July 7, 2026 By John Gullick I often get asked if the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) is accepted in the U.S. and I think my answer might be of interest. The answer is not a simple one. The CanBoat’s PCOC course has recently been reviewed to ensure that our PCOC course continues to meet NASBLA’s (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) required learning…
June 30, 2026 By John Gullick I’ll start by asking the following question: Would you start driving a car before taking a course and/or driving lessons? The answer is probably no, and for good reason. When it comes to operating a boat, especially a power boat, personal watercraft, or sailboat, I often ask the same question but the answer I get is usually very different. Most people believe…
June 23, 2026 Question – Is it mandatory that people wear their Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) or lifejackets while on board their vessels and underway? This is a question that I am asked regularly and to date the answer has been NO, excepting those who use inflatable lifejackets. Inflatables must be worn when on board and underway. However,…
June 16, 2026 Every year, thousands of boaters go out on the water without the proper safety equipment that is required by law. This equipment can be of great benefit and comfort and can mean the difference between a great day out on the water and a potential disaster. Required items vary depending on boat length but here is a list…
June 16, 2026 Beacon Bay Marina is proud to announce the success of its recent community fundraiser in support of the Georgian Bay Food Network, raising an impressive $10,071.50 to help combat food insecurity across the region. The fundraiser took place on May 16 and 17, featuring the sale of donated planter boxes in a…
Risk Visualizer™ and AI Avoidance Route™ deliver a new level of situational awareness through the NavNet TZtouchXL & TZtouchE platforms May 12, 2026 Written in partnership with Furuno For boaters navigating Canadian waters — from the fog-prone passages of the Inside Passage to the busy recreational corridors of the Great Lakes — radar has long…
May 12, 2026 As Canadians prepare to head back onto the water for the first long weekend of the season, the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) is launching its annual Safe Boating Awareness Week—a nationwide campaign promoting safe and responsible boating. Canada’s passion for boating remains strong, with more than 12 million Canadians enjoying time on the water each year. While this widespread…
May 5, 2026 Sail Canada welcomes the Government of Canada’s historic investment in sport announced in the 2026 Spring Economic Update. The federal government’s $755 million investment will expand access to sport and strengthen support for Canadian athletes from grassroots to high performance. Sail Canada thanks Prime Minister Mark Carney and Secretary of State for Sport Adam…
April 28, 2026 Renowned yachting photographer Sharon Green will be inducted into the Canadian Sailing Hall of Fame in October, recognizing decades of contribution to the sport through her iconic imagery and storytelling. One of the world’s preeminent photographers of competitive sailing, Sharon has captured and documented the dizzying developments in the sport during a pivotal…
April 14, 2026 Author: Jeff Doran, President CCEOC Inc. A Decade of Excellence! A Milestone in Canadian Marine Leadership! This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Boating Industry Canada Employer of Choice (BICEOC) Award Program—a program that has become a national benchmark for recognizing dealership excellence in people management, culture, and leadership. Over the past decade, BICEOC has helped organizations across Canada measure,…
April 7, 2026 The Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) is the licence for the vessel itself as usually noted by the series of letters and numbers found on each side of the bow of a powered vessel of 7.5 kw (9.9 hp) or greater. It is not to be confused with the Pleasure Craft Operator Certificate (PCOC) or other forms of operator competency. Here…
March 31, 2026 Reprinted with Permission from Marine Industry News UK w: marineindustrynews.co.uk March 17 2026 By Anna Cummins A study examining social media activity across the boating sector has shown relatively low levels of audience interaction compared with other luxury industries. The analysis, Social Media Insights – Boating Industry 2026, was prepared by Austrian market research…
March 17, 2026 Written in partnership with Furuno For many boaters, the challenge in selecting marine electronics is not the lack of available technology, but choosing a system that delivers meaningful capability without unnecessary complexity. Furuno’s TZtouchE series—comprised of the TZT9E and TZT13E multifunction displays—was developed to address that balance, offering a modern navigation platform…
Saxdor’s flagship 460 GTC featuring award-winning design, Scandinavian styling and functional luxury March 10, 2026 Malibu Boats, Inc. Accelerates Its Global Expansion with the Acquisition of Category Disruptor Saxdor Yachts, One of the World’s Fastest-Growing Boat Brands Malibu Boats, Inc. (Nasdaq: MBUU) (“Malibu”, “MBI” or the “Company”), a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of a diverse range of recreational…
March 10, 2026 The Municipality of Bluewater invites proposals from qualified and experienced individuals interested in managing and operating the Bluewater Marina, located at the mouth of the Bayfield River on Lake Huron. This scenic, Blue Flag-certified marina includes seasonal and transient docks, fuel and pump-out services, and key marine infrastructure. The successful proponent would enter into an operating agreement starting January 1,…
March 3, 2026 With thanks to Ron Kroeker for the photos.The 2025 Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBAs) were held on Sunday, January 18 at the National Yacht Club in Toronto. At this gala event the Canadian Safe Boating Council, its members and stakeholders in recreational boating safety assembled to honour the people, programs, organizations and marinas that…
February 10, 2026 North American launch of ENVGO’s electric hydrofoil boat and the smashing success of world’s first indoor floating pickleball court made for strong attendance Summer on the water couldn’t come sooner for attendees who braved challenging winter conditions to get a head start on boating plans at the 2026 Toronto International Boat Show (TIBS). Ontarians are still digging…
February 3, 2026 In an open communication to show exhibitors, Linda Waddell, President / Show Director of the Toronto International Boat Show sent out this important information. Dear TIBS Exhibitors,I am excited to share with you that the Toronto International Boat Show (TIBS) has joined the boat show portfolio of UK-listed Informa, owner of exceptional boating events,…
January 27, 2026 NMMA Canada has announced the induction of industry veteran Jean-François Rioux into the NMMA Canada Hall of Fame. Rioux, senior vice president of sales, marketing and customer experience at Yamaha Canada, was recognized in front of nearly 200 colleagues, friends and family, during the NMMA Canada State of the Industry Breakfast at the Toronto International Boat Show, January…
January 20, 2026 As a marina operator, you have a lot on your mind over the winter months including managing the impacts of snow load and making sure your clients’ boats stay safe. These challenges can put stress on your structures and peace of mind, but with the right approach, you can stay ahead of…