October 30, 2012
Distant Shores Sailing TV Series To Document ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) 2012
Paul and Sheryl Shard, hosts and producers of the sailing adventure TV series Distant Shores and regular contributors to Canadian Yachting magazine, have announced they would be entering the show's Southerly 49 sailboat, Distant Shores II, in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). The start date is Sunday November 25, leaving from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands and finishing in St. Lucia in the Caribbean. "The ARC is a major event in the sailing community and when we were invited to participate we felt it would be a great opportunity to document it in an episode of the Distant Shores sailing TV series," says Sheryl.
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 17, 2012
Canadian Yachting Presents: “Safety For Sea” at PCYC, Sponsored by Chubb Insurance
Captain Eric Hill of Royal Canadian Air Force Maritime Helicopter Tactics will be providing an informative and possibly life-saving presentation on Safety at Sea at the Port Credit Yacht Club, Monday, November 19, 2012 at 7PM. It is open to the general public, but space is limited. Captain Eric Hill is a yacht training and safety consultant. He is the offshore training skipper for the Royal Canadian Navy and holds a commercial endorsement for sailing vessels to 200 gt and is a qualified RYA/CYA radar, diesel, and commercial Yachtmaster instructor.
October 16, 2012
Small Town Dealer Wins Big Time Regal Service and Sales Awards!
For the second time in four years Crate's Lake Country Boats has been named Regal Marine Industries #1 Dealer worldwide for Customer Service! Earlier this month Crate’s Lake Country Boats attended Regal’s dealer conference in Sanibel, Florida and came home, literally, with a boat load of awards. In addition to their CSI award, Crate’s also won Regal’s prestigious President’s Club Award, finishing #3 worldwide for sales volume. Not too shabby for a small town Canadian dealer with 18 employees!
October 16, 2012
Invasive Asian Carp Forum Planned for November 8 in Toronto
Asian carp pose a serious threat to the Great Lakes environment. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, and the Canada-Ontario Invasive Species Centre will co-host an Asian Carp Public Forum from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on November 8, 2012 at the Palais Royale in Toronto, Ontario. The Forum is in response to ongoing public concerns about the potential impacts of Asian carp if they were to establish themselves in the Great Lakes. The public, organizations, and media are invited to hear from U.S. and Canadian agencies about actions being taken to reduce these threats.
October 16, 2012
Troop Island Saved From Development
A pristine 11-hectare island near Halifax has been saved from development after local groups raised enough money to save the land. Troop Island, home to an Acadian forest full of towering hardwoods hundreds of years old, is now in the hands of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust. To see the CBC news report on a very special island that will now be secured for public use after an emergency fund drive raised the money to protect it…
October 16, 2012
Strategic Investment Positions Two Strongest Aluminum Boat Manufacturers For Strong Growth
Six of the most prominent brands in the heavy-gauge welded aluminum boat industry now share one owner. A strategic investment by Byron Bolton, current owner of WestWinn Group, manufacturers of KingFisher, KingFisher Multi-species, Harbercraft and Jetcraft boats, has completed a private stock purchase of Renaissance Marine Group, Inc., manufacturers of Duckworth, Weldcraft and Northwest Boat brands from current owners Dan Larson and Jim Moore. The Bolton family completed the transaction through a newly formed entity, RMG Holdings Company, of Seattle, Washington.
October 16, 2012
The Moorings Announces New Price Promise Program
Announced September 25, 2012, The Moorings has introduced a new Price Promise program – an assurance to customers that should the cost of their Sail, Power or Crewed Yacht charter go down in price at any time up to 30 days before their departure date, they will be reimbursed with benefits equivalent in value. In addition to offering unprecedented value, The Moorings Price Promise guarantees an attractive price protection feature that allows for reimbursement through benefits that include yacht upgrades, food and beverage options, water toys and more.
October 16, 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 16, 2012
Sierra Introduces All-New Carburetors For Popular Sterndrive and Inboard Engines
Now, many boat owners can skip the rebuild and simply replace their troublesome old carb with a brand new Sierra carburetor and restore the performance and fuel economy of their engines. These new carburetors from Sierra are built to original factory specs, and are not rebuilt or remanufactured products. Housings are cast from corrosion resistant aluminium and machined using Sierra’s own specially engineered tooling. Components are anodised and carefully assembled to provide season after season of reliable performance.
October 16, 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 9, 2012
Penetanguishene Power & Sail Squadron’s Courses in Boating – Fall 2012
Boating Basics Course – We offer the Boating Basics as a four day course one night per week to obtain the PLEASURE CRAFT OPERATOR CARD. Starting: October 30th at a cost of $60. Boating Essentials Course – We offer the BOATING ESSENTIALS course for novice and experienced boaters alike. The total duration is 10 nights, one night per week (7:00pm to 9:00pm). This course will give you the knowledge to operate a boat safely with confidence. Starting: December 4th at the cost of $200.
