September 9, 2020
BC’S Marine World is Pristine. Let’s Keep it that Way.
We recognize the potential impact that boats have on the marine ecosystem, and the communities we enjoy. It’s up to all of us to understand how we can minimize our impact and practice responsible environmental stewardship.
September 9, 2020
Plastic Pollution in the Great Lakes Reaches Alarming Levels
New Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup Initiative aims to tackle the problem head-on through the largest deployment of Seabin and LittaTrap™ technology in the world.
September 9, 2020
POTW: Newbie boaters show their stuff
With things the way they are, a whole new batch of Canadians are discovering that boating is IT! These great shots shots come from from Mike Ontotsky who writes “We’re actually new boaters as of June but those pics were just taken at the beginning of August as we did the entire Trent Severn!”
September 9, 2020
CYOB Inbox: A unique 2020 at Sheen Marine
At Sheen Marine, like almost everywhere else in the world, this has been a most unusual boating season. New Years Day 2020. Everything was normal. We had some large project carry over from 2019. We started booking new 2020 projects.
August 25, 2020
There is no limit to travel on a No Limit Ship
Recently while admiring the boats in Victoria Harbour my eyes locked into a 58ft yacht named SeaWolf that I just couldn’t take my eyes off. The fit and finish on this strikingly unique yacht was like a magnet I just had to stop and talk to the owners.
August 25, 2020
POTW August 27
We were torn this week. So many photos came rolling in now that everyone is on their boat. It was tough to ignore this beauty from the RCYC Paddlethon, but it got into our issue here.
August 25, 2020
CYOB Inbox: Safety please
We see people coming into the public docks with people sitting on the bow of the boat or on the outside front of pontoon boats, if the boat had to slow down fast, that person may end up in the motor /propeller.
August 11, 2020
POTW: Omigawd!!!
This picture was taken by a friend who shall remain anonymous for reasons of potential litigation. We even went to the trouble of using PhotoShop to “blurr” the faces in case the people here are not all from the same household. (as if…)
August 11, 2020
Interesting boats: Taconite
The 38.1m / 125′ motor yacht, custom built in 1930 by Boeing of Canada and last refitted in 1994 it is in drydock and Victoria’s inner Harbor for a refit.
August 10, 2020
CY Inbox: Lake Superior Facts
Why it’s called Lake Superior . . . Pretty amazing. Did you realize how big this lake is?
July 21, 2020
POTW: Signs of the times
This interesting shot is one you will remember. It comes to POTW from our pal, photographer and writer Bruce Kemp.
July 21, 2020
Our boat: A beauty – the 1967 Trojan 42 Motor Yacht
Unknown to us at the time, the quest for VIA-MARA started in 1973 when I saved the back cover of a boating magazine with the advertisement for the Trojan 42 Motor Yacht.
July 21, 2020
South Island Sea Kayaking Association – SISKA
You will find that many of the yachts travelling up and down the BC Coast have Sea Kayaks on board. Once at anchor, the sea kayaks provide boaters with the opportunity to explore each destination and take in the wonders of the marine life along BCs coast.
July 21, 2020
IJC updates Lake Superior Outflows and Expected Conditions – July 2020
Basin conditions were generally near average or drier than average in June, around both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron. As a result, water levels did not rise as much as they typically do in June.
July 8, 2020
POTW: Great timing!
Canadian Yachting Editor, Andy Adams, had the camera handy in St. Catharines, Ontario the other day as Neptunus Yachts’ latest new yacht, a 65 Flybridge, arrived at the marina yard in preparation for launch. The lucky new owners will be taking the yacht to Georgian Bay.
July 8, 2020
People: Scott Blake joins C-Tow Georgian Bay
Before he joined C-Tow, Scott Blake spent his summers hanging out in Honey Harbour and Beausoleil Island. Now that he’s hard at work for C-Tow, he’s spending his time around Honey Harbour and Beausoleil Island. How does that sound; well to Scott is sounds pretty great!.
July 7, 2020
The Council of British Columbia Yacht Clubs
The Council of British Columbia Yacht Clubs with over 50 yacht club members has become the voice of recreational boaters in British Columbia. Recreational boating contributes over $2.3 billion annually to the British Columbia economy.
July 7, 2020
BC Nautical Residents Association
In early June,2019, Julie May arrived in Cowichan Bay — all 42 feet of her. Aboard the converted wooden trawler were Rick Schnurr and Judy Brooks, who had decided to put down anchor in the Cowichan Bay Marina, their new home.
June 24, 2020
Classic Mahogany Meets Electric Propulsion
Classic boat restoration expert and wooden boat builder Stan Hunter recently sent us this great story about his new Duke Playmate re-power. Here is what Stan wrote, “It seems that every time there is a pandemic someone has to get creative and reinvent the wheel.
