February 13, 2024
Thinking of Becoming a Looper? Tips from a Looper who has done the Loop Twice
My husband Pat and I had always had the urge to head south when we retired. We heard about the Loop when a couple of our friends decided to do it. As Canadians, we joined the America’s Great Loop Cruising Association (AGLCA) for the wealth of information they have on their website.
February 13, 2024
Expand Your Horizons with Adult Learn to Sail
Growing up our dad had a beautiful wooden Knarr and when he could no longer get his daughters to sand and varnish the hull, he bought a new Islander 36. I have fond memories of sailing with Dad, however, none of his daughters was ever allowed to take out the boat without him. Thankfully he purchased an Albacore for his girls to sail… and race.
December 20, 2023
The Boat Nerd: Using Electronic Visual Distress Signals in Place of Pyrotechnic Distress Signals
Dec 21, 2023 As a pleasure boater with a vessel that is…
November 21, 2023
Know-how: A Guide to Boating Etiquette
Nov 23, 2023 Everyday good manners are only common cour…
October 10, 2023
Five Common Questions About Proportional Speed Control Bow & Stern Thrusters
Sponsored Content: Oct 12, 2023 Most electric motors we…
August 22, 2023
Outboard or Sterndrive – which is better for you?
Not sure if outboard or inboard/outboard (sterndrive) p…
June 6, 2023
The Importance of Practicing Boater Etiquette
Heading out on the water should be an enjoyable experie…
October 17, 2022
Cruising with a Captain – It’s easier than you think
Never chartered? No problem. Here’s how to plan, execute and enjoy a vacation on a charter yacht where life is easy and the sunsets can’t be beat.
June 21, 2022
Stay and shroud tension: Not just for sailing performance!
I was recently reading a number of Facebook posts from sailboat owners’ groups, wondering why their cabin doors and cupboards were no longer opening properly.
May 11, 2022
Seamanship: Avoiding mishaps by understanding how your boat handles
Full disclosure and confession: I enjoy watching boat failures and crashes on YouTube! As long as no one gets hurt, it’s a lot of fun and very entertaining.
February 23, 2022
Keven on sails: PHRF racing primer
Most sailboat racing occurs at local sailing clubs, and usually after work hours on weekday evenings. It doesn’t sound as exotic as Voiles St Barth’s, Sardinia or the famous Sydney to Hobart race, but thousands of boats and crews are competing on weeknights against their arch nemesis on the end of Dock C.
November 24, 2021
Keven Talks Sails: Crosscut VS Triradial Sail Cutting
Over the last decade, sailcloth weaving equipment has evolved and allowed the production of low crimp warp oriented woven cloth of medium to heavy weights. We have had light weight warp wovens of 200g/m2 (4oz) or lighter for much longer than that, but the finer denier weaves of light sailcloth allowed that with older looms and setups.
October 12, 2021
Bareboat chartering for first timers (Part 3)
If chartering is something you’ve been dreaming about, this series is really for you. BUT be forewarned…it can be addictive!
September 3, 2021
Bareboat chartering for first timers (Part 2)
If chartering is something you’ve been dreaming about, this three-part article is really for you and I hope will encourage you to give it a try… BUT be forewarned…it can be addictive!
August 11, 2021
Bareboat Chartering for First Timers (Part 1)
If chartering is something you’ve been dreaming about, this 3-part article is really for you and I hope will encourage you to give it a try… BUT be forewarned…it can be addictive!
June 22, 2021
Top 10 Tips for Responsible Boating in BC
British Columbia’s four-phase restart plan has entered Phase Two and residents of British Columbia are now invited to #exploreBC this summer. All going well, BC will encourage the rest of the country on July 1st and perhaps even see a border re-open in the coming months.
April 21, 2021
The Importance of a Sea Trial
I am frequently asked if I think it’s important that a marine surveyor attend a Sea Trial when one of our clients is buying a used boat. In very simple terms, not including your marine surveyor on a Sea Trial is a failure to complete the full marine survey.
March 9, 2021
What You Need to Know Before Buying an Electric Sailboat
Slovenian manufacturer, Elan, has introduced the concept of regenerative electrical auxiliary power to its boat and has partnered with engine builder Oceanvolt to develop a step-by-step introduction to the concept.
February 22, 2021
So you want to be a better boater? Boating skills for novice to advanced boaters
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unexpected changes in our lives, impacting everything from boating to vacations and these trends look to continue into the future.
