Vancouver Island Yacht Charters

Nanaimo

If you are sailing in Vancouver, the spectacular beauty of Vancouver Island and British Columbia’s coast is unparalleled anywhere in the world. So for a boat charter in Vancouver, you have convenient access to the most central cruising location available on the West coast from Nanaimo. About Nanaimo Aptly meaning “The meeting place”, sometimes known as the Harbour city or Hub City, due to its central location on Vancouver Island and the wealth of activities available from the lovely, island-sheltered harbour right in the centre of the city. Nanaimo is approximately 110 km northwest of Victoria and 55 km west of Vancouver, only separated by the Strait of Georgia, and is British Columbia’s sixth-largest city. It is also the site of the main ferry terminal, and as such a gateway to many destinations on the northern part of the island and the coast. What to do For a starting base for a bareboat yacht charter around Vancouver Island, there is much to do in Nanaimo alone; Enjoy the walkway along the harbour front Hiking and cycling Boating Kayaking Scuba diving and snorkeling. Visit the Nanaimo Museum for a fascinating insight into the history of the city Affordable Art Galleries Spend […]

Nanaimo

To truly experience the spectacular beauty of Vancouver Island and the surrounding Gulf Islands, here is nothing quite like being on a sailboat, with the freedom of the seas, setting your own agenda and experiencing the wind and sails, and if you are a complete beginner with no yachting experience at all, then there is no reason why you can’t give it a go with a few days instruction at a sailing school. With us you can do a 3 day sailing course on the water (not necessarily consecutively) and 3 classroom evenings, in the stunning sailing area of Vancouver, which would give you the ability to cruise safely by day, in moderate wind and sea conditions, in familiar waters as both skipper and crew of a sailboat up to 10m. You don’t need… any previous experience or knowledge of yacht sailing, You will experience… steering a yacht; handling the sails; docking; ropework and knots; safety on board; basic meteorology So why not give it a go, once the sun is on your face, the wind is in your hair and the hum of the yacht sailing below you….Contact us here at www.nanaimoyachtcharters.com and start sailing today!  

Nanaimo

Follow our series on Sailing Hints & Tips, this week we look at the Man Overboard (MOB) Drill. Whilst Sailing is not particularly a dangerous sport, it does of course have specific risks, so it is always good to remind yourself and your crew of the Man Overboard Drill. The following drill will be accepted as part of the Yachtmaster course and will be something that all courses approved by Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) will require of skippers. Alert the Crew – shout “man overboard” and press the Man Overboard button on the GPS, this immediately marks the position. Throw a life buoy and also a dan buoy to the MOB, the life buoy can save their life and a dan buoy allows you to better spot them in the water, even better if it carries a radar reflector. Allocate a member of the crew to maintain sight on the MOB in the water, and keep pointing. Send a Mayday and DSC distress alert. Start the motor if you are under sail, sheet in the mainsail and drop the headsail if you can. Make ready a throwing line and manoeuvre the boat downwind of the MOB, come alongside ensuring the […]

Nanaimo

If you are doing a sailing course with us here at Vancouver Island Sailing School, then you may be wondering what you need to bring with you. We will provide provisioning for the duration of the course and of course the instructor and yacht. But you will need to bring the following in order that you stay comfortable for the duration of your course! Layering up We suggest that in cold weather you will be far warmer wearing multiple thin layers, so bring plenty of fleece and thermal long or short sleeved t-shirts, and quick-drying trousers. If the weather is forecast to be cold, then also bring gloves, hat, scarf and thick socks. Don’t get burnt or bitten! In hot weather again quick drying fabrics are recommended, as they will wick sweat away from your body and keep you ultimately cooler. Don’t forget sun-hats and sunscreen, and sunglasses will be invaluable to keep the glare from the water out of your eyes. Remember insect repellant too, though Mosquitoes aren’t generally a problem here on Vancouver Island On your feet Ideally you will want to be wearing shoes that are designed to be non-slip on yachts and also waterproof, so we […]

Nanaimo

When it comes to organizing a corporate event with a difference, have you ever thought about organizing a yacht charter to sail Vancouver? For an enjoyable and exciting event that will certainly be memorable, it will give you and your staff the opportunity to perhaps try skills that they’ve not tried before and see some of the most beautiful locations around Canada. It goes without saying that the company you choose must operate to the highest of standards and offer the professionalism that your company and indeed your clients, if involved, will surely demand. Perhaps you’ll choose to a charter a yacht purely for a day. It’s well worth visiting a good sailing school so that all of your crew are fully trained and can make the most of their time on the water. Depending on the individuals involved, you could try a women’s sailing course or a complete beginner’s event. You can be guaranteed that all involved will have the opportunity to learn more about teamwork and in fact about themselves too. If a yacht isn’t your preferred choice, perhaps you could try a power boat. Most companies will ensure that regardless of your choice of vessel, it will […]