June 24, 2020
POTW: Boater heroes
In Mid June, a floatplane plunged into Constance Bay on the Ottawa River after two planes collide near Arnprior. The outcome could have been much worse for the pilot if not for the fast action of a few friends out boating on Sunday afternoon.
June 23, 2020
Pandemic notebook: Covid-19 hands Bay Sails an unexpected project for Air Canada
Winter is a fun time for sailmakers in Canada. We grind through mountains of repairs and have an abundance of new sails to put together and deliver. We also get to head south to race sailboats in paradise, sometimes in Florida for some Etchells, VX One or Star racing, or other times down to the Caribbean.
June 10, 2020
POTW: Back at it!!!
Hey, I wanted to submit this photo for photo of the week!! Our little guy was super excited to get another boat in the water! Heading towards Big Dog Channel. Just in front of Beausoleil Island.
June 10, 2020
CYOB Inbox: June 11, 2020
To be honest, as yet we aren’t really managing anything on the water yet, but it has been trying to get the boat ready for launch.
June 1, 2020
Krates Marina
Canadians are blessed when it comes to access to the water and to the boating lifestyle. In centres like Victoria, Vancouver, Halifax, Montreal and Toronto, you can literally take a city bus to the marina or yacht club.
May 27, 2020
POTW: Hooray – Family group back on board!!
It’s a COVID moment we will likely all remember. Our photo of the week of Sarah and Chris was taken just a few days ago when they finally got their Rinker launched. You can see the joy these boaters.
May 26, 2020
Bill Norrie: Around the world
The seasoned sailor mapped out an ambitious course around the world — aboard his 28-foot Bristol Channel Cutter yacht dubbed Pixie, Norrie would sail away from Vancouver Island to the Southern Ocean for a year-long solo circumnavigation of the planet.
May 26, 2020
People: Meet Ben Gartside
Ben grew up in the family boat yard in Cornwall, in the UK, and started his career in the marine industry at a Yanmar main dealership in 1980. When the family moved to Sidney in 1982 he took apprenticeship training in Marine Diesel Repair, subsequently opening Gartside Marine Engines in 1988.
May 26, 2020
Blog: So much for a clean wake
Clean wake: A concept amongst cruising sailors that stresses the impact that individual behaviour has on the group. Bad actions will reflect upon those who follow and potentially poison perceptions for generations.
May 13, 2020
POTW: Ready to go
This line-up of Beneteaus can to us from our friends at RCR Yachts in NY State where they are getting launched. Tarps nicely folded and gleaming, the boats are eager.
May 13, 2020
Pitoraq: Deck Repairs Part 2
As another harsh Victoria winter came to a close, the deck repair and refinishing continued with Pitoraq in the water but still under her shrink wrap cover.
April 21, 2020
CYOB Inbox: We need Patrick Hardy’s message
This story about Richard Reid in the Star is startling. Toronto area sailor, Richard is a champion in B36.7, also sails Farr boats, has has helmed a J/80 and more.
April 21, 2020
VOTW: April 23, 2020
Our Video of the Week comes from a time of lockdown from D. Danger, our own man of adventure. Setting off for Spain, he ended up unable to continue and sends this report about facing hardship in a foreign land.
April 21, 2020
Ontario Boat Builders: Peterborough Canoe
The Peterborough Canoe Company was formed in 1892 and began production the following year after building a new factory complex at the corner of King and Water Streets. It was a successor of sorts to the Ontario Canoe Co., which had closed after its shop burned down in the spring of 1892.
April 21, 2020
Helly Hansen Sailor of the Month: Katie Coleman Nicoll
It’s been no secret that we have been thrown into a tumultuous ride. Stopping regular life as we knew it and being forced to stay home put a huge wrench into society and plans that have been made over the years.
April 7, 2020
POTW: April 9, 2020
On one of the sunny days we had recently, Kyle MacTaggart in Honey Harbour ON fired up the Merc to get in the mood. Will we be out there on the water any time soon, Kyle? Thanks for the photo!!!!
April 7, 2020
Pitoraq: “Windward 30” – the process
For all those OnBoard subscribers who have followed along with the maintenance, repairs and upgrades to the 1979 Windward 30 called Pitoraq, we would like to take a step back to when this all began in late fall at the onset of the winter months at the Canadian Forces Sailing Association in Esquimalt.
April 7, 2020
Club update: Standing by, Ladner style
The marina basin is owned by the club and accommodates 100 vessels. There are approximately 50 members moored at the marina, the remaining slips are rented to the public.
March 25, 2020
VOTM: Yikes!!! Gear up for disaster
We all know that having the right clothing for boating makes a world of difference. Bowman extraordinaire and CYOB correspondent D. Danger Mitchele demonstrates the proper use of foul weather equipment in this short video. You won’t want to miss it.
March 25, 2020
POTW: A sign of the times
We hardly need tell you about the pandemic but it’s worth noting that the marine industry is acting to mitigate the situation where it can. That makes this Photo of the Week an ultra timely. Let’s hope we can take these signs down soon.