At the 2019 Vancouver International Boat Show I had the pleasure of meeting up with Allyson and Richard Nelson. The transformation of this picturesque marina and resort has been absolutely spectacular.
The John Henry’s Marina & Resort that you know and love today has an interesting history. The current owner, Allyson Nelson, bought two adjacent Garden Bay, BC businesses in 2015 - Fisherman's Resort & Marina and John Henry's Marinas – combining them into one operation. These Pender Harbour institutions had served the needs of the local community, seafarers and landlubbers for decades.
For boaters, they were a popular moorage, refuelling and provisioning stop en route to Desolation Sound, Princess Louisa or Alaska, and for others, a base from which to explore the hiking and cycling trails, tourist attractions and artisans the local area has to offer.
It was initially the marina that brought these businesses to Allyson’s attention. She and her husband, Richard, were looking for a new home for their 53ft Jeanneau sailboat. They came to Garden Bay to see if the marina was right for them, fell in love with the area and what it had to offer… and bought both businesses! They have invested heavily in John Henry’s to make it even better for locals and visitors alike.
You Can Do All Your Provisioning at John Henry's
The Café at John Henry’s was added in 2016. Much has been upgraded, from the General Store, to the marina facilities, to the cottage accommodations. Guests and visitors have been delighted with the changes Allyson and Richard have made. And their Jeanneau is delighted with her new home!
If you’re planning to chart a course anywhere near Pender Harbour this year make sure that you plan a stop over at John Henry’s Marina and Resort.
On November 13 Sail Canada, the national governing body for the sport of sailing, announced Mark Lammens as the Helly Hansen Sailor of the Month.
To many, sailing is more than just a sport - it’s a lifestyle. A living embodiment of that motto is the man himself, Mark Lammens.
For the past 35 years Mark has been involved in many aspects of the sport; as an athlete, coach, volunteer and administrator. He has gone above and beyond with the time, commitment, and passion he has put into the sailing community over the past 3 decades.
Not a hard re-installation - just line up the holes and replace the screws.
I remember vividly my first experience using a chart plotter and navigation system. Deciding that we should try the cruising lifestyle, we purchased an older boat and set out from Hindson’s Marina in Penetanguishene at dawn to sail across Nottawasaga Bay to Thornbury, Ontario for the Canada Day long weekend. It was a beautiful start to the day when we left and motored out of Penetanguishene Bay and rounded the corner, heading toward Christian Island, right into pitch black clouds.
All set to pull out the Code 0 before dousing the jib.
It was a very cold and wet beginning to the summer and we never thought it would arrive in Southern Ontario. Doing a 100 miler race on Lake Ontario (billed as the COOLEST race on the lake) with my 8 layers of thermal clothing, woolen ski toque and ski mittens, along with a neck warmer kept me on the edge all night, just out of frostbite reach. I shouldn’t have complained, as we also had wind!
July and August arrived, and it has certainly warmed up, in fact, its too warm, AND we don’t have wind. We are now counting 5 Wednesday nights in a row without wind to race.
The North American power boat market has begun to see a new trend toward larger day boats for luxurious onboard entertaining and the new Cruisers Yachts 38 GLS is right on trend plus, it brings a different flavour and set of cruising attributes to this market.
The new Cruisers Yachts 38 GLS carries on the styling and accommodation quality of the company's Cantius line of cruising yachts while beginning an entirely new family of day boats.
Cruise into the city of Kingston, Ontario, and it will quickly become clear that this city and surrounding waterways have something special. Built around the northern shore of Lake Ontario, Kingston is the place to go if you love to explore new waterways, fantastic views, and exceptional boating opportunities.
Sitting at the intersection of three world-class Canadian bodies of water, Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rideau Canal (Cataraqui River from Kingston to Newboro), the water’s influence is deeply woven into Kingston’s culture and history.
Navigating the process of yacht care and maintenance just got a whole lot easier, following the launch of Awlgrip HDT (High Definition Technology), a new single-stage repairable topcoat from AkzoNobel.
Creating a new standard in topcoat appearance and durability, Awlgrip HDT is a high performance, mirror-like single-stage coating which allows owners to protect their boat with a stunning, long-lasting finish, all without sacrificing convenience.
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For boaters, they were a popular moorage, refuelling and provisioning stop en route to Desolation Sound, Princess Louisa or Alaska, and for others, a base from which to explore the hiking and cycling trails, tourist attractions and artisans the local area has to offer. 
On November 13 Sail Canada, the national governing body for the sport of sailing, announced Mark Lammens as the Helly Hansen Sailor of the Month.
By Katherine Stone
By Katherine Stone
By Andy Adams and John Armstrong
By Amy Hogue
Navigating the process of yacht care and maintenance just got a whole lot easier, following the launch of Awlgrip HDT (High Definition Technology), a new single-stage repairable topcoat from AkzoNobel.
