Winterizing is one of the most import ant services your boat and engine requires in these northern climates; the consequences of being unprepared can be costly in both time and money should your boat be affected by a freeze.

Points to consider in maintaining your investment. No one likes to spend money when they don’t have to, especially in today’s tough economic times. So when it comes to maintaining your boat and engine the question I get asked most frequently is: “Why do I need to service my engine so often when I don’t have to service my car to the same extent?

Listed below are the 5 most common problems we find on pleasure craft with suggestions on how to prevent them.

Oil Terminology for Synthetic Oil, Semi-Synthetic or Synthetic Blend, Oil Filter, JASO MA, SAE, Oil Ratings, API, Ester, NMMA

Our observation is that many boaters don’t know the value or benefits of having a trim tab system on their boat and don’t know how to work them properly, so we thought we'd write about the basics of trim tabs.

Repowering boats that have stern drives - with outboard engines - is becoming a popular option these days, especially with the advances in outboard engine technology.

We are constantly reading & researching the latest information on all things marine as it relates to our business. We recently came across this article in Boating Magazine , written by Mick Hannock. It is informative, worth sharing & worth your time reading.

Making the right choice. With the cost of new boats today and the rising cost of boating, the question often comes up whether to repower an existing boat or to purchase a new boat. Marine engine technology has advanced significantly in the past 10 years and there are many points to consider when making this decision; we address some of them here.

For your convenience, we have put together a list of fuel docks in the Vancouver Area & the Sunshine Coast, BC. These are listed alphabetically by region and then by the dock name. You may want to call ahead to confirm times of operation.

There is no end of have-to-do’s, want-to-do’s, need-to-do’s on a boat; it seems every year we say “we’ve got to get this or that done by next spring”, then we put the boat away for the winter - without a plan - and forget about it and when the next spring rolls around we can’t remember exactly what the to-do’s were.

Maybe we’re a tad biased, but we cannot imagine life without boats and the ocean. Boating is one of the best ways to bond with family and to have fun and relax. The memories made will be told and retold at family events for years afterwards and children will never forget their “firsts” on a boat.

Most boaters have had the unfortunate experience of a broken down head. Ours involved a boat full of grandparents, kids.. and well, you get the picture.

Imagine you are at the dock with your family, ready to leave for that long awaited weekend away, and something is wrong with the boat! Now what?! With a little preplanning you can avoid most common problems boaters run into. Below are some simple guidelines that can help make your trip go smoother.

In a recent conversation with some boating friends, we were discussing how we would handle an onboard emergency. Specifically, was the skippers’ partner skilled enough to deal with whatever was going on? Usually, this means “the wife”, but honestly, it means the person who ‘should be’ the first mate in that boating moment. Our friends were actually shocked to hear that, in our case, “the wife”, could actually deal with an emergency, as in their case it was a different matter.

PFD’s are a comfortable way of protecting yourself and your loved ones’ lives, but when used improperly they will be of no help at all when needed the most. Below are some simple things you can do to assure your PFD’s are always in working order.

It’s always a good idea to go over the safety equipment on your boat and make sure you have the Canadian Coast Guard requirements. Do you know, there are ways you can save money and still be within regulation? Below are some tips to helping you sort out what you need but remember when in doubt either go to your local chandlery and ask or look at your copy of the Safe Boating Guide, which is available free to all boaters. For more information you can also check Smart Boater.

Confined areas like boat cabins are prone to mold and mildew if left without adequate air circulation. The best way to fight mold and mildew onboard is to keep it from ever starting in the first place.