Vancouver Island Yacht Charters

Nanaimo

We have touched on navigation here before as it is an essential sailing school skill to learn, either here at Nanaimo or wherever you are learning to sail. Before we looked at the two fundamental sides to navigation i.e. To know exactly where you re at any given moment Knowing which way to go in order to best reach your intended destination. So continuing on from this at sailing school, learning the basics of navigation includes knowledge on certain elements, which are known as Position, Distance, Direction and Time. Learning these terminologies will make it much easier to learn and understand Navigation much better. So let’s look at the different navigational terms in more detail; Position The position of your sailboat can be stated in terms of coordinates of longitude and latitude of an imaginary grid placed on the surface of the earth. You can direct your sailboat to any direction you like once you have determined the exact position that you are in. Distance This is another very important element of Navigation. Between two points, the length of the straight line that connects them is what we call Distance. In navigational terms this distance is measured in terms of […]

Nanaimo

A new initiative is afoot in Nanaimo. A leadership group is looking to build relationships between Nanaimo businesses like ourselves and the indigenous population. So much of Vancouver Island is reliant on the outstanding natural beauty of the area, but the rich cultural heritage embodied within that is too often ignored. The initiative entitled ‘Toolbox for Change: a Local Perspective on Indigenous Culure’ launched this month (May, 2016) consists of a series of cedar boxes being sent to various points in the community via a mobile library. These boxes hold a whole host of interesting artefacts including books on indigenous culture to help educate the wider community about this group of people.The boxes themselves have the beaver, the eagle, the raven, the bear, and the wold on the box – these animals symbolise the main family groups of the nation. Instigated by the Leadership of Vancouver Island – a leadership development programme in the area, the project aims to reconcile some difficulties between indigenous populations and the new settlers. Tara Plett, spokeswoman for the initiative said how the initiative is mainly aimed at the over 25s, as there is a gap to bridge in the knowledge of younger and older […]

Nanaimo

When taking on a new hobby, there is always the fear of walking into the class for the first time and being judged. This fear is usually amplified if there are mixed genders in the class, and so single gender classes can be a way to try new things with less of the social anxiety that can come with that. Sailing courses are no different. Many women want to learn in a fun, relaxed environment and gender politics can often cloud that. Female instructors tend to have a better understanding of these fears and thoughts and can be better at teaching women in ways that women learn best. Ladies only sailing courses are often easier as it takes away the problem of sharing a cabin with a stranger of the opposite sex. This can make many women (and men for that matter) uncomfortable and significantly detract from the overall learning experience. You are of course, there to learn so that you can enjoy your new found skills later with loved ones, or potential partners, as well as friends and family. Some men also have the tendency to ‘mansplain’ – that is, re-explain something in their language just to check women […]

Nanaimo

If you are an experienced sailor then you may already know these nuggets of information. Cooking on board can be great fun or if after 4 days afloat you are still eating canned soup and sandwiches then you may want to think about being more inventive. Whatever the holiday, normally food is an important aspect. If you are staying close to port then people often eat ashore, but if you want to enjoy the seclusion and majesty of parts of our recommended itineraries then you will need to plan and shop ahead. On board cooking tips Do an inventory Have a good look through the kitchen area and work out what equipment you have and more importantly if there is any essential equipment you are missing. If there are dishes you’d like to cook which require unusual ingredients such as particular spices it is worthwhile bringing them with you. Plan out the main meals Lunches can be easy – fresh bread, cheese, ham and some salad and hey presto lunch is done. Snacks are also easy – crisps, crackers, fruit and some local biscuits make for a good snack cupboard. Evening meals though need to be well planned – the […]

Nanaimo

When embarking on a yacht charter with Nanaimo Yacht Charter, you have to stop and take a moment to appreciate the variety of incredible creatures you are sharing the waters with. From the humble sea urchin, to the great Orca. The diversity of marine life in British Columbia is truly something to be awed and appreciated. In this article, we are going to walk you through some of our favourites to keep an eye out for on your yachting voyage. We look forward to hearing about all your personal experiences with some of these creatures of the sea when you visit us. The Orca Not that this magnificent creature needs much of an introduction, but the Orca (more commonly known as the Killer Whale) is actually a quite misunderstood creature. Now, not to shatter your dreams, but it isn’t advised to try out some Free Willy style moves with these Kings of the Sea, but you can enjoy them from the comfort and luxury of your Nanaimo yacht charter. The population of Orcas in the Northeast Pacific are currently listen as ‘threatened’ with some pods as ‘endangered’. Pods known as the Southern Population stretch from the Queen Charlotte Islands here […]

