fronczek (centre) with the award at the Annapolis Boat Show for 2012. They were joined by Hunter’s director of sales Greg Emerson.
November 26, 2012
Class Afloat Announces a $15,000 Young Sailor Scholarship
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia's Class Afloat has established the Class Afloat ‘Young Sailor Scholarship’ to assist two students – endorsed by their sailing school, sail training program or yacht club – to participate in an extraordinary educational experience — attending high school while ocean sailing aboard a majestic square-rigged tall ship. Class Afloat offers young people a unique journey of education and personal discovery. For nine months, students live, study and sail aboard The Sørlandet, a fully restored 210 foot 1927 Class ‘A’ square-rigged tall ship.
November 22, 2012
RNSYS to Host the 2013 Mobility Cup
The 2013 Mobility Cup is set to be held in Nova Scotia at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron. Canada’s national regatta for sailors with disabilities takes place from August 27th to the 30th, with arrival and practice taking place from August 24th to the 26th. Vancouver’s Sam Sullivan founded the Mobility Cup in 1991 by inviting key individuals from other cities to take part in a sailing regatta, whether they had ever sailed before or not, in an effort to promote and grow the sport of disabled sailing.
November 8, 2012
CYA Changes Name to SAIL Canada
The Canadian Yachting Association’s annual general meeting concluded October 27 with a vote to change the association's name. Delegates voted overwhelmingly in support of changing the name of the 74-year-old organization to SAIL Canada, enabling the national organization to align its positioning with many other national governing bodies in the sport of sailing. The move is part of a renewed effort to coordinate its training, coaching, judging and high-performance disciplines to allow it to better brand, build and grow awareness of the sport throughout Canada.
November 8, 2012
Cohen Commission Presses Feds to Address Fish-Farming Impact on Sockeye
The following is from a commentary on the release of the Cohen Report issued by the Georgia Straight Alliance: “The recommendations of the Cohen Inquiry into the Decline of Fraser River Sockeye released in Vancouver on Oct 31, 2012, make clear that though there was no ‘smoking gun’, there are multiple threats that need to be addressed to ensure the long-term health of the Fraser River sockeye. In 75 broad-ranging and specific recommendations, Commissioner Cohen gave the federal government an action blueprint, ranging from the long-overdue implementation of the Wild Salmon policy to actions to ensure that the risk from open net-cage salmon farms are minimized.
November 8, 2012
Yacht Clubs Oppose Kits Base Closure
Marine Organizations continue their opposition to the planned closures of Canadian Coast Guard establishments. The following was released from the Council of BC Yacht Clubs: The CBCYC has added its voice to the growing chorus of those raising strong objections to the closure of the Kitsilano Canadian Coast Guard base. The council represents over 50 yacht clubs in British Columbia, with over 10,000 members – powerboaters, sailors, canoeists and kayakers, and represents the largest user segment of the recreational boating community in BC.
November 8, 2012
Time To Prepare For Next Season, Starting With Electronics
We’ve written previously suggesting that NOW is the good time to do all those maintenance items that we all usually leave to spring-time. The more boaters can get done before the good weather, the easier and less frustrating pre-season commissioning will be. Our friends at the GPS Store sent along this terrific reminder about doing a complete check on electronics: “People should also pay attention to their boat’s marine electronics and electrical systems, because failures here are just as likely to ruin that first fishing trip or coastal cruise,” said Scott Heffernan, Sales Manager of The GPS Store, Inc. “A few basic steps and system checks can ensure smooth sailing not only on your first trip, but all season long.“
November 8, 2012
Managing Fuel During Winter Lay-up
There are probably more myths and half-truths about fuel kept aboard during the long winter-time lay-up. The introduction of ethyl alcohols into gasoline has compounded the confusion – arguments abound whether this is a good thing or not and how boaters should react. Here is what has been discussed so far: Nearly full tank or nearly empty tank? That is the big question facing boaters now in the midst of preparing their boats for the long winter hibernation. The concern is that alcohol is used as an octane enhancing gasoline additive that has some unfortunate, harmful side effects on some marine engines.
