Casting-off and Enjoying the Cruising Life
“We’ll leave when everything on the “to-do-list” is completed.” Sometimes that’s easier said than done. All some individuals do is work on their boat, but it never leave the dock. They have dreams of cruising B.C.’s Coast but they spend every free moment onboard working on their beloved boat trying to make it perfect. Should […]
Boating with Guests
For a successful experience boating with guests, whether for a short tour of local waters or for an extended multiple-night excursion, managing expectations and fostering communication are important factors. It’s important to be clear with guests about the limitations of boat travel, and to keep expectations reasonable. Share the itinerary and activities with guests well […]
Preparing Your Diesel Engine for Cruising
For many coastal cruisers, there’s nothing more pleasurable than sitting at anchor in a secluded cove of northern British Columbia or southeast Alaska. Many of us do just that every year, cruising for two to five months at a time. But what if you are new to a diesel engine and/or extended cruising? How do […]
Handy Galley Tools
Everyone knows what you need in a good kitchen. It starts with a complete set of sharp knives and a means to keep them sharpened, good pots and pans, a solid cutting board, and the right bowls and utensils to whisk, flip, and mix. On a boat, you need all these things, too, though often […]
Tips for the First Time Inside a Passage Cruiser
Who among us hasn’t daydreamed about the ultimate cruise up the beautiful and breathtaking B.C. Coast? The one where you depart in June and you’re self-sufficient until returning home in September. For many boaters it’s just that, a dream for whatever reason. It doesn’t need to be just a dream once the decision is made […]
Know The Rules of The Road
While driving your car, you operate in a well-organized environment. There are roads, lanes, signs, traffic signals and rules. But on the water, it’s wide open. Except for marked channels, there is no roads, lanes, signs, or signals. Most of the time we are on the water, we spend travelling freely without any fear or […]
Keeping Your Fenders Looking New
Nothing spoils a boat’s appearance as much as dirty, stained fenders hanging from the rails or lined up on the deck. Dirty fenders leave ugly streaks on the hull that can be difficult to remove. So, it’s important to keep your fenders looking new. Although scrubbing a dirty fender with boat soap or detergent will […]
When (Anchor) Size Does Matter
Anchoring can be a humbling experience, even for seasoned skippers. But the use of the proper style oversize ground equipment eases the process and makes you look like a pro. When selecting an anchor, you have three styles to choose from. The fluke style is light and easy to weigh, it stows flat and holds […]
Spring Cleaning and Polishing
The annual ritual of washing and polishing the boat before spring use can be tedious. It doesn’t need to be though. There are ways to make the effort more effective and to avoid mistakes that will create more work. Even though your boat may have been protected by a boat house or by shrink-wrap during […]
PRE-SEASON INFLATABLE CARE
Most inflatable boats are used as tenders and are subjected to some tough conditions, but if maintained properly they should provide 10 to 20 years of service. A little springtime preventive maintenance will help extend a tender’s life and provide a worry-free season of use. – Start by ensuring the boat is properly inflated. Fill […]