Nanaimo

Have you been sailing yachts for a while? If it’s a passion that really excites you and you feel the need for speed, perhaps yacht racing is for you! But where do you start? Probably your best bet is to start by contacting local sailing schools to see what sailing courses they have available. They’ll be able to give you the technical and morale-boosting skills that you need. Training will often involve shorter races that are ideal for the novice yacht racer. Yacht racing is also highly sociable, so you’ll have the opportunity to meet new people too. It’s a great way to learn more about the sport and indeed developing your own personal and team skills. If you’re considering yacht racing, you need to make sure that you are physically fit. Racing is a demanding sport that requires flexibility, commitment, previous sailing ability and you need to have the ability to learn new skills. You’ll also need a good sense of humor and the ability to get on with a variety of new people – who are likely to become friends! So firstly you’ll need to join a yacht club that will give you all of the necessary information […]

Nanaimo

The Harbour City is known for many things; the beautiful waters, the astounding scenery, and awe-inspiring wildlife, but also… the mouth-watering food. In Nanaimo this yacht holiday, be sure to check out our top ten places to dine… Hilltop Bistro Head to Hilltop Bistro for Nanaimo’s best fine dining experience. The relaxed  yet, prestigious atmosphere really is quite inviting. The menu is comprised of food that is locally sourced, and recipes inspired about the natural surroundings. The chef often has a number of signature dishes on the menu, blending many exciting and surprising flavours together to delight the palate. The wine menu is impressive too. Fine Hilltop Bistro on Rutherford Road.   Marina’s Taverna Marina’s is the place to go for a good old pizza! They also have a fabulous array of Greek cuisine that is perfect for a light bite in the mid-afternoon. With numerous sharing platters, as well as tasty main courses, Marina’s is a lovely place to relax and graze. The beer here too is particularly good.Visit Marina’s on Terminal Avenue North.   Nori Japanese Restaurant No vacation is complete without sampling the local sushi. Nanaimo certainly has an abundance of fresh fish for the chef’s down […]

Nanaimo

Things are heating up in Nanaimo! This summer has so far been one of the hottest on records, with temperatures on Vancouver Island reaching all-time highs according to meteorologists. Now whilst it is great to enjoy the sunshine on board one of our many beautiful yachts, with such hot conditions it is also important to remember your key sun safety facts. In this article, we will talk you through staying safe in the sun. Throughout July, Environment Canada put in place a special weather warning for the mid island area, and this was due to there being a ridge of high pressure over the Island. Coastal temperatures, as usual, remained a little lower, but we saw temperatures of 30 degrees and over here at the coast, which soared to a staggering 40 plus degrees in land. These numbers are about 10 degrees hotter than the island average for this time of year, which tends to be around the 22/23 degree mark. Climate specialists are concerned by this hot anomaly, and resultantly are advising people to take precautions when out and about.

Nanaimo

With all this hot weather we have been having, we thought that here at Nanaimo Yacht Charters we would take a look at the best of the many beaches this beautiful island of ours has to offer. From Nanaimo beaches to Tofino beaches, let this article be your guide to beach days on Vancouver Island this summer.

Nanaimo

This Canada Day, celebrations were amped up around the country and in Nanaimo, to celebrate this great country’s 150th birthday. In this article we will run you through what happened this year, and also take a look back through the history to inform you on how we got to this point. This Year   Charitable Remit As well as all the merriment, there was a charitable undertone to the events. A number of not for profit groups celebrated gaining funds from the Nanaimo Foundation who delivered $70,000 in community grants. This number was around double what is usually donated to local causes, and the number of charities benefiting also increased. The Foundation doesn’t look for charities of a specific theme, instead they look at the sustainability of the project beyond the length of the grant, and an impact that can be measured beyond its length too. Between 1982 and 2015 the foundation has handed out almost 300 grants totalling a whopping $2.5 million dollars for charities in the region. This year, recipients included the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island Community Canoe Project, the Gabriola Arts Council and Historical Museum Society, the Ladysmith Resources Centre Affordable Housing Project, […]