Monday, March 28, 2011

ONLY ONE SPOT LEFT!!


We need to fill our last spots in our upcoming Cruise & Learn course.

Boarding: April 22 at 4:00 p.m. at the Port Sidney Marina
Returning: April 27 at 4:00 pm. at the Port Sidney Marina

Competent Crew & Day Skipper (Level 1 & 2)
students also welcome.

Competent Crew and Day Skipper (Level 1 & 2)

Based in the scenic cruising grounds of the Gulf Islands, this comprehensive course covers boat handling and safe seamanship practices as well as the basics of navigation. You will spend each night at anchor under the stars or secured at a cozy marina. For those students looking for a more relaxed holiday, the Competent Crew standard will provide a sufficient level of knowledge to assist in the safe operation of a vessel.

WAS $1295 per person

NOW $1050 per person

Price includes: Live-aboard stay, instruction, course material, linen, foul weather gear and all meals.

Please note: This promotion is only applicable to this cruise and learn and cannot be applied to already made bookings. Thank you for your understanding.

Dont miss this great price!
Please contact us ASAP if you are interested.


250-656-7070
1-800-663-5311
info@islandcruising.com

For more information on these and other courses check out our website.

For more specials and promotions join our facebook page.

Victoria Inner Harbour Floating Boat Show


Along with new and brokerage (pre-owned) boats that will be on display, several new exhibitors have joined this very exciting event. Having moved to Victoria's Inner Habour we have increased our land based exhibitors by 100%.

Visit over 150 boats on display as well as many booth exhibits with marine related products ranging from: electronics, sounders, radios, insurance companies, financial institutions, clothing gear, diving gear, dinghy's and much, much more!

SHOW HOURS
April 28 to May 1, 2011 - Victoria's Inner Harbour
Thursday to Friday - 11am to 6pm
Saturday and Sunday - 10am to 5pm

ADMISSION
Boarding Pass - $10.00
Students/Seniors - $8.00
Three-day pass - $25.00

Visa and Mastercard accepted at the gate.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

VANCOUVER OUTDOOR ADVENTURE & TRAVEL SHOW


VANCOUVER OUTDOOR ADVENTURE & TRAVEL SHOW


MARCH 19 AND 20TH 2011 VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE


SATURDAY MARCH 19TH 10AM - 6PM
SUNDAY MARCH 20TH 10AM-5PM

COME AND VISIT US AT BOOTH 733

See it! Do it! Live it!

Explore BC's largest adventure & travel show offering pre-season deals on the newest outdoor gear and amazing travel destinations! See canoe & kayak experts in the Whitewater Demo Pool or ignite your passion for biking, hiking, running, water, board or mountain sports at over 200 exhibits!

Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen's Show


Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen's Show

March 17th - 20th 2011



Come visit us at the Edmonton Boat & Sportsman's show, held at the Edmonton Expo Centre!



You can find Island Cruising at booth 273 .



Admission is $13 for adults, $8 for Juniors, kids 6 and under free,$9 for seniors and $34 for family passes


We look forward to seeing you there!

Edmonton Boat Show



Thursday, March 17: 12:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Friday, March 18: 12:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 19: 10.00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 20: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.






YOU DESERVE A SPRING BREAK!

With all the the wild winter weather we have had this year, we are ready to celebrate and welcome spring with open arms!!

Let us give YOU a reason to come join in the SPRING BREAK!
FREE DAYS UNTILL THE END OF APRIL 2011
NOW THATS WORTH CELEBRATING!!


You have worked hard this winter. So Island Cruising wants to offer you a free day on your WELL DESERVED SPRING BREAK Yacht Charter!!



The West Coast Spring season brings longer days, warmer weather and AWESOME winds that are steady! Some of the best sailing conditions of the year!


BUT WAIT, if you book your spring yacht charter now, we will throw in a free day, for all charters of 5 days or more!

We'll even give you a complimentary preboard!

You can't afford not to take advantage of this amazing offer, so contact us today to book your charter.

This offer is for spring 2011 (until April 30 2011)charters only (booked now and completed before April 30 2011). This offer applies to new bookings and can not be combined with any other discounts or offers

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Team Building!


Has your team forgotten that, there is NO "I" in "TEAM"?
Maybe it is time to plan your "TEAM BUILDING" Corporate Event!!
An Early Summer Flotilla that can inspire your team in ways only SAILING together can!! They will build their sailing skills, trust, communication and their team spirit in some of the most stunning waters of the Gulf and San Juan Islands!
Call us today, we will put together the perfect TEAM BUILDING package for your crew!!!

Take back the Helm




Wanting to take the helm on your family’s next vacation?

