There is nothing more relaxing than reading a book on the back deck. Unless, of course, you are wearing fabulous sunglasses and drinking from a chilled glass. I have put together a collection of my favourite products for 2024. Enjoy!

It’s snowing in Vancouver, and it is the perfect time to curl up on the couch with a gourmet hot chocolate and plan your trip to the boat show(s).  This year, we have Vancouver and Seattle back-to-back. Oh my!

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and while I prefer to share experiences, sometimes some really cool gadgets catch my eye. This summer, I used an underwater camera to determine that a crab line was wrapped around a fellow boater’s prop. The water was cold and the expense of a diver was high if there was nothing there. Those were dollars well spent. I am also a big fan of “know-before-you-go” so I have added my local tide datum to my Outlook calendar. It makes trip planning easy, and loading the boat at a high tide (avoiding the vertical ramp with the wheelbarrow) even easier!

I know they call it November rain but we already have a good dose of October rain. As hard-core boaters, we have figured out ways to stay dry and enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Here are some of my not-so-soggy favourites.

I admit it, I was in denial – trying to squeeze the last ounce of summer out of 2023.  I knew if I posted the September newsletter, I would have to admit that Fall was upon us and I wasn’t ready.  I was thinking small. Now I say, “Bring it on!”

It has been a fantastic summer thus far and the theme this month is catching up with friends, aka the “dock party”. A gathering with those who only drink wine on special occasions, like Thursdays. Check out the handy new picnic cooler I found along with a long-time fave, the plastic wine carafe. Happy docktails!

After years of experimenting, I have found the perfect salt and pepper grinders for my boat. Along with some great cooking tweezers, a must-have safety product, and a fun summer event that raises funds for the Gambier Community Centre Society.

It’s time to load the boat and I want to share a couple of my favourite “make life easy” carry-ons to help you.  Also, an article I wrote for Northwest Yachting Magazine about things going terribly wrong.  But not to worry, it ended well.

This month is all about Cinco de Mayo, starting with my favourite Margarita recipe, some fabulous stay-cold glasses, an easy appetizer, a good read and all the events.  In the words of my favourite bumper sticker, “Stop trying to fix everything; you’re not tequila.”

April is time to unwrap the boat if she has been hibernating and prepare for this year on the water. I downloaded the SkyView app and think it is amazing –point it to the sky, and the app identifies all things celestial.

March can be a dreary month which made me think of things that can fall in the water or get wet. Also, we have made it out of the darkness and “spring ahead” on March 12^th.

Put on your comfortable walking shoes and a warm fleece, it’s time for the 2023 Vancouver International Boat Show. I have put together a list of my top tips and tricks.

Happy New Year, boaters! 2023 starts with some inspiration, good skin care and the lead-up to the first in-person Vancouver Boat Show.