Boating

Boating is a popular activity all around the world and it's been flourishing in popularity throughout the years. In a world where stress teems in daily life, there is no finer way to break away for a little bit than by going boating. Boating has many rewards that can enhance your life.

Recreational boating improves your quality of life. From the minute you begin to move ahead on a boat, you will discover how comfortable it becomes to leave your cares behind. Boating is a creative release for entertainment that dilutes stress and allows for enriching opportunities for self-discovery.

Boating is in reality quite an affordable recreational activity. A boat can be a beneficial investment and you will be able to acquire a boat for less than you think. Compare the cost of boating to other recreational activities such as golfing or skiing and you may be surprised at how affordable boating can be. An option available in many areas is yachtshare where a number of owners share the use and costs of a vessel. Used boats are also easy to find for merely a small amount of money. Once you have a boat, you are able to get away any time you want and enjoy boating for what it is – a fun way to spend a day together.

There is no finer way to bond with family and friends than through boating. A study completed the National Marine Association shows that almost 50 percent of all people surveyed say that their number one most favorite activity to take part in with family and friends is boating. Boating permits you to get away from the house, away from the TV, and enjoy quality time together.

You can in reality get a lot of physical exercise while boating as well. Water skiing is a great physical activity that can improve your agility and your balance. You won’t believe the muscles you work when you are water skiing, so it’s a great way to get some exercise while boating. Just keeping your balance onboard a vessel will exercise your leg muscles.

Recreational boating is easy to learn. Even if you have no experience piloting a boat, you can learn quickly by taking a boating course offered by many professional boating schools. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to sail or are just looking for a great way to relax and spend time with loved ones, when you take a boating course, you’ll be out on the water in no time. Learning as a family can be a great experience.

Boating offers a number of opportunities for personal development. Whether you’re instilling your child with confidence as they learn how to properly fasten a line or you’re relishing the taste of fresh fish that you caught yourself, boating provides numerous different rewards for all ages.

You will find many, many rewards as you take up boating. It is a great sport that anybody can participate in and affords you a great way to escape stress – even if it’s just for a little while. Enjoy boating for peace of mind, an escape from life, and to have a great way to connect with your family and friends.

How to Heave-to in a Sailboat

The technique of heaving-to is to tack without releasing the jib sheet. The jib will then fill backwards and push the bow downwind. The main is eased off so it is luffing completely. By putting the rudder hard over to windward, the rudder and backed jib will balance the boat. It becomes very stable and begins to slide sideways.

I was teaching a client on a Shannon 38' sailboat recently. We hove-to for lunch. We were able to enjoy lunch without having to steer the boat, however, we still kept a lookout for other vessels and objects in the water such as crab traps and logs.

This technique can be used anytime you need to take a break, making a repair, taking a fix, attending to an injury, or reefing the mainsail.

For more Tips and Hints, visit Sailing Instruction

Free Report - Boating Information - The Fundamentals

Gulf Islands Cruising School is offering their FREE REPORT, Boating Information, The Fundamentals.

The report is 22 pages in length. Topics include Getting Started, Navigation, Boat Handling, Family Boating, and Resources.

You may receive the report by subscribing at

Boating Information - Free Report

You may also reach the subscribe page by clicking on the report cover in the right margin.

Navigating Locks When Boating

This past week I was teaching a Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) course in Castlegar. This is a Transport Canada Accredited course for commercial operators.

I was instructing on a 22' jet boat on the Columbia River outside of town. The Hugh Keenleyside dam is just up the river. We decided to take the opportunity to go through the lock to allow everyone the experience of locking through.

Here are pictures showing a log boom exiting the lock,

the downstream door closing,

the upstream door closed.







The lock chamber is 50' wide, 200' long and 150' deep.

There are floating bollards (mooring points) contained in the vertical grooves in the lock walls. You take a mooring line around the bollard to secure your boat while the lock is filling or emptying. You should not tie the boat to the bollard in case the bollard gets stuck.

Boating Education

Boating Education resources at http://www.cruising.bc.ca/ include:

Coastal Navigation
Sail and Powerboat courses
Maritime Radio Course

E-lessons and Books:
 
Docking Your Boat
Anchor Your Boat
Uses for a Dinghy
Types of Boats
Buy a Boat With Confidence
Take a Demo Like a Pro
First Mate 101

Visit Gulf Islands Cruising School Ltd. for more information.

Father's Day Fishing

I trust all the fathers had a great day.

Steven and I spent most of the day at the Victoria Fish and Game Protective Association property.

We had opportunities to shoot rifles, pistols, shotguns and Steven had a chance to fish in the pond. He didn't catch a fish, however we saw four other fish caught while we were there.

More Fishing Information

What are you doing for Father's Day

June 13 - 15, 2008 is BC's Family Fishing Weekend. Our son and I have participated the last two years and we plan to be involved again this year.

On Father's Day we will be going to the Victoria Fish and Game Protective Association.

We will have the opportunity to try fishing, shooting and archery.

More Fishing Information