Planning for Cooking on Board a Yacht

If you are an experienced sailor then you may already know these nuggets of information. Cooking on board can be great fun or if after 4 days afloat you are still eating canned soup and sandwiches then you may want to think about being more inventive. Whatever the holiday, normally food is an important aspect. If you are staying close to port then people often eat ashore, but if you want to enjoy the seclusion and majesty of parts of our recommended itineraries then you will need to plan and shop ahead.

On board cooking tips

• Do an inventoryHave a good look through the kitchen area and work out what equipment you have and more importantly if there is any essential equipment you are missing. If there are dishes you’d like to cook
  which require unusual ingredients such as particular spices it is worthwhile bringing them with you.

• Plan out the main mealsLunches can be easy – fresh bread, cheese, ham and some salad and hey presto lunch is done. Snacks are also easy – crisps, crackers, fruit and some local biscuits make for a good snack cupboard. Evening meals though need to be well planned – the less shopping journeys and waste the better.As part of the planning you need to take into account everyone’s needs on board, especially if you have a crew. Find out if there are any allergies to take account of or any particularly strong dislikes.

• Plan out the alcoholFor most people part of being on holiday is relaxing with some great wine and a few beers. Keep enough on board to be merry, but remember a completely liquid diet is not recommended. Boxes of wine and cans are easier to store than bottles.

• Put 1 person in charge of cookingOf course this doesn’t mean the rest of the crew can’t be willing helpers. Cooking can be a great family activity but you need 1 person to take control of the menu planning and shopping. Anyone doing the cooking shouldn’t have to clear up too!

• Safety and spaceThe galley area of the boat is bound to be restricted in size. Think carefully when you’re shopping how you are going to store everything and only take on board what you really need. It is especially important on board to clear any spills as you go and make sure everything is carefully stowed away.

• Think about rubbish/garbageAnything you normally put in a compost bin can be thrown into the sea. The less packaging you can bring on board the less there is to store for throwing away when you are next in port. We must keep the seas clean and a lot of rubbish can be very harmful to wildlife.

Meals to cook on boardHave a think about these:

• One pot wondersSuch as a stew, fajitas, soup, stir fry, Risotto.
• PastasBolognaise, carbonara, pesto, and various pasta bakes.
• Rice dishesChilli, curry, paella
• SaladsYou can make some great salads out of canned mixed beans and packets of quinoa
• FishWhatever you can catch alongside a salad or some vegetables

Make the cooking as well as the eating part of your holiday. Enjoy!

- See more at: http://www.nanaimoyachtcharters.com/blog/planning-for-cooking-on-board-a-yacht/

Sailing Courses in Vancouver – The Advantages of Ladies Only Courses

When taking on a new hobby, there is always the fear of walking into the class for the first time and being judged. This fear is usually amplified if there are mixed genders in the class, and so single gender classes can be a way to try new things with less of the social anxiety that can come with that. Sailing courses are no different.

Many women want to learn in a fun, relaxed environment and gender politics can often cloud that. Female instructors tend to have a better understanding of these fears and thoughts and can be better at teaching women in ways that women learn best.

Ladies only sailing courses are often easier as it takes away the problem of sharing a cabin with a stranger of the opposite sex. This can make many women (and men for that matter) uncomfortable and significantly detract from the overall learning experience. You are of course, there to learn so that you can enjoy your new found skills later with loved ones, or potential partners, as well as friends and family. Some men also have the tendency to ‘mansplain’ – that is, re-explain something in their language just to check women have understood. This kind of condescendence is not conducive to good learning in such settings. When learning with people of the same gender, it is easier to believe there is no such thing as a stupid question. It is also easier when on board if you don’t have to hide your lady bits and bobs (meaning toiletries and sanitary products, not just physical body parts!) for fear of an unknown male walking around the corner.

