As boaters we all have a very unique connection to the water and all the opportunities it presents. And for most taking care of our lakes and waterways is very important, both for our own use and future generations.
This past decade has been a real up-and-down ride for the companies who make boating equipment. When the recession hit in 2008/2009, new product development for most manufacturers ground to a sharp halt as they focused on more pressing issues, like simply keeping the lights on.
While the basics of boat hull design hasn’t changed that much over the years, the same cannot be said for marine electronics. Indeed, the explosive growth in this market has changed the way we go boating and it continues to do so at an accelerated pace.
We are all looking to gain a little more time these days, and technology is often the route we pursue to find solution that will grant us more time for other things, even if that is just sunning on the bow or getting in the next chapter of that book you can’t put down.
Last year when this column launched a good deal of time was spent understanding global satellite navigation systems and which systems Apple and Android devices were able to connect to.
For a gloomy February we look not only at how an app that works within your phone can be of benefit to mariners but take a look at an interesting ‘pocket gadget’ that connects...
I am fortunate to have the ability to work from just about anywhere. A cellular signal and a Wi-Fi connection is about all I really need to put in a full day’s work.
In the last edition of this column we took a close look at iRegatta and the advantages it can bring while racing. This week we move beyond an app that aids during your race to one that can provide in depth analysis of your boat post-race.
While many boat owners simply choose not to venture out after dark, there are occasions when you may need to “see” under adverse circumstances like mist, fog or heavy rain and of course, at night.
For fans of burpees, lunges, squats and planks who want the added motivation of individual coaching while listening to music, the world's first wireless cross-training audio solution has arrived...
Read more: Wireless Sport Coach App Offers Real-time In-ear...
Lifestyle
H/H Sailor of the Month of November is Mark Lammens
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.
Read more about Mark Lammens...............
DIY & How to
Ask Andrew: Winterizing! What if you’ve missed the boat?
Sometimes life gets in the way of boating. A summer wedding, family get-together, or (heaven forbid) work forces you to cancel a weekend on the water.
As summer turns to fall, the excuses tend to get easier. Boat priorities tend to fall further and further down the to-do list. Before you know it, it’s the second week of November, and the first frost (or freeze) of the season has come and gone. But, because boating priorities became less important, you forgot to get your boat winterized.
Read more about Winterizing........................
Boat Reviews
J99 - Offshore Shorthanded Speedster
By Katherine Stone
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.
Read more about the J99 Offshore Shorthand Speeder.....................
Cruisers Yachts 38 GLS
By Andy Adams and John Armstrong
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.
Read More about Cruisers Yachts..................
Destinations
Heritage and hip: Kingston as a port destination
By Amy Hogue
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.
Read more about Kingston......................
Akzonobel’s New Awlgrip Single-stage Topcoat Makes Life a Breeze for Yacht Owners
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.
Read more about Akzonobel's Awlgrip Topcoat................
