Cruises in 2023
Jan 4, 2023
We welcome suggestions for cruises, requests for cruising information, advice, and stories about where people have cruised. If you have an idea for a cruise which you would like to lead, we really want to hear from you! Let 2023 be a good year for Club cruising! Contact? cruising@saltspringsailing.ca
Blackout Dates for Reciprocal Moorage
Jan 30, 2023
Reciprocal visitors to our club should note that the following weekends in 2023 are not available for reciprocal moorage at Saltspring Island Sailing Club:
On April 27-30, we will be hosting the Canadian National IOM Championships.
On May 19-21, we will be hosting our annual Round Saltspring Race.
Thanks for your understanding. Questions: wharfinger@saltspringsailing.ca
Rigging Seminar Very Successful
Feb 10, 2023
The Nov. 9th rigging seminar presented by Rear Commodore Steve White was a very successful evening. To read about it, click here.
2020 Small Boat Adventures
Feb 19, 2023
During the lockdown of 2020, the small boaters in the Club made hay while the sun shone and had a wonderful season of outdoor, safe and socially-distanced social cruises. Martin Herbert reminisces and outlines the great times they had that year and how they are looking forward to more of the same this coming season. Click here to read the article.
If you have a small boat and want to join in with this group, Martin’s contact info is in the yearbook or you can get hold of him through communications@saltspringsailing.ca
Broughton Archipelago Cruise Details Available
Mar 15, 2023
Please be advised we’re planning a cruise to the Broughton Archipelago this June. Since this is a long distance cruise and we’d like to provide participants with a lot of flexibility, this cruise will be different than other cruises. The plan is to provide details concerning the route and daily destinations and allow participants to have complete discretion as to where and when they join in. For example, you may choose to only participate on certain legs of the trip and/or meet only at certain daily destinations. This should help to accommodate various travelling speeds and the time you are away from home.
We’ll establish a VHF channel for all cruise participants to communicate so we can assist each other as required. Also, we can plan pot luck suppers etc at the various destinations. The dates for the cruise are June 16 to July 3, 2023. Click here for the cruise itinerary.
Please contact me to confirm your participation or with any questions, etc. I hope you can participate!
Jon Taylor, contact through cruising@saltspringsailing.ca
Salvage and Surveys
Mar 31, 2023
Chris Small drew a crowd of 23 members to his presentation about the salvage of a barge-cum-hotel in the Haida Gwaii area during 2018. Chris has been a full-time marine surveyor since 1979 and Certified Marine Surveyor with the National Association of Marine Surveyors since 1984. He has worked extensively in the BC marine surveying industry including work with the marine insurance industry pertaining to investigation of insurance claims, risk assessment for various marine operations and conditions, and detailed inspection for insurance renewal. Chris Small Marine Surveyors Ltd. has participated in numerous marine salvage operations around the BC coast as well as several other countries.
After solving some technological issues, Chris outlined the details of the danger and toxicity of working in a salvage environment where flammable gases abound, and of the strict protocols for working on this type of project in a remote and ecologically sensitive marine tidal environment. This was an expensive and important salvage operation, which ultimately resulted in some government regulation changes regarding the storage of flammable substances. Following the salvage presentation, Chris outlined some of the considerations involved in marine surveying vessels for various purposes.
Thanks go to Chris for putting together this presentation and for sharing his expertise with the Club. As well, thanks go to organizers Cheri and Stewart Reid who, along with John Lugsdin, have been orchestrating these off-season seminars about boating safety and skills.
Update from Mandolyn from French Polynesia
Jun 28, 2023
Club members Doug and Sarah and their kids on the SV Mandolyn have sent another fascinating missive to us from their amazing sailing adventure, this time from French Polynesia. To read their latest report, click here.
Ol Fart Cruise July 14-17
Jul 3, 2023
Cruise Captain John Lugsdin has finalized the details for the 2nd Annual Ol Fart Cruise on July 14-17. For details click here.
Improvements to Stern-Tying at Jedediah
Jul 21, 2023
The BC Marine Parks Forever Society (which our club belongs to and supports) has issued a news release announcing improvements to stern-tying at Jedediah Island (Jedediah Marine Provincial Park). Click here for the news release.
Small Boats go on Impromptu Cruise
Aug 11, 2023
Martin Herbert and friends were recently involved in an impromptu small boat cruise (the best kind…). To read all about it, click here.
Need a Pumpout Station?
Sept 12, 2023
With our focus on “pumping, not dumping” in the Salish Sea, it is useful to know where there are pumpout stations in our cruising area. Here is one way to find one, an interactive map of pumpout stations on our coast: https://georgiastrait.org/work/cleanmarinebc-3/pumpouts/
Flying Fifteens Ramble Around Harbour
Sept 16, 2023
The Flying Fifteen Fleet is an active one! To read Martin Herbert’s article on a “ramble around the harbour” taken by four of the nimble sailboats, click here: flying-15-ramble-sept23a
Sidney Island Annual Closure Oct. 12
Oct 3, 2023
Boaters should know that Sidney Island, part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, is closing for its annual closure period between October 12, 2023 and February 29, 2024. For more information, click here.
Stern Ties Now Available in Ladysmith Harbour
Oct 28, 2023
Boaters will be pleased to note that stern-tying is now possible at Bute Island Regional Park in Ladysmith Harbour. For more information, click here.
Former Junior Team Stars on Epic Voyage
Oct 28, 2023
Greg Slakov has caught up with the McGuffin twins, Callum and Cianan, former SISC Junior team members, who are on an epic ’round the world sailing voyage. Click here to read Greg’s story and to find out how to follow Callum and Cianan on their adventures.
Marine Winterization Seminar
Nov 1, 2023
Thursday, November 9
7 to 8:30 pm in the Clubhouse
Join Chris Small, who will review and discuss the various elements involved in preparation to winterize most of the pleasure craft types common to our area. He will also discuss the expectations of marine underwriters and the vessel owners responsibilities in consideration of insurance claims which may arise from weather-related damage.
For more details and to register, click here.
Organizer Stewart Reid, courses@saltspringsailing.ca
Around the World in a 27 Footer
Nov 3, 2023
The Cruising Committee presents an evening with Jenny and Nick Coghlan:
When Nick and Jenny Coghlan were in the process of buying their first boat, they took her out for sea trials off Oak Bay. Seawater swamped the batteries, a spreader fell off and – on their way home, undeterred and having sealed the purchase – they fouled the prop in a Sidney marina. Eighteen months later, they set off for Cape Flattery and points unknown. There were many more mishaps and adventures as – in the wake of John Guzzwell – 27 ft Tarka the Otter became the second-smallest Canadian vessel to sail around the world! Join Nick and Jenny for an evening of stories and exotic locales; you might just be inspired to go, too.
November 30, in the Clubhouse, 7 pm start. To register, please contact courses@saltspringsailing.ca
San Juans Video on YouTube
Nov 20, 2023
Our YouTube channel has had another video added recently. Jim Raddysh and his wife Marie St Laurent sailed down to the San Juan Islands in the summer of 2023 and made a delightful video of the good life on the boat. You will enjoy seeing familiar places through someone else’s eyes! Click here for the video.
Mandolyn Checks in from New Zealand
Dec 10, 2023
Doug and Sarah and their kids have sent in a cruising update from New Zealand. To read it, click here.