Women tend to have a calmer demeanour when learning all together outside of the company of men. It is not that men are not liked, or appreciated, (we can meet up with them after the lesson) it
is just this way of learning is more fruitful, and less distractive. Women tend to make friends with other women, and when learning a new hobby such as sailing, it can be nice to form such bonds in the process. Many women make friends for life on women only sailing courses, and this is more easily achievable and facilitated by the single gender learning environment.

Ladies learn in their own gentle way. It is a great feeling to work with other women alone, as the ladies truly are doing it for themselves. It can be a much nicer experience on board with only other women, and it’s the little things like cleanliness of the bathroom, proper cups of tea, great food, and an aura of calm that really makes it a unique experience.

The bottom line is, women only courses encourages more women to consider taking up sailing as a sport. In the sport world, men still very much lead the way and it is initiatives like women only sailing courses that help ladies break that glass ceiling.

We must try in every way possible to encourage more women to take up water sports, whether for pleasure or for sport (hopefully both), and the women who have taken part in such courses cite the single gender element as being a big contributory factor to their interest.

Women only sailing courses are a great team building, confidence boosting experience. They make it so much more enjoyable than a simple learning exercise and can encourage further personal development or diversification in the area of water sports. Although very much a team endeavour at the learning stage, the ultimate aim is to empower women to go forward, and feel confident in skippering their own boat someday should they so wish. It could even be possible that working with other women proves so inspirational, that one day a woman may wish to become an instructor too.

Women’s only sailing courses have numerous advantages; confidence boosting, fun; suits a woman’s learning styles; more relaxed; etc. But most of all, taking part in a ladies only sailing course is an extremely empowering experience, and one that you may want to repeat in other water activities or hobbies.

To find out more information about our sailing courses please contact us. 

- See more at: http://www.nanaimoyachtcharters.com/blog/sailing-courses-in-vancouver-the-advantages-of-ladies-only-courses/

YACHTING IN VANCOUVER WITH CHILDREN

You may question whether it is a good idea to bring children along on a yacht charter in Vancouver, and you would be right to give it some serious consideration for many reasons. There is safety to consider and the worry that being cooped up will cause boredom for the young ones resulting in stress for the adults. However, there are more reasons to take them along with you, as long as you plan and take necessary precautions. There are four key things to contemplate beforehand:

1. Safety on board

Discussing the safety rules of a charter before the trip is a must. The children must be briefed as to where the safety equipment is (such as life jackets and other floatation aids), and how to use it. This may seem daunting, but actually, kids love to play pirate, and adore boats. They will really enjoy the learning experience as they will see it as an important part of their role on board. Children love to be given ownership over things, and feel a part of it all. Rule enforcement will be necessary, but you can do it in such a way that is fun, engaging, and not at all dictatorial. The main safety rules are:

• Always wear a life jacket when outside of the cockpit (for young ones it is best that they have their own special life jacket to ensure that it fits correctly)
• Never leave the boat without informing an adult
• Do not go to the front of the boat without telling an adult
• The skipper is the boss, and his word must always be followed
• You do not run on the boat, or play rough
• It is advised to always swim with a buddy
• Parents to take it in turns to be on safety watch – consider making a schedule
• DO NOT mention sharks – it will cause unnecessary fright

If travelling with toddlers or babies there are a few other things you need to take into consideration. A car carry seat will be of use to place the baby when you are busy getting the yacht ready. Baby slings may also be of use as this means your hands will be kept free for other tasks whilst your baby is still snug and safe. For toddlers, netting to enclose open space at the sides of a vessel can be provided, but you still need eyes in the back of your head.

2. Cruising planning

Planning the type of cruise, and the type of journey is always important but more so when you have young ones to consider. You may want to look at making the sailing distances short, incorporating more stopovers, and choosing a boat that is more suitable for little ones. Catamarans are great for kids as they offer lots of inside play space, and also they do not rock back and forward too much which can make children sickly. Instead of doing four hour trips maybe do two hour trips with stop offs on the beach to allow the little ones to stretch their legs on shore for a while.