Island Cruising offers awesome Cruise and Learn courses that will prepare you to take the helm with confidence. You can spend five adventure filled days cruising in some of the worlds most breath taking surroundings, as you learn to operate a power or sailing yacht.
Imagine the experience to live aboard, navigate and capture the power of the wind while exploring the extraordinary Gulf Islands


Level 1 + 2
Competent Crew & Day Skipper Certification

Based in the scenic cruising grounds of the Gulf Islands, this comprehensive course covers boat handling and safe seamanship practices as well as introducing the basics of coastal navigation. After departing our base at Port Sidney you'll spend five days on board a 34 - 38 ft sailboat, cruising and learning through some of the most spectacular waters in the world. You'll spend each night either at anchor under the stars or secured at a cozy marina. For those students looking for a holiday of a slightly more relaxed nature a Competent Crew standard has been developed to provide a sufficient level of knowledge to assist in the safe operation of a vessel.

Level 4
Coastal Skipper

This course, designed for the graduate of the Day Skipper program and marked Coastal Navigation program or people of equivalent experience, will expand your experience by navigating some of the stronger current passes. This course touches lightly on the basics as a review and continues on to more advanced levels of anchoring, sail trim, use of a cruising chute, heavy weather tactics, cruise planning, navigation and night passages. This level is commonly a prerequisite to bareboat chartering.
Prerequisites: Level 1, 2, 3, VHF & Adult First Aid (CPR)

Friday, March 4, 2011

SPRING COMMISSIONING CHECKLIST


Spring Commissioning Checklist

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To help boaters have a trouble-free summer boating season, BoatU.S., the nation’s largest recreational boating association, has a spring commissioning checklist. Whether you have a power or sailboat, inboard or outboard, following this checklist is an easy way to get ready for the season.

BEFORE YOU LAUNCH:

Inspect and lubricate seacocks. Hoses and hose clamps should be inspected and replaced as necessary.
Replace deteriorated zincs.
Inspect prop(s) for dings, pitting and distortion. Make sure cotter pins are secure. Grip the prop and try moving the shaft - if it’s loose, the cutlass bearing may need to be replaced.
Check to make sure the rudderstock hasn’t been bent.
Inspect the hull for blisters, distortions and stress cracks.
Make sure your engine intake sea strainer is free of corrosion and properly secured.
Check the engine shaft and rudder stuffing boxes for looseness. After the boat is launched, be sure to check these as well as through-hulls for leaks.
Use a hose to check for deck leaks at ports and hatches. Renew caulk or gaskets as necessary.
OUTDRIVES and OUTBOARD ENGINES:

Inspect rubber outdrive bellows for cracked, dried and/or deteriorated spots (look especially in the folds), and replace if suspect.
Check power steering and power trim oil levels. Replace worn-out zincs.
Inspect outer jacket of control cables. Cracks or swelling indicate corrosion and mean that the cable has to be replaced.
ENGINES AND FUEL SYSTEMS:

Inspect fuel lines, including fill and vent hoses, for softness, brittleness or cracking. Check all joints for leaks and make sure all lines are well supported with non-combustible clips or straps with smooth edges.
Inspect fuel tanks, fuel pumps and filters for leaks. Clamps should be snug and free of rust. Clean fuel filters.
Inspect cooling hoses and fittings for stiffness, rot, leaks and/or cracking. Make sure they fit snugly and are double-clamped.
Every few years, remove and inspect exhaust manifold for corrosion.
Clean and tighten electrical connections, especially both ends of battery cables. Wire-brush battery terminals and fill cells with distilled water.
Inspect bilge blower hose for leaks.
SAILBOAT RIGGING:

Inspect fittings for cracks and rust. Inspect wire halyards and running backstays for "fishhooks" and rust.
Remove tape on turnbuckles and lubricate threads, preferably with Teflon. Replace old tape with fresh tape.
Recaulk through-deck chainplates as necessary (generally, once a decade).
TRAILERS:

Inspect tire treads and sidewalls for cracks or lack of tread and replace as necessary. Check air pressure. Don’t forget the spare!
Inspect bearings and repack as necessary.
Test tail and back-up lights. Test winch to make sure it’s working properly.
Inspect trailer frame for rust. Sand and paint to prevent further deterioration.
MISCELLANEOUS:

Check expiration dates on flares and fire extinguishers.
Check stove and remote tanks for loose fittings and leaking hoses.
Inspect bilge pump and float switch to make sure it’s working properly.
Inspect dock and anchor lines for chafing.
Update or replace old charts, waterway guides.
Check shore power cable connections for burns, which indicates the cable needs to be replaced.
Make sure your boating license and/or registration is up to date. Don’t forget your trailer tags.
Review your boat insurance policy and update coverage if needed. Be sure you have fuel spill insurance coverage.
Make sure you have a properly sized and wearable life jackets in good condition for each passenger, including kids and pets.