Family Boating Blog

Boating With Your Family

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:27:00 +0000

Boating with your family whether a day outing or a longer cruise is a great way to spend time together in the outdoors.

The planning and preparation for time spent on the water can be a family project involving everyone. Information and ideas for a boating family on my lens Family Boating

Consider assigning age appropriate tasks to the children such as setting the table, researching activities available at ports you plan to visit, and organizing board or cards games to play on board.

For more tips, visit Family Boating

Boating and Fishing in BC

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:02:00 +0000

Boating and Fishing are two activities for families to enjoy together. Whether you are fishing from the shore, on a lake, or the ocean, fishing is a great family pastime.

If you are interested in buying a boat and/or fishing, you may enjoy the information on the lens Boating and Fishing

Boating Safety Equipment and Accessories

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:28:00 +0000

When you are looking for boating safety equipment and accessories, you may become overwhelmed at the amount of products available.

To begin with, you need to make sure that you have all the required boating safety equipment for your vessel. Check the requirements with your local Coast Guard.

A VHF radio, although not mandatory equipment, is an item you may want to have on board to request assistance in the event of an emergency. In Canada, to use a VHF radio an Operator Certificate is required.

Other accessories will depend on how you will be using your boat. For instance, for your water sports, look into a pair of water skis and a slalom ski as well as a strong tow rope.

If you will be entertaining on your boat, you may consider an on-board stereo essential. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a boat stereo, however, you may find the extra investment is well worth your enjoyment!

Recreational boating accessories can run the gamut from fishing gear to nice sunglasses.

If you will be traveling on large bodies of water, a boating accessory you may need is a navigation system. Today, many GPS systems can be found relatively inexpensively.

For boats with below-deck living quarters and a galley, you will want to have the the necessary accessories to prepare meals for the crew. Here is an article on Boating Galley Tips

Depending on the size of your boat, a television with a DVD player may be useful if you are boating with children.

Boating accessories can be found in many places. Many deals may be found online. One place to check is Great Canadian Rebates. Shop around and outfit your boat with safety equipment and accessories. Then enjoy!

Boating Galley Tips - Suggested Equipment

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:17:00 +0000

Boating with your family is a summer activity to enjoy. Whether your boat is a canoe, kayak, sail or power, meals usually need to be prepared.

I have written an article, Boating Galley Tips, on suggested equipment for preparing meals for the crew. Here is an excerpt

"Even in a small boat without a galley, feeding the crew..."read more

The article is posted on our website Unlimited Articles

Fishing and Boating

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:40:00 +0000

Fishing while boating is a way to combine two sports at once. You can enjoy fishing at local lakes, rivers, or on the ocean. Be sure to check the licensing requirements for your area before setting out. Fishing while boating can be fun, challenging, and a great way to spend time with your family.

After a day outing to a local island, I made a list of helpful items to carry with me. Many of these could apply when planning a fishing trip. I posted the information at A Day at Sidney Spit

Spending several hours on the water requires snacks or lunch. Suggestions and recipes on my Easy Family Boating Recipes blog.

Perhaps you do not have access to a boat and want to introduce your children to fishing. Fishing events are planned for several locations in BC for Father's Day weekend. More information available at BC's Family Fishing Weekend. Click on the 'Events' tab to check places and times. The fishing weekend or day has been a favorite for our family for several years.

Fishing can be an enjoyable sport whether you fish from the dock or from your boat.

Sidney Spit Provincial Park

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:27:00 +0000

A favorite family outing is Sidney Spit Provincial Park approximately 30 minutes by power boat from Sidney.

There are mooring buoys for your boat and once on shore activities can include hiking the trails, exploring the beach, swimming, or just relaxing.

The Spit is a destination for a day trip or for staying overnight. The children always enjoy the open spaces and exploring. We never tire of visiting the Spit.

No boat of your own? There is a Sidney Spit Ferry for passengers leaving from the foot of Beacon Avenue in Sidney. Taking the ferry is a way to have an on the water experience and travel to a nearby island to explore.

Boating Information, The Fundamentals - FREE REPORT

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:35:00 +0000

Gulf Islands Cruising School is offering their FREE REPORT, Boating Information, The Fundamentals.

The report is 22 pages in length. Topics include Getting Started, Navigation, Boat Handling, Family Boating, and Resources.

You may receive the report by subscribing at

Boating Information - Free Report

You may also reach the subscribe page by clicking on the report cover in the right margin.

Information and Resources for Power Boating

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 17:07:00 +0000

A new email series on Information and Resources for Power Boating is available from Gulf Islands Cruising School.