November 8, 2012
Keeping Track of Multiplying Boating Apps
With the increasing popularity of smart phones and tablets, there are more and more applications being offered. Many are free, and the ones that cost are usually very reasonably priced. Long-time PC users are even now finding the joys of working with Apple Computer products. So many more boaters are using iPads as chartplotters, for example, that RailBlaza reports that their iPad mount is the most popular item sold within their very extensive line of rail-based mounts and accessories.
November 8, 2012
Tsunami Watch
The devastating tsunami that hit Japan in March 2011 has created an enormous debris field floating in the Pacific, much of IT heading to west coast shorelines. Some US states have already made provision for a clean-up but Canadian authorities have so far not followed suit. The Maritime Museum of BC has stepped up with the creation of a reporting website on which they are inviting reports and, more importantly, photos of incoming debris. The museum is conducting a curated study of the arriving debris, almost in real time. Cooperating with local schools, the museum plans to teach about tsunamis, their damage and the ocean currents that transport disaster-related debris to our shores.
November 6, 2012
Industry Mourns the Passing of Campion Boats’ Gordon Elliott
Canadian Yachting West received this sad announcement early on November 6th from Brock Elliott at Campion Boats. "It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the passing on November 4th, 2012, of our Chairman, Gordon Elliott, F.C.A., at the age of 82". Brock Elliott, President and son said, "It is difficult to find the words for such an announcement. Our Dad was such a great leader, his life filled to the brim, very diverse and rewarding. He made lasting impressions with so many people; from his professional accounting career, to his strong interest in agriculture, farming and ranching, to the power boat industry.”
November 2, 2012
Beneteau Visionary Honored For Influence On Marine Industry
Active Interest Media (AIM) Marine Group held their Inaugural Editor’s Choice Awards on Friday October 26, 2012 during the 53rd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show where the group honored Madame Annette Bénéteau-Roux with the Lifetime Achievement Award. AIM Marine Group, publisher of magazines such as PassageMaker, POWER & MOTORYACHT, Yachts International, SAIL and Soundings hosted the event to pay tribute to the marine industry’s best of 2012. While presenting Bénéteau-Roux the Lifetime Achievement Award, Efrem Zimbalist III,
October 22, 2012
MarineMax Vacations Announces One Year Anniversary
MarineMax is pleased announce their one year anniversary of the launch of MarineMax Vacations Yacht Charter Division. MarineMax Vacations has been delivering outstanding charter vacations in the British Virgin Islands with the newest and most exceptional fleet in the market since its introduction in October 2011. Operating from its beautiful base in Tortola, the year has been one of accelerated growth through its fleet additions of sailboats, power cats and the building of a custom 46 power catamaran to be introduced in January 2013.
October 15, 2012
Victoria Marina Wins Federal Approval
A dramatic new Victoria Harbour marina to serve superyachts to 150’ has moved a major step closer to reality with approvals from Transport Canada and the Department of Fisheries Oceans. When complete, Victoria International Marina will provide 29 moorage slips for yachts 65’ to 150’ in length on the north shore of Victoria Harbour, just outside the Inner Harbour. “The project has already received municipal and provincial approvals, and these federal approvals are significant milestones,” said Larry Halgren, who recently joined the marina project team.
October 15, 2012
The Vancouver International Boat Show Introduces New Photo Contest
The Vancouver International Boat Show has launched a new photo contest celebrating BC’s love of boating. The “Why BC Loves Boating Photo Contest” invites boaters to share with the world why they love boating the more than 27,000 km of ocean coastline, hundreds of lakes and countless rivers, that make the waters of BC amongst the finest boating destinations on the planet. The grand-prize winner will receive a $1,000 shopping spree at the 2013 Vancouver Boat Show and a pair of tickets to the show; plus, 10 honourable mentions will each receive a $100 shopping spree and tickets to the show.
October 15, 2012
Canadian Yachting West October Issue on Stands, Online
The current issue of Canadian Yachting West is now available on newsstands and online. Issue highlights include: • “Remembering Tolly Tollefson” – Feature coverage of the dedication of a memorial at Princess Louisa Inlet to the late yacht builder R.M. “Tolly” Tollfeson, written by Robert Hale, founder of the Waggoner Cruising Guide and a longtime Tollycraft owner.
