Learn Something New Every Day
Docking and Line Handling
Learn techniques that will help take the stress out of docking. Learn tips & tricks for docking in tidal waters, with a special emphasis on common problems encountered by couples and short-handed crews. Whether you are new to boating or handling boat that are new to you, learn a fundamental set of skills to help you take your boat into unknown territory. With a focus on getting underway and docking – this discussion will help you prepare yourself, and your crew – regardless of their experience level – to help make docking less stressful whether at the helm of when handing lines. Topics include: Situational Awareness, Forces, Managing Currents & Wind, Spring Lines, Line Handling, & Communication.
Speaker: Tracy Sarich
Tracy Sarich is an Advanced Sailing Instructor and passionate advocate for power and sail instruction, working with clients at all stages of their boating careers and instructors throughout B.C. to help experienced sailors create competent, skilled boaters achieve their sailing and power boating dreams. She brings to her instruction more than 20 years of sailing experience, including boat ownership of three sailboats and 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 from beginner to Yachtmaster Offshore and her own 54’ cutter sloop.
Wednesday, February 1*
3:30pm – Room 3
Thursday, February 2*
4:15pm – Room 2
Charter as a step to Ownership
Navigating what you WANT and NEED
This presentation is geared to potential boat owners who are looking to purchase in the next 1-2 years. This workshop will cover 5 areas that will help future boat owners set realistic expectations and avoid some of the potential disappointment that comes after a major boat purchase. It explores some of the major benefits of chartering before you buy and helps future boat owners think about how to offset ownership expenses through participating in a charter fleet. Topics include: Beyond the photos – what life on board is really like; Layout, layout, layout – every boat is different; Dock it before you buy it – know what to expect; The great gas reality – understanding fuel usage; and Keeping costs low – the benefits to being in a charter fleet.
Speaker: Chris Judge
Chris Judge has spent his entire life on and around the water. From managing a marina in the heart of Ontario’s cottage country to working with yacht owners on the West Coast to help maximize and protect their investments, Chris has made a career of helping people spend more time on the water. Chris has sold and represented smaller boat brands like Sea Ray, Chris Craft & Nautique, but his real passion is expedition and cruising yachts. Spending time 100+ days a year on a wide variety power and sailing yachts give Chris the unique perspective of being able to see and experience what works well and how different boats appeal to different types of boaters.
Friday, February 3*
3:30pm – Room 3
Saturday, February 4*
1:30pm – Room 3
So, You Want to be an Instructor?
After years on the water sharing their passion with friends and family, many sailors and power boaters think about becoming an instructor. If you have thought about teaching others how to sail or handle power boats, whether as a part-time gig or as a full-time endeavor, the maze of certification programs and options often generate more questions than answers. Learn more about how to prepare yourself to take this step and share your passion with others in this interactive panel discussion.
Speaker: Tracy Sarich
Friday, February 3*
4:30pm – Room 3
Journey to Alaska - Favorite Routes and Anchorages
Chris Fairbanks has travelled the Inside Passage since 1984, leading the Alaska Flotilla for NW Explorations for the past 10 years. Chris has travelled many routes and anchored in many bays with cruising individuals, couples, and large groups. In this interactive slideshow, Chris will share his extensive knowledge of the Inside Passage, share some of his favorite places to stop, and inspire you to take your own remarkable journey to Alaska.
Speaker: Chris Fairbanks
Chris Fairbanks has more than 25 years of experience operating pleasure boats and fishing vessels in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. He holds a USCG 100-ton Captain’s license and is a certified powerboat and sailing instructor. Chris has been teaching powerboat operations, navigation, and seamanship for NW Explorations for 10 years as the Corporate Captain of their Southeast Alaska flotilla. Chris’s annual explorations throughout the Inside Passage, from Puget Sound up to Southeast Alaska provides invaluable local knowledge of the region’s most beautiful and challenging cruising grounds.
Saturday, February 4*
2:30pm – Room 3
Sunday, February 5*
12:30pm – Room 3
Transitioning to New Boats – Sail, Power, Multihull
Many long-time boaters seek new opportunities to enjoy the water by transitioning to power boats from sailing monohulls or want the additional space that a multi-hull provides. But do all of the skills you’ve mastered translate to a new vessel? Yes and no. In this interactive discussion you will learn the key considerations and differences to keep in mind when making these changes and learn what you will need to charter boats of a different size and type when chartering in BC and beyond.
Speakers: Simon Angus & Colin Jackson
Simon Angus is a professional mechanical engineer with a background in project management and a passion for sailing who owns Open Waters Yachts, a catamaran builder focused on making catamaran cruising more exciting and sustainable. He understands how goals affect performance and has a passion for helping people clarify and make choices when designing their dream boats.
Colin Jackson has spent his life aboard sail, power, and catamarans of all sizes. During the course of his career, he has bought, sold, and built boats and helped thousands of charter clients and students of sail and power boating find their passion and the best boats to suit their needs.
Saturday, February 4*
12:00pm – Room 1
Sunday, February 5*
2:00pm – Room 1
South Coast British Columbia
Get ready to take notes for your upcoming trips this summer and have an incredible time. Hear from the region’s top instructors about their favorite places to anchor and enjoy all that the region has to offer. In this fun discussion about favorite places in the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound & Discovery Islands, and more!
Speaker: Tracy Sarich
Sunday, February 5*
1:30pm – Room 3
Coastal Navigation
British Columbia is one of the most beautiful and accessible places to sail and power boat – and one of the most complex. RCMSAR coxswain Mark Winfield teaches recreational boaters on power and sail throughout B.C. how to safely navigate and use electronic instruments to ensure a safe and fun time on the water. In this interactive discussion, you will learn the best ways to understand how the various navigation tools available on your personal vessel or charter boat can be put to their highest use.
Speaker: Mark Winfield
Whether racing, cruising, skippering or instructing – Mark Winfield is happiest on the water. His extensive instructor and boat ownership experience informs his instruction as he understands the needs and concerns of boat owners who are new to boating and those who are preparing to embark on adventures to far off shores. He is an advanced sailing and power boating instructor who is also a coxswain/instructor with RCM-SAR on Vancouver Island where he trains marine rescue crew up to the coxswain level year-round. His extensive experience in the waters around the UK and France as well as the Mediterranean, Caribbean and west coast of Canada/USA informs his instruction – helping clients understand how the complexities of our beautiful B.C. coast can prepare boaters of all experience levels to pursue their bluewater dreams.
Thursday, February 2*
6:00pm – Room 1
Friday, February 3*
1:30pm – Room 3
South Coast British Columbia
Get ready to take notes for your upcoming trips this summer and have an incredible time. Hear from the region’s top instructors about their favorite places to anchor and enjoy all that the region has to offer. In this fun discussion about favorite places in the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound & Discovery Islands, and more!
Speaker: Henry Tkachyk
Originally from Alberta, Henry Tkachyk has always been the happiest on the water – racing, sailing, fishing, and cruising with family and friends. For more than 20 years, the B.C. coast has been Henry’s cruising grounds on power boats and sailing monohulls and catamarans. His extensive local knowledge has provided sail and power students opportunities to explore the West Coast’s most secluded bays and beaches of Desolation Sound and the busy and warm waters of the Gulf Islands. Henry’s balanced approach to instruction on power, sail, and catamarans focuses on enjoying the cruising lifestyle and preparing skippers to enjoy their vacations with the highest level of skill.
Friday, February 3*
12:30pm – Room 3
Our Full Calendar
Wednesday, February 1
3:30 p.m. Docking & Line Handling with Tracy Sarich
Thursday, February 2
4:15 p.m. Docking & Line Handling with Tracy Sarich
6:00 p.m. Coastal Navigation with Mark Winfield
Friday, February 3
12:30 p.m. South Coast B.C. with Henry Tkachyk
1:30 p.m. Coastal Navigation with Mark Winfield
3:30 p.m. Charter as a Step to Ownership with Chris Judge
4:30 p.m. Becoming an Instructor with Tracy Sarich
Saturday, February 4
12:00 p.m. Transitioning to New Boats with Colin Jackson and Simon Angus
1:30 p.m. Charter as a Step to Ownership with Chris Judge
2:30 p.m. Journey to Alaska – Favorite Routes & Anchorages with Chris Fairbanks
Sunday, February 5
12:30 p.m. Journey to Alaska – Favorite Routes & Anchorages with Chris Fairbanks
1:30 p.m. South Coast B.C. with Tracy Sarich
2:00 p.m. Transitioning to New Boats with Colin Jackson and Simon Angus
*Subject to change. Visit the Vancouver Boat Show Seminars & Workshops for updates.
