August 18, 2026 By John Gullick Questions about the need to carry distress flares, what types to use and when to use them are among the most asked when I am conducting a Pleasure Craft Courtesy Check. Let’s start with when you need to carry flares. Pleasure craft greater than 6 meters (19.8 ft) in length and up to 12 meters (…
August 11, 2026 By John Gullick Unless a boat is secured, it will drift away. If it cannot be attached to something secure, such as a dock, piling, mooring buoy, tree, or boulder, it must be anchored. There is much more to anchoring than simply tossing the anchor over the side. An anchoring system has two parts: the…
August 11, 2026 – Sponsored Content – Thousands of vessels disappear each year from marinas, driveways, and storage lots. In fact, 73 percent of boats are stolen directly from trailers, driveways, and storage areas, not just from marinas. And if a boat is recovered, owners may find the motor, electronics, and other high-value components already…
August 4, 2026 By John Gullick Boating together with the kids as a family can be a most enjoyable activity. Because people, especially kids, have unique personalities it is important to take the suggestions that I am going to make and adapt them to meet your needs. Every trip, whether it is a day trip or even an overnight trip,…
August 4, 2026 – Sponsored Content – EOLO & AS Marine: Italy’s Rising Stars in Modern Recreational Boating Bringing Italian Excellence to the Canadian Market As EOLO and AS Marine continue their international expansion, Canada has become an increasingly important market for recreational boating. With thousands of lakes, extensive coastlines, and a growing community of…
July 28, 2026 By John Gullick Unfortunately, we too often hear about boating accidents that occur at night. Many of these incidents take place after groups of boaters have gathered together to enjoy something like an evening lakeside concert, or a fireworks display. Often, these events start during evening daylight hours and finish up well after dark. Boaters and their friends and families…
July 21, 2026 By John Gullick Boating is a fundamentally safe activity but follow these simple do’s and don’ts to ensure a safe and enjoyable boating experience in Canada. Do’s1. Check the Weather Forecast RegularlyStay Informed: The weather can be unpredictable, with sudden changes in temperature, wind, and precipitation. Monitor Conditions: Use reliable weather apps and marine forecasts before and during your…
July 14, 2026 I often get asked questions about how best to use a boat ramp while giving due consideration to other users. Often boaters arrive at the ramp and there are others waiting in line to use the same ramp. For those of us who attend the annual Gravenhurst Boat show and are waiting in line to…
-SPONSORED CONTENT- July 14, 2026 Introducing a New Era of European Boating Excellence Marine SCA is proud to announce the expansion of its exclusive European boat portfolio with the addition of several prestigious brands, offering Canadian boaters an exceptional selection of innovative, stylish, and high-quality vessels. Joining our established brands Capoforte, Invictus Yacht, AS Marine,…
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…