Suncoast Sailcruise Canada ~ Program

Program

The mild south-western BC climate means you can enjoy a Cruise & Learn in our comfortable vessel from mid March through mid October. Our program is well suited to beginners with no experience, or to sailors with some experience who want to extend their skills and cruising knowledge. Spring sailing is especially rewarded by the wildlife and flora at its peak in March, April, and early May, gradually becoming less active or dormant as summer approaches.

Planning for your Five Day Cruise and Learn:
For most people the Cruise & Learn experience starts when they board the large comfortable BC Ferry at Horseshoe Bay for the 40 minute crossing of spectacular Howe Sound to Langdale on the Sunshine Coast. From there it’s just a 5 minute drive into Gibsons Landing. On arrival John will welcome you on board the Mistress and give you a familiarization tour, and an introduction to navigation with charts and tide tables for crossing the Strait of Georgia and transiting a tidal pass into the Gulf Islands. Plan to arrive the afternoon before sailing which allows you to become familiar with our vessel’s amenities while spending your first night on board at Gibsons Marina. Also you have the opportunity to explore our colourful home port.

The day of departure starts at dockside with checking the weather forecast, instruction on safety and vessel terminology and equipment, and safe procedures for departure and docking. After practicing operation under power, you will raise the sails and head out into the Strait of Georgia. After confirming the wind direction and strength you will set the sails and steer a compass course. Periodically you will determine your position with visual or GPS fixes and make course and/or speed corrections as needed to transit the tidal pass at slack tide into the protected channels of the Gulf Islands, and arrive at a beautiful marina for the night.

The next day starts with docking practice, followed by learning how to set the sails for changes in wind direction. An afternoon of navigation and passage making follows to arrive at a sheltered anchorage for the night. While at anchor there will be use of the inflatable dinghy from the swim grid, meal preparation, and securing for the night. After spending the night at anchor you will learn how to moor to a mooring buoy and how to rescue a person overboard. This can be followed by heaving to and reefing, and use of the autopilot and VHF radio, while sailing to another anchorage or marina. By the end of the fourth day you will be ready to challenge the CYA examination, and on the fifth day you may be capable to safely sail the vessel back across the Strait, under the instructor's watchful eye, to Gibsons Landing.

Wildlife & Flora
Due to our mild winters, there are many species of seabirds and marine mammals that are winter residents here. Activity and feeding builds in spring in preparation for the migration to the Arctic and Interior breeding grounds in May. In March and April huge flocks of Loons, Grebes, Goldeneyes, Surf Scoters, Harlequin Ducks, or Bonaparte Gulls can be seen, as well as numerous California Sea Lions feeding in the waters teeming with spawning herring.

Eagles are nesting, with the young appearing in May and developing their spectacular flying ability in family groups on windy days. In all seasons you might see Turkey Vultures, Blue Herons, Cormorants, Guillemots, Murrelets, Mergansers, Buffleheads, Seals, Killer Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises, Otters, and Mink. In fall the Eagles move to the interior rivers to feed on spawning salmon and return to the coast in winter. By mid September the return migration of our winter residents is well underway, and in October there are spectacular flights of snow geese returning from the Arctic.

At our Gulf Island destinations, well watered by the winter rains, the flowering cactus, succulents, lilies, Indian paintbrush, wild sweet peas, and rock cress bursts forth in vivid colours with the strengthening sun in March, April, and May. Plants become dormant during the summer when rain shadow effect, caused by the mountains, brings arid conditions and water shortages

We strongly recommend a spring Cruise & Learn to experience nature at its best.

What Is Included

Our fees include parking, food, fuel, moorage at marinas or marine parks, and marine insurance, with instruction by an experienced professional. Our food is of excellent quality and includes organic produce. Be sure to let us know about any special dietary needs or preferences. We provided bedding , linens and towels. As the cockpit can be fully enclosed with weather-proof screens you need only bring normal clothing for outdoor activity, rubber soled footwear, personal effects, and easily stowed travel bags. You are encouraged to arrive in the afternoon before your cruise, to explore the waterfront, parks, galleries, markets and boutiques of Gibsons Landing and dine in one of the many colourful eateries, before spending the night on board at our home berth at Gibsons Marina.

BOOKING PROCEDURE AND CONDITIONS.

Contact us at advising your home address, number of persons, age range, dates of interest and we will respond with the current availability, and fees. To book we need to receive a 30% deposit by cheque or money order, followed by payment of the balance 30 days prior to the cruise departure date. On receipt of your booking deposit we will send you the Cruise & Learn Manual for advance study. As our operations are limited, we encourage you to book well in advance to get the dates you prefer, and there is a discount for booking 3 months or more in advance.

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PO Box 692, Gibsons, BC V0N 1V0, Canada Ph: 1-604-886-0540
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