Nanaimo

As well as the variety of nightlife available in Nanaimo, perfect for when you are on the deck of your yacht, having a few drinks with your friends, and the rum runs out. There is a different kind of bar which you must check out whilst in Nanaimo. This bar is a decadent, creamy, chocolatey indulgence certainly not for the faint of heart. The bar originated in Nanaimo itself – hence the name! It dates back to the early fifties in the Edith Adams cookbook (14th edition) although there was some controversy when someone claimed it was published in a newspaper earlier under a different name such as chocolate slice, or fridge cake. Who knew baking could be so catty? It has since appeared in numerous cookbooks across the globe in its various forms. It seems to be a favorite among the ladies – so gentleman, why not try making your own version to impress the lovely lady in your life? It couldn’t be more simple… It consists of all of the main ingredients of chocolate based puddings but for an extra twist in the first layer you add coconut, almonds, and wafer crumbs (it’s a little messy to eat […]

Nanaimo

So a must visit place on your Vancouver yacht charter would definitely be Lopez Island, one of the beautiful San Juan islands. There are just over 170 named islands across the San Juan islands, each one with it’s own laid back atmosphere and stunning scenery, and along with Orcas Island and Shaw Island; Lopez Island is one of the most populated and with plenty to do for all visitors. The San Juan Islands enjoy a lovely year round climate with highs around 70 degrees in the summer and 40 degrees in the winter. About Lopez Island Lopez Island is possibly one the friendliest island, nicknamed “the Friendly Isle” expect to be greeted by the local and even waved out by people from their cars! So it’s a welcome stop on your Vancouver yacht charter. The island is fairly small, just 15 miles long, albeit with 63 miles of stunning coastline to enjoy. There is a year round population of about 2,500 people, from artists, musicians to farmers and fishermen. [mappress mapid=”4″] The landscape is stunning with forests and farmlands covering the interior of the island, and the natural beauty of the shoreline consists of quiet bays and beaches with magnificent […]

Nanaimo

On a Vancouver bareboat charter another island to explore in the Southern Gulf Islands would be Valdes Island, with its towering sandstone cliffs it is an impressive island to visit. Where is Valdes Island? Valdes Island is another of the Southern Gulf islands, found in the Strait of Georgia and sandwiched between Gabriola Island and Galiano Island around 25 miles southeast of Vancouver and it is a lovely place to stop by on your Vancouver bareboat charter to appreciate both the quiet and untouched environment of this beautiful island. There is no ferry service to Valdes Island, access is only by boat or seaplane and thus it is a very quiet spot. History The island itself is named after the Spanish naval office Cayetano Valdez y Bazan who first visited the island in 1792 when he was serving as a lieutenant on the ship Descubierta, he then returned again when he was captain of the Mexicana and explored the area along with Captain Galiano on board the Sutil (hence the names of both of these southern gulf islands!) About Valdes Island The island itself is very small and covers an area of just 9 square miles, being just 1 mile […]

Nanaimo

Must Have Emergency Tools While Sailing in Vancouver It is always absolutely vital to be well prepared before embarking upon any sailing trip in Vancouver and indeed anywhere in the world. This includes, supplies, maintenance equipment, emergency tools, and safety items. On something as complex as a boat, there are many things that can go wrong, and it is of great importance to be as well prepared as possible for all eventualities that can occur. Keeping a comprehensive inventory list of all of the items on board the boat is a good starting point, this way it is easier to check before setting sail that you have everything you might ever need simply by checking the list. Organisation is also crucial. A well organised stock room, medical cabinet, and safety zone make for happier sailors in the event of a crisis. As well as all the usual items, there are some tools that can prove particularly useful in a limitless number of situations on board a vessel. Firstly, an adjustable wrench. This may sound quite commonplace, but you would be surprised how often these are missing off the checklist. A seven inch adjustable wrench can get you out of many […]

Nanaimo

Seasickness, and travel sickness in general is quite a common problem. It can be quite an irritant when it arises, and so it is best to be aware of what it is, and how to prevent it, before entering any potential seasickness inducing situations. What is sea sickness? Also known as motion sickness, this ailment is caused by the disruption of the senses when your body experiences some form of imbalance as occurs on board a sea vessel, or indeed on any form of transportation. This is because you receiving conflicting signals from the senses such as your ears and eyes that do not match up, as your body tries to work out where the centre of gravity may be. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and sometimes sweating. It can appear in ranging levels of severity and is different for every individual. Unlike a number of illnesses, seasickness is not well treated after it begins. Instead it is best to be prepared, and take preventative measures to stop it from taking hold. There are a number of things you can do, some of them more effective than others, and each remedy effects each person in a different way. Therefore it […]