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.
I cross the finish line, heart pumping and barely able to breath from the grueling conditions. I can’t believe that I have just become the 2019 Pan American Champion in the Women’s Dinghy (Laser Radial). I’ve just won the medal race in a windy 25 knots in Paracas, Peru.
I go hug my coach (Ken Dool), hug my competitors and hold the Canadian Flag high as I make my way to shore. My teammates come running into the water to celebrate and I’m overwhelmed. It doesn’t feel real that I’ve won a Gold Medal. Shortly after I’m at the Medal Ceremony, standing on the podium and the Canadian national anthem starts to play.
When I first saw the display at the Toronto International Boat Show saying that you could lease a new yacht, it stopped me dead in my tracks. While I had never considered leasing boats, we are certainly seeing growth in boat rental organizations, so leasing didn’t seem out of line. In fact, I wondered why it had taken this long to see boat leasing come to the market.
However, I have a reasonable understanding of how leasing works compared to financing a purchase and I wondered how the numbers could work for something like a yacht. The sign was in front of a 60 foot Princess Express Cruiser – about $3,000,000
The Oceanis official US debut will be at the upcoming Newport International Boat Show in September and will be featured at the United States Sailboat show in Annapolis in October.
With an overall size under 30 feet and a light displacement of less than 8,805 lbs., the Oceanis is easily trailerable without a wide load permit. If you prefer to access your sailing grounds by canals and rivers, the lifting keel and rotating mast open a world of endless possibilities. Perfect for sailing on lakes or for coastal hopping, this new Oceanis is, nevertheless, a robust category B sailing yacht, fitted for offshore sailing. The smallest of the range offers the biggest choice of programs!
Once again, I had the pleasure of joining CY’s test guru Andy Adams on a boat review. This time, out on Georgian Bay, we put the Grady White Freedom 235 Dual Console to the test. There are so many great things to tell you about this classic beauty.
Andy If I were required to compare Grady White’s Freedom 235 Dual Console to an animal, I would tell you that she has the character of a Labrador Retriever. Here are a few reasons why...
As the final link between Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay, Port Severn’s Lock 45 is the gateway to the beautiful Trent-Severn Waterway. The first and smallest lock to be constructed on the Severn portion, Lock 45 is entrenched in Canadian History and is worth the trip in itself. However, it is the waterway and its idyllic surroundings that will keep you coming back.
The canal connects Lake Ontario and Lake Huron with an eastern terminus in Trenton and a western terminus in Port Severn. Its amazing natural waterways include the Trent River, Otonabee River, The Kawartha Lakes, Lake Simcoe, Lake Couchiching and Severn River.
In the April 2015 edition of CY magazine, I published an article on anchors and anchoring – Staying Put: I See Myself Anchoring Off …). Much of the article was about upgrading the anchor you currently have on your boat – you know – the one that was there when you bought the boat. What wasn’t covered was the probable need to upgrade the bow roller to accommodate your new anchor.
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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. 
I cross the finish line, heart pumping and barely able to breath from the grueling conditions. I can’t believe that I have just become the 2019 Pan American Champion in the Women’s Dinghy (Laser Radial). I’ve just won the medal race in a windy 25 knots in Paracas, Peru.
By Andy Adams
The Oceanis official US debut will be at the upcoming Newport International Boat Show in September and will be featured at the United States Sailboat show in Annapolis in October.
By Jill Snider
Blake Marchand
By Rob MacLeod