3.Provisioning

Good provisioning is vital for a successful trip. Prepare medicine, snacks and beach and water toys for the children to make sure they have plenty to keep them amused. There are usually options to rent kayaks, paddle boards, or other water equipment that allows them a certain amount of freedom. Snorkelling equipment always provides a big win, and can keep children amused for hours, but it is important to ensure they know how to use it correctly before plunging into the sea. Depending on your destination you will also need to ensure you are prepared for the elements. Sunscreen, loose clothing, hats and shades are all necessary in the heat of the sun. Layers and Vaseline for those chapped lips are required for colder conditioners. Bottled water must also be in ample supply.

4. Living on board

Let children know the important on board positioning of things such as the toilet, the engine room, the safety equipment store, and the emergency communications equipment. A good little rule to remind children is that nothing should go down the loo unless you have eaten it first. Children will love the art and the science of sailing, include them when studying charts, using the instruments, and let them help with small tasks such as using the winch button for the anchor. This will help them feel connected to their environment, and respect it all the more, as well as enjoy it. You may also want to consider picking up some literature on the inhabitants of the water that will be surrounding you. Children love to learn about the wildlife in their environment and it’s a great way to spend time.

Finding the right charter boat for your family

If you decide to take the plunge and charter with children, selecting the right boat will be a crucial step towards a happy trip. Space is an important factor, as is a crew and a captain who have experience working with children, and moreover, enjoy it. Providers are very keen to ensure that families are well catered for, and will be more than happy to help you pick the right vessel.

Have a look at our yacht charter fleet and please contact us to discuss ideas for your next vacation.

- See more at: http://www.nanaimoyachtcharters.com/blog/yachting-in-vancouver-with-children/

What experience do I need for sailing in Vancouver?

If you are planning a holiday sailing in Vancouver, then it is definitely useful to know what sailing experience you need as it can be challenging sailing depending on what time of year you visit. Sailing in Vancouver is really a beautiful place for sailing, as the year round varied climate offers brilliant outdoor pursuits all year round.

 

Sailing Area

The sailing in Vancouver ranges across a wide area, from the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, the San Juan Islands and the Sunshine coast, an area that stretches along the Strait of Georgia from Howe Sound to Desolation sound, with many communities to see and superb scenery to enjoy.

 

Sailing Conditions

Sailing in Vancouver the primary sailing season is from May through to September, however, a great mix of sailing conditions prevails throughout the year, so if you prefer to enjoy some more challenging conditions or varied sailing then you can sail throughout the year.

 

High Season conditions

From April to May, you can expect changeable weather. It is normal to expect strong winds in these spring months, but the weather is warming up and it is a beautiful time of year, with everything coming into bloom. It is also a fabulous time of year for wildlife viewing around Vancouver island, you may catch sight of Pacific Grey Whales as they migrate to Alaska, or some grizzly and black bears who are coming out of their hibernation to find food on the coastal shores. The Summer months between June to September, you can expect around 8-12 knots of thermally generated winds and relatively dry conditions. Summer is a great time of year for sailing in Vancouver if you are a confident sailor, but have slightly less confidence in varied sailing conditions, as July and August offer light winds and typically lovely weather, so perfect for enjoying the stunning national and provincial parks in the area.

 

Low Season conditions

October is a very popular time for sailing in Vancouver, before the colder winter weather arrives, but it can be more challenging than the Summer months, so you will need to be a very competent and confident sailor, able to sail in more challenging conditions. It is also a great time to view the spawning salmon and enjoy the beautiful sight of fall arriving to the islands. From November to early April, sailing conditions are challenging, chilly with strong winds, so you will need to be a highly proficient sailor for these conditions.

Mooring up

If you are sailing in Vancouver, then you will be be encountering different moorings and anchorages, so you will need to be very competent in mooring up as there are plenty of overnight moorings available for visiting yachtsmen, but it is mainly anchorages, so you will need to be proficient and confident in anchoring in many different bays and and coastal areas.

