Aug 13, 2020
There really is no place like home. Bert terHart certainly knows that, having returned July 18 to Victoria, BC to a rousing welcome following his historic solo voyage around the world – the first North American to sail the route using only celestial navigation. During a time when self-isolation became the new buzz word for millions around the globe, the Gabriola Island Power and Sail Squadron member was so very alone aboard Seaburban for several months but then again was never really on his own as his Epic Journey blog entries, several of which were reprinted in past editions of The Porthole, were read by thousands who followed his trek wave by wave.
The Gabriola man sailed into Victoria’s Inner Harbour Saturday to cheers from his family and friends after completing a solo, non-stop circumnavigation around the world via the five great capes using only celestial navigation. Bert completed this challenge with just a sextant, a sailor’s almanac, log tables and pen and paper. Ter Hart is the first North American, and one of only five people, to have accomplished the feat.
Bert completed this venture using only celestial navigation. He used a sextant to measure the angle between the horizon and a particular star, the moon or the sun at a precise time. He took measurements from multiple celestial bodies and then would compute complicated calculations and cross-reference with log tables to determine his exact location.
During this sailing Odyssey Bert had to deal with 50 to 60 knot winds, hurricanes and all the while just getting 2 hours of sleep of time. Bert was always amazed at how the body adapts to the challenges.
Welcome home Bert I’m sure you’ve been inspirational to many people.
-BN
By Andy Adams
100% Electric performance available now
When we arranged to interview the designer and manufacturer to write a profile of the X Shore Eelex 8000 for the June 2021 issue of Canadian Yachting magazine, it was on the understanding that we always prefer to actually drive and experience the boats we write about, and we were especially keen to drive the X Shore when BCI Marine here in Canada, got their first boat from Sweden.
There has been a lot of media attention around everything electric lately, especially electric vehicles, but so far, most electric boats are a concept, not yet a reality. The X Shore Eelex 8000 is a reality and a very impressive one at that.
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Beneteau Oceanis 34.1
By Zuzana Prochazka
Boats have been in high demand for the past two years and there’s no sign of this easing. Sailboats, that can move with the power of the wind, have made an especially significant comeback probably because of the high prices of fuel.
Even more interesting is the increased interest in smaller models that have been doing well at recent boat shows. These compact cruisers have definitely held their own even among the 50-foot behemoths at the docks. A good example of this is Beneteau’s new Oceanis 34.1, the second smallest in the line.
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Text and Photos by Marianne Scott
Cowichan Bay is a waterfront village with a row of shops, artisan products, marine supplies and a variety of places to eat. It also has a delightful Maritime Centre. You can easily spend a day or more here at one of three marinas hosting transient moorage. The place feels like an old-fashioned fishing village.
We arrived at this quaint hamlet on a calm day when the sun burned off twists of mist and created undulating oval diamonds on the wavelets. From the water, the village looks enticing with its dense jumble of colourful character buildings, float homes and houses-on-stilts lining the coast.
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Story and photos by Timothy J.S. Martin
It seems like everyone has their “guy”, usually a marine surveyor they either know personally or have been referred to by another boater (or someone in the marine or insurance industries). Marine surveyors are often hired based on this type of referral, rather than on the merits of their qualifications and skills.
I often hear boaters express their displeasure about an experience where a marine surveyor “condemned” a boat, or the surveyor was viewed as unreasonable in relation to their recommendations. As a result, surveyors known to be less thorough and less detailed in their work tend to be favoured by boaters, especially for insurance surveys.
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SailGP, the international racing series featuring high speed F50 wingsailed catamarans, is partnering with RS Electric Boats – sister brand of sailboat manufacturer RS Sailing – to use the Pulse 63 electric RIB as chase, coach and support boats.
RS Electric Boats will supply SailGP with four Pulse 63s, which were designed to be electric boats from the outset. The unique aerodynamic hull form is designed to support the weight of the batteries while allowing rapid acceleration, functional speeds up to 23 knots and ample range.
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