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.
September 10, 2012
Annual Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Conference to be Held Nov. 13 – 14
Canadian cruisers and marine industry business people may find this conference interesting. Every fall, thousands of snowbirds – of the recreational boating kind – migrate south by boat via the Intracoastal Waterway that threads along the coast from Norfolk, Virginia to Miami. With severe shoaling in many areas, following the course isn’t easy, with groundings and delays getting more common each year. At just about the same time this annual migration peaks, another course to ensure the future of the historic waterway will be charted out at the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association’s Conference Nov. 13 – 14 in Charleston, South Carolina. Interested parties and Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) advocates are urged to attend.
September 10, 2012
You Can Read the Canadian Yachting October 2012 Edition Free, Online Now
Free and available at your convenience, the digital editions of both the national version of the October Canadian Yachting magazine and our Canadian Yachting West editions are available, both as business references and for your personal enjoyment. Both Canadian Yachting magazine and our Canadian Yachting West editions are always converted into full and complete digital editions including hotlinks to advertisers and companies referenced in the articles and in the advertising.
September 10, 2012
Annapolis Boat Shows Announce Change of 2013 Dates
The United States Powerboat Show 2013 will be scheduled a week preceding the sailboat show. The US Powerboat Show will be presented October 3-6, 2013 with the sailboat show to follow on the traditional Columbus Day weekend. All activities, show features, seminar programs, and other aspects of the boat shows will remain the same as has been the custom through four decades of boat shows in Annapolis. In addition, other show featrues and innovations will be developed and announced throughout the year.
September 10, 2012
Baja Marine Resumes Production on Models from 23′ – 35′
Baja Marine, Inc. (bajamarine.com) has resumed production on new boats, as well as offering Elite Service for customers' existing boats, at its facility in Washington, North Carolina. The company announced it will re-introduce three popular offshore models for 2013: the Baja 278 Performance, 30 Outlaw and 35 Outlaw, with exciting new graphics and a full range of Mercury power options. Baja's family-friendly performance boat line also includes the 23 and 26 Outlaw, 247 and 277 Islander models.
September 6, 2012
One race to go! – 2012 Paralympic Regatta
Busy day of racing at the 2012 Paralympic Games Regatta! The Sonar class pumped out 3 races in an effort to catch up and the other two SKUD 18 classes (2.4mR & SKUD) both completed 2 races on this second last day of competition. While podium spots are already guaranteed for some countries, others will have to give their everything to earn those elusive top three positions. The battle continued in the 2.4mR today. According to ifds reports, Lucas (GBR) was well back in 13th place on part of the first leg of the first race but the only woman in the fleet must have been even more disappointed when reigning Olympic champion Paul Tingley (CAN) arrived at the first mark to slip ahead of her.
September 5, 2012
Skyline Marina Announces Arrival of 2013 Meridian Yachts
Skyline Marina has announced that they have already sold both a 391 and a 441 Meridian 2013 model. These represent great value in a flying bridge boat. Meridian Yachts is the industry leader in the growing Sedan Bridge segment of the marine market. The lineup consists of four models, 341 Sedan, 391 Sedan, 441 Sedan and the Flagship 541 Sedan.
September 4, 2012
Day 1-3 – 2012 Paralympic Sailing Events
Its been no vacation for our Paralympic Sailors this weekend. All three fleets have completed a 6 of 11 races already. The event started on Saturday and they now have three days of racing completed with three more to go. 2.4M – Our Gold Medalist for Beijing – Paul Tingley – has shown some flashes of brilliance but has really been having a tough event. His is sitting in 5th overall with 5 races to go. With 30 points, he is only 10 points out of 3rd but it will not be an easy margin to make up. So far his finishes have been 6, 7, 2, 10,9, and 6.
September 4, 2012
Paralympics London 2012 – Canadian Paralympic Sailing Team All Set
The London 2012 Paralympic Games are set to get underway tomorrow. Over the past few days, the Canadian Paralympic Sailing team has had training, measuring, opening ceremonies and now a practice race under their belts. It has been a very busy week and year for sure but the preparation is now done! There were a variety of conditions for practice racing with the SKUD and 2.4's sailing in the morning race. Winds ranged from very light, three knots up to 8-10kts with 90 degrees of compass change. The team looked strong on the water today helping them get rid of the jitters before tomorrow.