Tides

There are significant tidal ranges when you are sailing in Vancouver, so it is very useful to understand the tidal ranges in relation to navigation when sailing this cruising area. The tidal range is between minus 2ft to +18ft with the majority of the anchorages having plenty of water at all states of tide. Generally the seas throughout the cruising area are pretty sheltered and calm, so you won’t necessarily be encountering big waves.

So sailing in Vancouver is really a superb experience, and perfect for a competent and confident sailor.

Easy ways to get to Nanaimo

Nanaimo is a city on the east coast of south-central Vancouver Island, making it somewhat complex to get to, but it will be well worth the journey.
Nanaimo is known as the Harbour City of Vancouver isle, it is stretched down the east coast, and is British Columbia’s sixth largest city which may be surprising to some. It derives its identity from the wealth of recreation activities available – many of which are centred around the harbour situated at the centre of the city. It has a wealth of history thanks to the marina, which is also of great interest to the many visitors that make the journey over to the island every year.

Travellers can try their hand at a number of activities including hiking, boating, biking, kayaking, scuba diving and snorkelling which all form part of the fabric of this beautiful location. Nanaimo is a bustling city, with a population of almost 85,000, and a multitude of eateries, art museums, and shopping outlets. Many visitors use Nanaimo as a central point, as it provides the perfect location to use as a base if exploiting the rest of the island. It is also a great point to access world renowned ski resorts, the wild Pacific Oceans and all they have to offer, accessible within just a couple of hours drive. There is a visitors centre which is a great place to start your trip with numerous brochures, maps, and friendly advice on how best to utilise your time in the area.

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There are almost as many ways to get to Nanaimo as there are activities to do there. You can fly to Nanaimo’s inner harbour direct from Sechelt in the north, Vancouver to the north east, South Vancouver, Seattle, or Richmond. There are also indirect flights which go from Ganges, Saltspring Island, Maple Bay, Pender Island, Victoria, Whistler, or Comox. So as you can see there are numerous options, even when just looking at one mode of transport; the aeroplane. Sea Air Seaplanes and Harbour Air both operate float plane services from Vancouver to downtown Nanaimo. Harbour Air has the Otter and the Beaver aircrafts and these services tend to operate hourly between 7am and 6pm. A rough cost is about $70. The planes are only small, and so reservations ahead of schedule are heavily recommended as they are often utilised by businessmen. Flights are incredibly short, and so are a quick way to get to the desired destination, but are not the only option. In peak months (May to September) Kenmore Air also offers one daily scheduled plane service. If travelling from further afield on an air Canada flight, one can add an air Canada Jazz service from Vancouver at only a small additional cost.

The far more popular option with travellers is the ferry. There are numerous ferry routes into the Departure Bay and Duke Point ferry terminals. You can jump on a ferry from Tsawwassen which is just south of Vancouver, to Swartz Bay which is near to Victoria, or to Duke Point just south of Nanaimo. Ferries also travel from Horseshoe Bay which is north of Vancouver directly to Departure Bay in Nanaimo which is the closest to all the action downtown. Duke point is somewhat further away, and so unless you are staying near there, or have hired a car, or got on a bus, locals suggest it is best to use the Departure Bay terminus. It is important to pre-book where possible because ferries get very busy, and so it is best to err on the side of caution. It is of course cheaper to be a foot passenger than to drive, by foot you can expect to pay around $20, and by car around $50 each way. Departure Bay is served by Nanaimo Regional Transit, Greyhound, and Tofino Bus. All of which have offices within the ferry terminal.