You will find the subscribe box using the above link. Information on boat handling, fuel saving, articles and more offered in the series.

Boating Articles

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Boating Articles have been added to Gulf Islands Cruising School's new site Unlimited Articles

There you will find articles on boating, as well as boating videos and more.

Other categories for articles will be added and you may subscribe to the RSS feed to receive updates.

With spring approaching, it may be time to start planning a boating vacation or taking courses. More information can be found on our Boating Forum.

Great Canadian Rebates

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:10:00 +0000

At Great Canadian Rebates, you are invited to save!

I want to share with you a Canadian online shopping website that pays you Cash Back Rebates on online purchases. The website is called GreatCanadianRebates. Continue to shop online or become an online shopper at many of your favourite merchants. The expanding list of merchants includes: Dell, Expedia, Chapters & Indigo, The Source by Circuit City, Travelocity, The Apple Store and The Shopping Channel.

Savings and rebates are only a few clicks away.

GreatCanadianRebates is extremely easy to use. To get started, register by following the link below, shop as you currently do and your rebates will be automatically credited to your Cash Back Rebate account.

GreatCanadianRebates also has many great coupons, free shipping specials, and sales directly from the stores.

As a bonus for registering GreatCanadianRebates will give you a Toonie! That's right, $2.00 will automatically be deposited into your account, just for registering. GreatCanadianRebates also has an incredible referral program that will make you money. You will earn a 10% Referral Bonus on all Cash Back Rebates earned by any new Member you refer.

Please register at:
Great Canadian Rebates

Canadian Boat Shows 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:20:00 +0000

Here is a list of several Canadian Boat Shows for 2009.

Toronto International Boat Show Toronto ON January 10 - 18

Vancouver Int'l Boat Show Vancouver Feb. 4 - 8

Calgary Boat & Sportsmen Show Calgary Feb.12 - 15

Halifax Int'l Boat Show Halifax Feb 19 - 22

London Boat, Fishing, Leisure London Feb 20 - 22

Victoria Boat, Fishing, Outdoor Victoria Feb 20 - 22

Mid Canada Boat Show Winnipeg Feb 26 - Mar 1

Montreal Boat & Sportsmen Montreal Feb 26 - March 1

Ottawa Boat & Sportsmen Show Ottawa Feb 26 - March 1

BC Boat & Sportsmen Show Abbotsford March 6 - 8

Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen Show Edmonton March 12 - 15

Quebec City Sportsmen Show Quebec City March 12 - 15

Toronto Sportsmens Show Toronto March 18 - 22

Moncton Boat Show Moncton March 27 - 29

Last Minute Gifts for Boaters

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:28:00 +0000

Suggestions for last minute gifts for boaters are:

e-books and e-lessons

Gift certificates - contact Gulf Islands Cruising School - navigation course, private instruction

Boating magazines. Suggestion - purchase a subscription, buy the current month's issue to present to the recipient. Visit Gift Ideas for Boaters

E-books on a variety of topics which can be downloaded after purchase are another gift suggestion.

Gift Ideas for Boaters

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:01:00 +0000

Gift Ideas for Boaters on your list may include electronics, books, magazines, floating key chain and a variety of other nautical items.

A gift basket may be presented to a Boating Family and include information on their cruising area, a deck of cards to use on board, books, magazines, board games, DVD of cruising area, and/or a gift certificate to a favorite eating place in their boating area.

Gifts for the Captain, First Mate, and Galley Cook could be added to a gift basket.

Visit Gift Ideas for Boaters for more suggestions.

Container suggestions for a gift basket and more on Gulf Islands Cruising School site at
Gift Basket Ideas for Boaters

Sidney BC Lighted Ships Sailpast

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:15:00 +0000

The Sidney Lighted Ships Sailpast takes place on November 29, 2008 (weather permitting). The Sailpast commences at approximately 6:00 p.m. starting from Port Sidney Marina, at the end of Beacon Avenue.

There is also a Santa parade starting at 5:00 p.m.

We have participated in the Sailpast and watched for several years. It is exciting to see the creativity boat owners put into decorating their boats for the Lighted Ships Sailpast.

For further information contact Peninsula Celebrations Society at 250 656-4365

Boating - Two Burner Thanksgiving Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:38:00 +0000

If boating is a tradition for Thanksgiving, it is possible to prepare a Thanksgiving Dinner on two burners.

For a tasty, easy to prepare dinner complete with shopping list, visit Thanksgiving Dinner on our boating website.