October 15, 2012
Mustang PFD Recall
Mustang Survival released the following notice on September 5, 2012. In keeping with Mustang Survival’s commitment to the highest levels of quality and safety, we are notifying the public of an urgent advisory for specific Hydrostatic inflatable PFDs manufactured during April and May of 2012. A portion of these PFDs may be subject to delayed or non-inflations. The following Mustang Survival US and Canadian products are affected:
October 15, 2012
Fall Show at the Creek
Mosquito Creek Marina’s 6th annual Boat Show at the Creek September 22-25 enjoyed generally good fall weather, steady crowds and strong purchaser interest. Sponsored by the BC Yacht Brokers Association, the show brought 150-plus power and sailboats, plus a number of marine vendors and suppliers, to the North Shore marina.
October 15, 2012
Correction – Raritan Electro-Scan Review
In the October issue of Canadian Yachting and Canadian Yachting West, we erred in our description of the Raritan Electro-Scan sewage treatment system. The manufacturer claimed, and we repeated, an incomplete statement that this system treated onboard sewage to a level safe enough to pump overboard with no further treatment. In fact, this is only true in some jurisdictions in the United States. It may be true in Washington State, for example, but it is not true in Canada. In Canada now, no discharge at all is allowed within one mile of shore. And discharge is only allowed directly into the ocean at locations three clear miles from shore.
October 15, 2012
2013 Vancouver Boat Show Extends to BC Family Day
BC’S inaugural Family Day statutory holiday is the second Monday in February 2013 – and Vancouver International Boat Show has adjusted its schedule to take advantage of the new long weekend. Next year’s VIBS will run from Thursday, February 7 to Monday, February 11, instead of its traditional Wednesday-Sunday slot. “VIBS has always focused on providing an experience the entire family can enjoy. Parents and children can get up close to a wide range of boats and see which boats best suit their family; they can even enjoy a free boat ride at Granville Island,” says show director Linda Waddell.
October 15, 2012
North Pacific Yachts Rendezvous
Twenty-five boats and close to 60 people attended the North Pacific Yacht Owners Rendezvous 2012 September 9-11 at Telegraph Harbour Marina. Tips, ideas and stories were enthusiastically shared regardless of whether guests were veteran cruisers or new to North Pacific. A number of industry suppliers stepped forward as sponsors and donors to support the event.
October 15, 2012
Canadian Tollycruisers Rendezvous
Sixty-seven Tollycraft yachts 24 to 61’ in length and from home ports from Powell River to Redondo Beach, California gathered at Telegraph Harbour Marina September 13-16 for the 24th annual Canadian Tollycruiser Rendezvous. This year’s theme was the “Tolly Circus” and crew costumes reflected this, as did the pet parade. As always, food was front and centre with a corn and rib night, burger and beer lunch on shore, potluck appies, a Saturday cook-off and the usual Saturday night barbecue. Sunday morning it was the famous beer batter Tollycraft pancakes on the dock, along with some cool mimosas.
October 15, 2012
SALTS Shifts Berths
Sail and Life Training Society (SALTS) has relocated its office, moorage and maintenance facilities from its home of nearly 25 years at Hope Point Shipyard on Victoria’s Upper Harbour. The shipyard is slated for redevelopment that will no longer accommodate SALTS. The office has moved to 451 Herald Street above the Canoe Brewpub in a brick-and timber-heritage building that once housed the coal-powered electric generators that powered Victoria's streetlights. The office overlooks Canoe Marina, where the society’s tall ships will moor in winter and donated vessels will moor year-round. The ships will continue to operate from Ship Point Wharf during sailing season.
October 9, 2012
New Leadership for Beneteau America
Groupe Beneteau has just announced changes within Beneteau America’s leadership team. Wayne Burdick has been elevated to a more strategic role in Groupe Beneteau, as the President of the holding company for the different US Groupe entities, and Laurent Fabre, formerly the director of sales and marketing for Beneteau's North American powerboats division, has been tapped to replace Burdick as president of Beneteau America. Under Burdick’s direction as president of Beneteau in North America since 1997, Beneteau became the leading brand of high quality production sailboats in the U.S.
October 9, 2012
Vancouver’s Specialty Yachts Wins the Marlow Hunter Marine Dealer of the Year Award for 2012
John Petersen, President of Marlow Hunter Marine presented Lawrence Fronczek, President of Specialty Yachts in Vancouver with the Dealer of the Year Award for 2012.