September 4, 2012
Olympian Chris Cook joins CYA High Performance team
The Canadian Yachting Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Cook to the new position of Development Team Manager. Chris is a high performing Finn sailor who finished 5th in the 2008 Olympic Games and had numerous , podium finishes at International and North American based championships including a recent Bronze Medal finish at the World Cup Event in Palma in 2012. Chris was on target to compete in his 2nd games this year until struck by illness in the final trial. His immediate support for his fellow Finn sailor, Greg Douglas, who benefitted most from Chris’s withdrawal, was a display of his high quality sportsmanship.
August 31, 2012
‘The Gambler’ Ready to Roll Again
Paul Tingley isn't in London to "defend" his Paralympic Games sailing title. Make no mistake about it – the 42-year-old from Halifax believes he's more than capable of repeating as the champion of the 2.4mR class he mastered in 2008 in Beijing. He's done everything possible to get ready for his fourth Paralympic competition, including training with Swedish coach Stellan Berlin in waters off the English coast to prepare himself for the conditions he'll face in the days to come. But defence doesn't seem to be in the playbook of the sailor nicknamed The Gambler in some circles for his penchant for taking risks – many of which tend to pay off in a big way.
August 30, 2012
Countdown to London 2012
“The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle, the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.” When he spoke these words, Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin, recognized as the founder of the modern Olympic Games, could not have envisaged that the initial event with nine sports and 14 nations would grow to include 33 sports, 200 nations, and 13,000 athletes. Nor could he have foreseen the multi-million dollar industry that the Olympics would become or that the triumph would become more important than the struggle – at least in the eyes of those who provide the majority of funding.
August 27, 2012
Paralympic Sailing Team is Ready!
Only 2 days before the Paralympics kick off and the Canadians are well prepared! The sailing Canadian Paralympic Sailors team have arrived in Weymouth and had a few days to practice with their competition to get their boats completely tuned and ready to race. Team Leader Brian Todd sends in a report as of Sunday. The rain stopped and the sun came out in Weymouth today, which set up for an excellent day of training. The Sonar, Skud and 2.4 all spent a full day on the water in one of the few remaining days to get the boat and rig tuned and ready for the Games.
August 24, 2012
Marine Trades Textbook is a Must-Read for All Boaters
This new textbook, written for the high-school and post-secondary levels is a handbook for all boaters. Fundamentals of Marine Service Technology (ISBN 978-0-9856847-0-9) was published by The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) with support from The Kathy and Jerry Wood Foundation. Topics include the basics of boathandling and safety, marine systems design and maintenance, boatbuilding materials and construction, and everything in between. Authors Ed Sherman, Director of Educational Programming for ABYC, and Tim Murphy, Editor at Large for Cruising World magazine, give concise explanations and descriptions to educate boaters of all levels.
August 24, 2012
A+ for Aquanaute’s 2012 Rendez-vous Nautique
The 9th edition of the annual Rendez-Vous Nautique earned once again an A+ note. After two consecutive postponements due to bad weather, the event was held on Sunday, August 19th, at the beach of Oka National Park on the Lake of Two Mountains. The event organizers, Aquanaute Training Centre, were delighted with this year’s overall attendance of over 100 boats, which makes this event still the most popular in its kind in Quebec. The Rendez-Vous Nautique is held once a year for pleasure craft operators – motor boats, sailing boats, PWCs, canoes, kayaks and all other types of vessels – who join the celebration from all parts of Quebec and, for the first time, even from Ontario.
August 23, 2012
Harper Government Supports the 2012 CORK OCR and International Regatta
On behalf of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), Gord Brown, Member of Parliament (Leeds-Grenville), today confirmed the Government of Canada's contribution to the Canadian Yachting Association in support of the 2012 CORK OCR and International Regatta. This year's event, which was held from August 13 to 22, featured 800 sailors from 15 countries. "The Government of Canada is pleased to continue to support this international event in the historic city of Kingston," said Minister of State Gosal. "The organizers and volunteers have provided the opportunity for our sailors to compete against the best in the world, while bringing an economic boost to the region."
August 21, 2012
Horizon Yacht Charters Offers a 30% Discount on Caribbean Sailing Vacations
Why not extend the summer by taking a sailing vacation in the Caribbean? Warm, sunny days coupled with balmy tradewinds and turquoise waters, there couldn’t be a better time of year to enjoy some R&R. Horizon Yacht Charters, with Caribbean bases in the BVI, Grenada, Antigua and St Maarten, are currently offering a 30% discount on all 10 night charters. Valid on selected yachts, from November 1 – December 17, 2012, it’s the perfect time to top up your winter tan.
August 20, 2012
Overall Winners of Chester Race Week 2012 Are All Winners!