You cannot take the train to Vancouver Island, but you can jump on the Amtrak who’s Cascades route links many cities to Surrey, Richmond, and Vancouver where you can hop on the aforementioned flights or ferries. There is also a train from Victoria to Nanaimo, but it only runs once a day and can be found under the journey name Victoria-Courtenay. Via Rail also has a daily passenger train between Courtenay and Victoria. Nanaimo railway station suffered from a fire back in 2007, but has since been rebuilt successfully. There is still no bridge connecting rail services to the mainland, but trains are a good way to travel from town to town across the island. There is also the Greyhound rail option to get to Victoria, and from there you can easily to Nanaimo by flight or bus. If travelling from the US, locals suggest the Greyhound is the best line to get because it will connect with Greyhound Canada at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, where you can get a bus to Nanaimo, or Victoria (on Pacific Coach Lines). Of course, the Amtrak Cascades stops there too, as does Via Rail, but the schedules are limited and the ticket prices are usually higher.

Similarly, there are no bus routes from the mainland to the Island other than those that go on the ferry. The bus station is in the same location as the train station and so it is quite easy to way up your options when travelling from Vancouver. It is very easy to get Victoria from Vancouver with bus routes that utilise the numerous ferry terminals and so hiring a car is not always a necessity, nor is walking. The bus also stops in Richmond, and so whatever your starting point, it is worth looking into the different options available to you dependent on your day and time of travel, as some options may be cheaper or more convenient than others. However, not all buses do board the ferry, and this could mean a long walk to or from the ferry terminus depending on your specific end location, and so ensure that you have checked the route thoroughly. Buses are not always frequent, and so best to check your timings ahead of your journey and have a back-up plan just in case.

Or you could take the Skytrain from Main Street to Granville station. You would catch the Horseshoe Bay bus, and it would let you get off right in front of the foot passenger ticket booth for the ferries at Horseshoe Bay, where you would then catch the ferry to Nanaimo. You would need a zone 2 fare for the entire trip. Lots of people travel to the ferry that way; most of the ones in line on Georgia will be going to Nanaimo or beyond.

You could also hire a car to drive across to the island using the ferry. Or hire a car in Victoria to travel up the island to your final destination. You must pick the combination of travel options that work best for you. That may be flight then bus, flight then car, train then ferry, car then ferry, or any other combination of those. You may even chose to hitch if you are an adventurer! Again this is good to look into in advance, you may also want to consider what kind of car or vehicle will be most suitable for your journey depending on the type of trip – a 4x4 for instance may prove more useful if you are going hiking or the like.

Once there, however you decide to get there, there are numerous places to explore. There is the old historic downtown which is divided into quarters (even though there are three of them). The Old City quarter has multiple restaurants, and heritage sites and buildings. The Arts district in the city’s centre is a great quirky place boasting art galleries and performance spaces. Last but not least, Nanaimo’s famous waterfront, which is peppered with public plazas, shops, luxury dining, parkland, and to top it all off a lagoon where you can take a dip should the mood catch you.

North Nanaimo is known as the shopping quarter, with malls littered along the highway. There are also excellent hiking and diving spots around this area. Westside is known more for being the area for outdoorsy types. It boasts Westwood Lake which is perfect for swimming, and is even staffed in the summer. There are sprawling park lands perfect for mountain biking and trailing including to Nanaimo’s highest peak in Mount Benson. South Nanaimo, towards Cedar is popular for those looking to see rural farms, orchards, and experience the communities that work them. Cranberries, blueberries and apples are farmed here as well as numerous vegetables. The Sunday farmers’ marker is a must. For the more adventurous, there is also the opportunity to run a tree top obstavle course, and bungee jump.

From Nanaimo you can also access Protection Island that is home to Canada’s one and only floating pub, and historic picturesque Newcastle Island. Gabriola Island is also close by, which is a popular spot for artists and photographers. All of which are accessible by one of Nanaimo’s two busy ferry ports.

So you see there are numerous ways to get to this stunning location. It does seem that most travellers do choose ferry over aeroplane. Running every two hours from numerous ports on the mainland, they are the easiest way to get to Nanaimo. They are also rarely longer than an hour and a half long. But whichever way you chose to get there, you are sure to not be short of things to do in Nanaimo – Victoria’s little cousin.

photo credit: www.cknw.com, www.vifreightbyrail.ca, www.nanaimo.ca, www.rockwoodhouse.ca