January 13, 2021
Cars on board: Hooking up – Trailering Basic Knowledge
The other day I started thinking about all the trailer towing I have done over the years and what I have learned. If it has happened, it has happened to me including my trailer going in its own direction. So, I thought I would pass on some of my knowledge and experiences.
September 9, 2020
What to do with an Old Boat in BC?
For decades, abandoned boats have littered our coastal shorelines and waterways, posing an environmental and safety risk and negatively impacting local economies.
September 9, 2020
TS Playfair Coming to Hamilton Harbour
One of the Great Lakes’ best known tall ships, sail training vessel TS Playfair, will soon be making her home berth at the Hamilton harbour thanks to the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports) and a hard working group of volunteers.
July 21, 2020
Safety on the Water: Marine Rules of the Road
The marine rules of the road are set out in Canada’s Collision Regulations, Schedule 1, Section I – Conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility and Section II – Conduct of vessels in sight of one another.
June 10, 2020
The Rules Guy: An overview of the right-of-way rules III
In the past two issues we have been doing an overview of the right-of-way rules. In the first, we did a review of Section A of Part 2, in the second we did a review of the definitions. This issue, we will look at Section B of Part 2, General Limitations, which is essentially limitations applying to boats that have right of way according to Section A.
May 5, 2020
Safety at Sea: Creating a Culture of Safety
In my 45 years of teaching sailing and boating there has never been a subject more aligned with my love of boating and cruising than this one. Each person I talked with about Safety at Sea spoke with commitment and passion about the importance of creating a Safety Ethos (Culture of Safety) aboard each boat, fleet, club and association.
April 21, 2020
Cruising Sails Tech
Is one better than the other? What are the different advantages and disadvantages of the two sail styles? And what should you get on your boat? Precision Sails’ Senior Sail Designer, Jeremy Roszmann discusses the details and features of the two sail types.
April 7, 2020
The Rules Guy: An overview of the right-of-way rules II
Last column we started an overview of the right-of-way rules. That issue focused on Section A of Part 2. At the end of that article, I said would next focus on the definitions. Early in the Rules book, there is a separate section helpfully titled “Definitions”.
March 10, 2020
The Rules Guy: An Overview Of The Right-Of-Way Rules – instalment 1
As we start a new sailing season, I am going to start a new view of the right-of-way rules. I hope that by giving an overview, I can help my readers understand the rules for themselves.
March 10, 2020
Downwind Starts for the Long Distance Fleet
Many articles speak to the challenges and strategies involved in achieving a good upwind start, however, they often begin with sheets eased or with spinnakers ready to hoist, so let’s dig into some of the considerations that come into play with these types of starts.
February 26, 2020
Improve your docking skills
Improve your docking skills whether you are single-handing or have help, on a sailboat or a powerboat. Learn the theory and interaction of propellers, keels, and rudders and how to manage docking in wind and current.
December 18, 2019
10 Top Reasons to Never Leave Port Without a Roll of Duct Tape
Purchase your copy of the BRAND NEW Ports Georgian Bay 2020 Edition at the Toronto International Boat Show! Or pre-order a copy TODAY on the CY Store.
November 4, 2019
How do we get into sailing?
It’s easy just go to your local yacht club online or in person and sign onto their crew bank. I guarantee that you won’t have to wait long to get an invite, whether you are an experienced sailor or not. Boat owners are always looking for crew that are physically fit and will commit to a series of races.
October 8, 2019
PORTS: Can’t miss tips: Preventing Seasickness
The new editions of PORTS Cruising Guides, from the publishers of Canadian Yachting will be available in January!! Look for upcoming details on how to order your copy early!
September 25, 2019
PORTS: Can’t miss tips: Understanding Binoculars
Binoculars are essential for any cruising destination. Spotting potential water hazards, basic navigating and identifying points of interest along the shoreline or waterway are just a few of the many applications. There are a wide variety of sizes, models and focal lengths available.
September 10, 2019
Sharing Race Management skills
For the past 15 – 20 years, the Royal Canadian Yacht Club’s race management was primarily constructed with paid staff. This was done initially to give a group of development team and national team sailors a flexible job so they could train and earn money towards their campaigns.
March 28, 2019
Dear Doris, Help! My Boyfriend Doesn’t Sail
I grew up in a sailing family. My mother comes from a long line of sailors, my dad works in the marine industry and my brother and I have travelled up and down the eastern coast racing with and against each other. Yet, somehow, I had fallen in love with a No,ON-sailor (please note, the use of capital letters).