Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Boating and the Environment

Today's children are environmentally conscious from watching us parents and the teaching they receive in school. As boaters we can do our part as families to help preserve BC's beautiful cruising grounds.

The Georgia Strait Alliance is dedicated to protecting the marine environment. They provide information on how we can be green boaters. To see how our families can help click here

Monday, April 16, 2007

Sidney BC, Vancouver Island

Sidney has been home for 25+ years and has been a lovely place to raise a family and operate a business. The population is over 11,000. Vancouver Island is accessible by air or sea.

Located approximately 45 minutes drive north of Victoria, B.C.'s capital city, Sidney is a popular starting point for boating vacations. There are many marine related businesses and marinas in Sidney.


More information at www.sidney.ca

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Boating Information for Families

Boating as a family is a great way to have fun together.

There are coves and marine parks to explore in B.C.'s Gulf Islands only accessible by boat. Fishing, observing marine life, having a picnic on board, or staying overnight are a few activities for families to enjoy.

If you have a boat or are considering boating as a hobby, visit www.discoverboating.ca

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Pleasure Craft Operator Card

The Canadian Government regulations state as of 2002, any person operating any powered recreational vessel less than 4 metres (including personal watercraft) must provide proof of competency.

As of 2009 any person operating any powered recreational vessel must have proof of competency.

Children 8 - 12 years of age have a separate test.

There is an exemption for non-residents of Canada under certain circumstances.

Further details on the PCOC click here

Monday, April 9, 2007

Galley

The galley can be one place on a boat where cleanliness is of vital importance.

For information on cleaning, storing, and cooking I recommend reading the article called Kill the Uninvited Guests.

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Galley Tip - Ice

Reuseable Ice

Galleys with iceboxes can use ice blocks as one option of keeping contents cool. A method I find useful is to fill a plastic water container partially full of water and freeze it. There is little water in the icebox from melting and the container can be removed and refrozen for the next trip.

Add a Steamer

An addition to a double boiler to expand its use is a steamer. I personally use a stainless steel double boiler which has a steamer insert with handle.

On board a boat the above three piece arrangement works well if your galley has a two burner stove. For instance, for dinner potatoes can be boiled in the bottom, and your favorite vegetable steamed in the steamer. The top of the boiler can be used for warming rolls, sauces, or heating an already prepared side dish.

The steamer can double as a colander eliminating the need for a separate strainer on board.

Feeding the Crew-Breakfast

Making breakfast for a crew can be challenging using two burners, a fry pan and a double boiler.

A few of the items on the five day menu plan for Learn to Cruise vacations were:

Pancakes and bacon
- Use the fry pan to cook the bacon. Drain and place in top of double boiler to keep warm.

Note: A can on board is handy for drippings such as bacon grease.

- Cook pancakes in fry pan to serve with the warm bacon.

Muffins, cheese and fruit
- Use the double boiler to warm muffins

Pancakes and scrambled eggs
- Cook pancakes and keep warm in double boiler
- Scramble eggs in fry pan

The hot water in the bottom of the double boiler can be used for dish water, rinse water for dishes, or to heat the thermos before filling with hot water for the day.

More recipes and articles on Easy Family Boating Recipes

Outfitting the Galley

My first experience with outfitting a galley was in 1980 when Bruce and I started Gulf Islands Cruising School Ltd. We were offering five day live aboard Learn to Cruise vacations with a maximum of four students plus instructor on board.

The boats we used were C &C 26' and the galley consisted of a sink with cold water only pump, two burner alcohol stove and an icebox which fortunately was large.

The following equipment and utensils were placed on board to provide meals for the instructor and crew:

Pots and Pans
- non stick fry pan with spatter screen
- stainless steel double boiler
- tea kettle
- one small, one large stainless bowl

Dishes
- Six place settings/non breakable
- Unbreakable glasses

Cutlery
-place settings for six
-one small, one large stainless steel knife

Miscellaneous
-top quality can opener
-tongs
-flipper
-vegetable peeler
-oven mitts
-thermos

Space on board was very limited, therefore, only the bare necessities were provided.

Monday, April 2, 2007

Galley Tip

A good thermos is a valuable addition to your boat's galley. To enjoy a morning coffee break while boating, fill the thermos with coffee before leaving the dock or anchorage. If coffee is not for you, a thermos of hot water gives the crew an option of making coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or hot iced tea. A full thermos eliminates the need to light the stove while underway.