You may want to add a dessert of your choice to the shopping list.

Enjoy.

Pots and Pans for Boating

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:05:00 +0000

When looking for pots and pans for boating, you may want to browse the camping departments. Recently I was looking at the nestling pots, and realized how practical they could be on a boat with limited galley storage. There were stainless steel sets which I prefer for cooking. When outfitting the galley, the camping section may be a place to look.

More information on the galley and two burner cooking has been posted on my Squidoo Lens on Two Burner Cooking.

Boating Knots

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Here is a fun way to involve the young crew by teaching Boating Knots.

A few of the knots the site teaches are:

bowline
sheet bend
figure 8
bowline on a bight
cleat hitch
rolling hitch

You can give each person a piece of line and follow along on the animated instructions.

Visit Grog's Boating Knots to teach the children the use of knots and how to tie them.

Boating - Menu Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:53:00 +0000

Planning a menu for your boating trip, then making a shopping list from your menu will ensure all supplies needed are on board.

When stowing provisions, a menu will help in storing the last to be used items first for ease at time of meal preparation.

I like to plan a menu to cook once, eat twice as much as possible. For instance, boiled potatoes may be on your menu. Cube potatoes before cooking and make extra. Cool and refrigerate. The left over potatoes can be used to make potato salad, corned beef hash, browned with onions for the next dinner, or added to an omelet for breakfast.

A resource I use is a series of e-books on menu planning, plan ahead leftovers, quick dinners and more at Living on a Dime

Boating Education

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:40:00 +0000

Boating Education resources at www.squidoo.com/boating-education include:

Coastal Navigation
Docking Your Boat
Anchor Your Boat
Uses for a Dinghy
Types of Boats
Buy a Boat With Confidence
Take a Demo Like a Pro
First Mate 101

Visit Boating Education lens for more information.

Easy Meatballs and Rice

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:08:00 +0000

Easy Meatballs and Rice for a quick tasty meal on board your boat.

What you need:

1 lb. hamburger
1 or 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 cup rice

Directions:

Form meat into 1/2" balls, brown in fry pan until fully cooked. Remove excess fat from pan.* Add the cream of mushroom soup and cook until soup is bubbly.

Cook rice according to directions on package.

Spoon the meatballs and gravy over cooked rice.

Serve with a green salad or coleslaw.

*Tip - Keep an empty tin can on board to put fat from cooking. We call it the "grease can".

Turkey Pita

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 22:10:00 +0000

Pita pockets are a change from sliced bread. Try the following turkey pita.

You will need:

Sliced turkey breast
Shredded lettuce
Shredded cheddar cheese
Ranch dressing (or your favorite)
Diced tomato and cucumber (optional)
Pita rounds (cut in half)

To make:

Line bottom of pita with turkey. Toss dressing, cheese and lettuce in bowl until well coated. Use this mixture on top of turkey to fill pita.

Galley Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:59:00 +0000

Outfitting a galley, provisioning, and recipes are part of the Galley Tips delivered directly to your inbox.

Visit Galley Tips to sign up for the free information.

For recipe resources and easy to prepare food on board visit
Boating Recipes on this blog.

Boating - Two Burner Cooking

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:59:00 +0000

Boating often means using two burner cooking for preparing meals.

Although it may be a challenge, nutritious food can be prepared for you and your crew on two burners. Here are resources for getting started:

My Squidoo Lens
Squidoo Lens - Boating - Two Burner Cooking

A blog post on outfitting the galley
Outfitting the Galley

For cookbooks and recipes you may find useful for cooking on board, see the link list on the right hand side of this blog.

Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:49:00 +0000

Finding recipes for quick and easy meals is an interest of mine to save time and money whether at home or boating.

I have purchased e-books through Living on a Dime and have found many useful tips and recipes to use.

The e-book Menus That Make Cents is especially helpful for meal planning and preparing a shopping list.

Visit Living on a Dime for interesting e-books.

Easy Fruit Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Fran) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:42:00 +0000

Here is an easy fruit salad to make on the boat for a refreshing dessert.

Easy Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

1 C fruit cocktail, drained
1 C pineapple chunks, drained
1 C mandarin oranges, drained
1 C sour cream
1 C rainbow miniature marshmallows

Method:

Place all fruit into a large mixing bowl.
Gently fold in sour cream until all fruit is covered.
Sprinkle in the marshmallows and stir until just combined.

Serves 6

Add a little coconut or a few nuts to make a different taste.

Hint: At home, I use the juice from the drained fruit to make ice cubes to be used in fruit punch at a later date.