Featured Sailmaker – Carol Hasse
Many a sailor has heard the line that sailing is the fine art of going no where fast. For racers and cruisers alike, the pursuit of speed is always in sight. But for serious cruisers and people seeking a fun, relaxing charter holiday, safety and comfort share equal importance. As we seek to inspire and prepare you […]
Boom Preventers & Safe Mainsail Handling
Downwind sailing, while glorious, requires careful attention to the boom. The dangers of accidental gybes to crew and equipment cannot be overstated. Boom preventers can be purchased – like this Winchard Gyb’Easy– or if you have sufficiently long line, you can rig one yourself. As you consider the best choices for your sailboat, there are […]
Tracy Sarich, Advanced Sailing Instructor
Tracy is an Advanced Sailing Instructor who leads the training and flotilla programs for NW Yacht Group/Cooper Boating in Canada. Tracy has more than 20 years of sailing experience, including offshore deliveries. She has sailed extensively throughout Puget Sound and the Southern Coast of British Columbia, including the West Coast of Vancouver Island, on courses […]
Winter Boating in the PNW
Many people from the East Coast and Great Lakes regions ask whether we keep our boats in the water over winter. Yes – we do. While temperatures sometimes drop below freezing and snow does fall in the coastal areas each winter – the climate is mild enough to allow for year-round boating, if you have […]
Don’t Leave Home Without It – Coastal Navigation
Many people come to B.C. for the beauty. But did you know that the inside passage of British Columbia is one of the most complex areas in the world – making this one of the best places in the world to learn to become a skilled skipper. Coastal Navigation is essential for keeping your crew […]
Island of the Sea Wolves
If you plan to visit Vancouver Island, don’t miss the new Netflix docuseries Island of the Sea Wolves. Wild rainforests, seas and rivers teaming with life, and some of the last standing old growth forests in the world – Vancouver looms large in this beautifully photographed, inspiring series that will be fun to watch over […]
Of Deadheads & Disabled Props
Keeping a close eye is an essential part of coastal navigation in British Columbia. Crab pots, kelp beds, floating logs, and the deceptive knot of twigs hiding a large root-ball and log below require a careful watch – a fun task for crew as they keep a careful eye out for whales and other wildlife. […]
Whale Sanctuaries – Keep Out!
Many boaters don’t know about areas reserved for the whales Our beloved Southern Resident killer whales have been given an extra layer of protection through the creation of Santuary Zones that restrict all travel in these precious foraging areas. This link shows you where these locations are found. If you use Navionics, these areas are indicated as […]