Chester Race Week ended with glorious sun and good wind. The competitors were happy with the race management and the evening parties, which didn't start until 9:30 and were extremely well attended with 3 great local bands and wonderful Dark 'n Stormies at the bar. Sound like fun? Why not put it on your calendar for next year and come on down to Nova Scotia to enjoy the saltwater, great seafood, wonderful hospitality, and fabulous racing in Mahone Bay… a heck of a lot of sailors already do!
August 20, 2012
Crew of Teenage Girls Tackle Chester RW with Confidence and Great Fun
Two years ago, I interviewed Amy Minnikin and her mom, Paula, as they had just taken possession of a Ranger 28 that they named Ry’n Sun. They were given this boat by a friend and it was in pretty rough shape. After a lot of hard work and elbow grease, they boat started to come back to life, and the mom/daughter duo started to race together. Today, Amy has started to sail without mom, and has her own crew of dedicated, bright, young women (all between the ages of 15-17) who have banded together as a team to sail Ry’n Sun.
August 20, 2012
Day 3 of Chester Race Week
Heading into the last day here at Chester Race Week, there are some very exciting races for first place in both Distance Divisions and the Bravo 1 Division. Yesterday’s weather brought in cloud and sun, but very light winds, which some of the fleet found to be very challenging. However, the leaders always seem to rise to the top. Results heading in the final day of racing have many boats vying neck and neck for trophies and bragging rights.
August 20, 2012
Olympic Sailors at Chester Race Week
Chester Race Week made a special announcement to the racers amassed in front of the Chester Yacht Club during the post race debriefing; competing in this year’s regatta were 10 Olympians and one Olympic coach. A loud yell of support and recognition was given by the competitors as the Olympians had their pictures taken in front of CYC. Many of the Olympians were at Chester organizing this big event and many were out there competing. The 1976 Olympic Soling Team of Andreas Josenhans, Glen Dexter, and Sandy Macmillan, were well represented with Andreas as the Principal Race Officer, Sandy racing on Brilliance (J120), and Glen racing on Odyssey (Swan 57).
August 17, 2012
The Vancouver International Boat Show Introduces New Photo Contest
The Vancouver International Boat Show is launching 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.
August 17, 2012
Day 2 at Chester Race Week
Day 2 at Chester Race week saw a nice 10-15 knot breeze in the morning and early afternoon. By the middle of the afternoon, a typical Nova Scotia weather system moved into place with fierce wind and torrential rain. However, the sailors took it all in stride and “weathered” the storm, albeit, coming into the clubhouse a little wet. Most race courses were able to get in at least one race and some three. This regatta, brings generations of sailors and families together for the week. It is not uncommon to see 2 or 2 generations of sailors on the same boat with junior taking the helm.
August 16, 2012
Chester Race Week Day One
Chester, Nova Scotia is once again home to the famous Chester Race Week, being held August 15-18. This race has been in existence for over 100 years, starting originally with fishermen’s sailboats. This year’s registrations are at a healthy 143 boats with the addition of another race course. In sailing circles Chester Race Week is one of the great regattas, full on racing, great parties and the prettiest scenery anywhere! Race Chairman John Curry opened the regatta proclaiming the early morning fog would clear and sure to his word the skies turned blue and a great day of racing took place. ”Conditions couldn’t have been better” said Curry who was on the alpha course, “after a very short delay a fresh southerly breeze came in and delivered a full day of racing”.
August 16, 2012
Canadian Olympian is National Sailing Hall of Fame Inductee
Canadian native Bruce Kirby (Ottawa, Ontario) has been named as one of the nine sailors who are members of the 2012 class of inductees into the National Sailing Hall of Fame. Kirby, a newspaperman and former editor of One Design Yachtsman (predecessor to Sailing Worldmagazine) is internationally known as the designer of the Laser which is sailed in Olympic competition. Over 250,000 of the one-design single-person boat have been built since the early ‘70s. His designs also include the America’s Cup 12-Metres Canada I and Canada II, as well as the Ideal 18, San Juan 24 and the Sonar, which is raced in the Paralympics.
August 13, 2012
Canadian Tammy Wolf Current Formula-3 Series Points Leader
The Formula 3, Region 6 Championships were held in beautiful Marietta, Ohio at the 12th annual Riverfront Roar. Formula powerboat racing has become the primary event in this quaint Ohio town. Once a year, this historic riverfront area is ignited into a powerboat racing arena. Thousands of people gather along the Ohio River to watch the powerboat races. Last Friday as race teams arrived to set up there pit area. Gary Williams, chair of the Riverfront Roar committee said “The turnout this year is great…Friday evening was very crowded and, we believe, set a record for the Riverfront Roar opening night attendance.”