Step-by-Step Instructions for Successful Mooring

Knowing how to moor your boat properly is a vital skill all boat owners should have.

No one wants to find their vessel damaged, floating away or sunk, which can all happen if it is not moored and secured properly. A damaged or submerged boat is not only a huge financial loss and stressful situation, but it can also cause environmental damage.

Mooring your boat securely and safely will give you the peace of mind that your boat will be ok while you are gone. Follow this boat mooring checklist to ensure your boat is properly moored each and every time.

>> Check out our mooring, anchoring and docking guide.

What is Mooring?

Mooring is the act of tying or securing your vessel to a fixed permanent structure in order to prevent it from moving around on the water. As you’ll learn, ‘mooring’ also refers to the equipment involved, like mooring lines, mooring buoys and mooring chains.

Boating around Vancouver Island, you’ll most likely find yourself mooring to a mooring buoy, a dock or pier, or a wharf. Here are some of the structures you can moor a boat to:

• Dock – a structure extending out from shore
• Wharf – a structure built along the shore of a harbour, typically larger than a dock
• Jetty – a structure extending from shore to impact currents and protect the harbour
• Pier – a raised structure supported by piles or columns, many of which are used for fishing, pedestrians, or commercial activity
• Quay – a platform structure lying alongside or projecting into water, typically designed for loading/unloading vessels

These structures all offer some kind of walkway and direct access to your vessel for easy boarding and loading.

You can also moor to a fixed position mooring buoy. A mooring buoy is connected via a mooring chain to a fixed anchor. When you moor to the buoy, the anchor holds your vessel in place.

Mooring buoys are in open water, making them a good option when you want to stop at an offshore location for some time. A dinghy or tender will be needed to get to shore.

Before I Set Off – What Equipment Do I Need to Moor Properly?

Before each journey, make sure your vessel is equipped with everything you will need for successful and safe moorage, whether that is out in the water or back at your home marina.

• At least one anchor is attached to an anchor line
• Bow line – rope used in the forward part of a ship
• Stern line – rope used in the rear or aft-most section of a boat
• Spring line – a diagonal rope to prevent movement
• Spare lines – for an emergency or unexpected docking situation
• At least 2 fenders (more if slip mooring) – also known as “boat bumpers”, which provide a cushion between your boat and a structure
• Boat hook for retrieving mooring buoy lines

>> Check out our boating equipment checklist.

How to Moor Your Vessel – A Step-by-Step Guide to Mooring Techniques

Mooring to a dock or jetty

Approaching a mooring – what to do first

• Get prepared
  • Does your mooring location have rules or requirements?
  • Do you need to check in and/or pay?
  • Can you moor anywhere or only in an allocated space?
• Find your designated mooring spot or a free mooring spot that looks accessible.
• Reduce speed to a minimum, then use reverse to bring the boat to a stop well away from the mooring.
• Observe any drift and consider how weather conditions and wind may impact your approach.
• Get lines ready by tying them to cleats
• Prepare fenders and drop them over the appropriate side of the vessel
• Make sure there is no other moving traffic in the area before proceeding

Parallel Mooring – mooring alongside a dock and securing along one side of the vessel

• Approach the dock bow first at a narrow angle of around 20 degrees
• When close, have a passenger step off to the dock and secure the bow line to a dock cleat
• Use the stern line to pull the back end of the boat in by hand and secure the line to the dock cleat
• If you will be away for some time or the weather is poor, add a spring line running from the stern cleat to the dock at midship, then up to the bow cleat.

If strong wind is pushing you away from the dock

• Approach the dock at a steep (approx. 40-degree) angle
• Put the vessel into reverse to hold position and secure the bow line to the dock cleat
• Put the boat briefly into forward and turn the wheel sharply away from the dock to swing in the stern
• Secure stern line to the dock cleat

If strong wind is pushing you into the dock

• Approach as slowly as possible, parallel to the dock
• Let the wind push you into the dock (make sure fenders are in place)
• Secure bow and then stern lines to dock cleats or bull railing

Slip mooring – mooring at right angle to dock or pier, between other boats or pontoons

• Find a mooring spot, then turn so the vessel is lined up in front of the slip
• Reverse into space, being careful of other boats
• Watch out for drift caused by wind and adjust as necessary
• Secure the boat by running lines from the bow and starboard cleats to the dock

Mooring to a mooring buoy

• Find out if the mooring buoy is public or private
• Approach the mooring buoy from downwind or current
• Put the engine into neutral and retrieve the buoy pick-up line using your boat hook
• Tie the bowline to the port or starboard bow cleat, then run the bow line through the loop in the pick-up line
• Tie the other end of the bowline to the opposite bow cleat

Mooring by Anchor

If you find yourself needing to stop while in open water but with no mooring buoys in sight, you will need to moor by anchor. See this step-by-step guide by discoverboating.com for tips on anchoring a boat.

After You Have Moored – Do These Things Before You Leave Your Boat

Mooring doesn’t end after you have tied up your lines. While docking may be one of the more difficult procedures in the boating experience, there are numerous other steps to take before completing the mooring process. Your boat will need to be fully shut down and protected before you leave it.

• Check your lines are unobstructed and secure
• Close through hull valves
• Switch on automatic bilge pumps and alarms
• Turn off non-essential electrics such as lights, VHF radio
• Connect to shore power if available to avoid battery drainage
• Store PFDs and life jackets
• Latch all cabin doors
• Lock ignition switches
• Take your boat key and offshore essentials with you
• Set the boat security alarm

>> Taking your boat in for maintenance? Check out our complete haul-out services available at Van Isle Marina.

Moorage Facilities to Suit all Vessels at Van Isle Marina

Whether you are looking for moorage options for a single night, a short stay or longer term, you’ll find everything you need at Van Isle Marina.

Located in Sidney, BC, