Vancouver Island Yacht Charters

Nanaimo

The Arctic Ocean is of great importance to us here at Nanaimo, as it is linked with the North Pacific which we enjoy daily, via the Bering Sea. So, we wanted to take some time to look at one of the greatest challenges the Arctic is facing at the moment; plastic. Now this of course, is not a new problem. But it is one that is becoming increasingly pressing, and increasingly widespread. In September, a research team from Exeter University in England, found that plastic is polluting even the most remote ice flows of the Arctic. The Arctic Mission party discovered blocks of polystyrene in areas of ocean covering hundreds of kilometres, which was recently covered by ice all years around. Take a moment to let that image sink in. This unfathomable find was merely 1000 miles from the north pole. Once where ice dominated, now the highly irritating and environmentally cataclysmic poly-plastic stands. Incomprehensible. Plastic is so threatening to the oceans ecosystem because it breaks down into microplastics which are ingested by creatures large and small, which we as humans then eat. This plastic catastrophe is literally affecting every living organism in the world.   The layer of sea […]

Nanaimo

When planning a holiday sailing to Vancouver Island and along the coastline of Beautiful British Columbia, it is important to know what level of sailing experience and certification is required as it can be challenging sailing depending on what time of year you visit. Sailing in Vancouver is like no other with a varied year-round climate offering brilliant outdoor pursuits. Sailing Area The sailing in Vancouver ranges across a wide area, from the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, the San Juan Islands and the Sunshine Coast, an area that stretches along the Strait of Georgia from Howe Sound to Desolation Sound, with many communities to see and superb scenery to enjoy. Sailing Conditions Sailing in Vancouver the primary sailing season is from May through to September, however, a great mix of sailing conditions prevails throughout the year, so if you prefer to enjoy some more challenging conditions or varied sailing then you can sail throughout the year. High Season conditions From April to May, you can expect changeable weather. It is normal to expect strong winds in these spring months, but the weather is warming up and it is a beautiful time of year, with everything coming into bloom. It is also […]

Nanaimo

Yachting in heavy weather in Vancouver Being prepared is the most important thing when embarking on a Vancouver yachting trip. When it comes to the weather, you must be prepared for all of the eventualities as it can turn on you at any time. When particularly rough weather hits, the best course of action of course is to head back to shore where possible but where this is not possible or practical everyone aboard should be ready for the worst. The preparation for heavy weather There is plenty of opportunity to be prepared for heavy weather, if you have kept a proper lookout with a keen and well trained ‘weather-eye’, and also kept abreast of the latest developments over radio and other forms of mobile communications. What preparation is necessary will vary according to the type of boat, and the size and the design of the vessel.To be well prepared, determine position of storm, the direction of the wind, and the speed and the estimated time that the storm will take to get to you. Predicting heavy weather It can be impossible to predict the weather so to speak, but it is possible to learn some tell-tale signs of a […]

Nanaimo

Previously we touched on some navigational terms and elements that are fundamental sailing school skills as part of learning about navigation. This time we are going to look at what is actually involved in doing a sailing course on Coastal Navigation. There is no prerequisite required before you do this course and it is of great benefit to everyone who operated a sail boat, power boat or even a kayak, as essentially if you play on the water you need to know how to read a chart, how to determine your position and how to use the Tide and Currents table to ensure your and your crew’s safety. The coastal navigation course teaches you sailing school skills that ensure safe and successful navigation along coastal waters, an essential sailing school skill for sailing around the beautiful coastal waters off Vancouver island. If you were to complete the Coastal Navigation course, then this will give you the confidence and skills required to safely navigate your way through challenging conditions, changing tides and current, and shallow water. International Sail & Power Association or CYA Theory Certification The first part of the course is theory and normally involves home based study working through […]

Nanaimo

Vancouver and Nanaimo are the best places on earth to go whale watching. Even better if you are keeping watch whilst cruising on a board a yacht. At the beginning of the year, a group of lucky fisherman had a very special experience when two humpback whales got up close and personal. A truly magical moment. There is nothing better than seeing such a beautiful creature in their natural habitat as you enjoy the water and stunning sea views. Your chances of seeing these majestic beasts is pretty good on the waters around Nanaimo, especially between April and October when Orca Whales frolic in the south. But if you want to go with the professionals, there are various whale watching organisations in the area who host responsible whale tours. There is also the opportunity to see Humpbacks, Grey Whales, Minke Whales, Sea Lions, Dall’s Porpoises, Bald Eagles, and Harbour Seals. If you are lucky of course. The Orca Whales reside in the south for much of the year, and as they are very social animals they travel in three familial pods known as ‘J Pod’, ‘K Pod’ and ‘L Pod’. As well as those in residence there are also what […]

Nanaimo

Are you planning to be sailing Vancouver soon and wondering when the best time of year to visit is? Well Vancouver has much to offer at all times of year as the changing seasons really provide spectacular scenery on and around this beautiful island. The popular high season in the Summer, runs from July to September when Vancouver celebrates the Summer with all sorts of festivals; of music, art and film, and a magnificent annual fireworks competition! Generally the temperatures hover around 20C and warm sunny days are the norm. On the water the evenings can get chilly, so definitely be prepared with lightweight jackets and sweaters. Spring, from around April to June is also a wonderful time to sail Vancouver, the fresh spring breezes and the beautiful spring blossom make this a stunning time of year to visit. Vancouver really begins to come to life in the Spring with lots of outdoor activities, spring sales and festivals. A fabulous destination for a family Spring break as the weather is mainly mild. Fall on Vancouver Island tends to be very mild and sometimes the summer weather can continue until October! You will experience some spectacular sights with the fall foliage, […]

Nanaimo

You may question whether it is a good idea to bring children along on a yacht charter in Vancouver, and you would be right to give it some serious consideration for many reasons. There is safety to consider and the worry that being cooped up will cause boredom for the young ones resulting in stress for the adults. However, there are more reasons to take them along with you, as long as you plan and take necessary precautions. There are four key things to contemplate beforehand: Safety on board Discussing the safety rules of a charter before the trip is a must. The children must be briefed as to where the safety equipment is (such as life jackets and other floatation aids), and how to use it. This may seem daunting, but actually, kids love to play pirate, and adore boats. They will really enjoy the learning experience as they will see it as an important part of their role on board. Children love to be given ownership over things, and feel a part of it all. Rule enforcement will be necessary, but you can do it in such a way that is fun, engaging, and not at all dictatorial. […]

Nanaimo

One of the most necessary, but odious jobs, you should do as an owner of a yacht in Vancouver or anywhere for that matter! Is the annual anti-fouling of your yacht. It’s a very important winter maintenance job that will give your yacht excellent protection against fouling that can take hold on your hull. If left then this fouling can cause you lots of ongoing maintenance problems, not to mention a fall in the boats performance, safety and hull structure! Sound harsh? Well by being prepared and anti-fouling your boat regularly you can give it the best protection for the next sailing season. Here’s how… Your yacht needs to be out of the water and a thorough check of the hull performed, looking for any damage such as blistering paint or cracking. Once any damage is repaired then the hull will need to be sanded (keyed) and primed ready for the first coat of anti-fouling paint. The paint, is a specialized formulation of water-soluble bio-active ingredients and compounds, which will slow the formation and growth of marine organisms like algae and barnacles. It is well worth following the manufacturers guidelines on how to apply the anti-foul paint and the number […]

Nanaimo

So here at Nanaimo we often nod to the history of  this great region, but we have never really looked right back, in depth, at the history of this land. That changes now. In this article we will look at how the island first came to being, who the first settlers were, and other key points in Vancouver Island’s history. We will also discuss how you can make your mark in the history books of the future. How was the Island formed? So as you probably know, all land is formed by a shift in plates. Vancouver Island was formed around 150 million years ago, when volcanic activity pushed sedimentary rock upwards from the sea floor to form the island landscape. Around 12,000 years BC the retreating of glaciers allowed the Strait of Juan de Fuca to be formed as the Pacific Ocean flooded inland. The first tree can be dated back to 377 BC – it was a yellow cedar – a variety of tree which can now be seen in abundance across the region. Of course it is interesting to note, new islands can be formed at any time, and also be lost. There are a number of […]

Nanaimo

The Nanaimo Marine Festival started in 1966 as a celebration of Canada’s 100th birthday and will be 50 years old in 2016. Happy Birthday! This year’s festivities will be held from the 21st of July to the 24th. If you are on a yacht charter holiday throughout this period, the event is really one not to be missed – especially for boating enthusiasts. The main course of the festival if you will, is most certainly the world renowned Great International World Championship Bathtub Race. Last year saw a change in how this race ran. Previously racers would end their journey at Departure Bay beach, but despite that glorious bit of irony it was changed to mean both the start and finish lines are situated at Maffeo Sutton Park. It was believed this change was made last year, to iron out any potential difficulties before the celebrations of 2016 hit. Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society member Bill McGuire says the change was made because people viewing the race would often only watch the start or the end. Now viewers can more easily see both, which is of course a more pleasurable experience. Not only is this better for the people watching the […]