How To Take Compass Bearings

One of the methods to fix the position of your vessel is
by taking compass bearings. By having three bearings
cross in or near the same location you have accuratelydetermined your position.

Taking Bearings

When taking compass bearings, use fixed aids for best results.
Floating aids can move around with wind or current and the charted
position is the position of the mooring, not the buoy.

Take the bearings off to each side, one after the other.
The bearings on your beam will change quickly while the bearings
ahead or astern will hardly change at all due to the boat's motion.
If you take the bearings on each side first and then take the bearing
either ahead or astern, you will have a more accurate fix.

Also check that the bearings you take are not about 180 degrees apart.
Ideally the three bearings will be spaced about 120 degrees apart for
the most accurate fix.

If you are using the end of an island, remember to allow for the height
of the tide. With a gently sloping shoreline, at low water the end of
the island can be some distance from the charted shoreline.

Fixing your position is an important navigation skill. Compass bearings are one
way to obtain an accurate fix.

Navigation is offered through our Home Study Coastal Navigation Courses.
Successful completion of the course leads to Sail Canada Certifications.

Pleasure Craft Operator Card

Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) has been phased in over 10 years.

As of September 15, 2009 any person operating any powered recreational vessel must have proof of competency.

Exemptions:

Proof of previous training (until 03/31/1999) such as CanBoat or Sail Canada courses.

Grace period of 45 days for non-residents of Canada operating foreign boats without a recognized Competency Card.

In addition to carrying Proof of Competency aboard, you are also required to carry personal picture identification.

For further information or to schedule an exam, visit Gulf Islands Cruising School

Fishing and Boating

Fishing and Boating are sports that be enjoyed together.

Consider the type of boat that will meet your needs if you are going to be fishing from your vessel.
Fishermen also need gear and equipment. A rod and reel may be all you need to start.

What type of Boat should I buy?

The type of boat to buy is the one best suited to the activities where you will be using the boat.

There are many types of boats available such as sail boats, fishing boats, runabouts, houseboats, pontoon boats and larger cruisers, to name a few.

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.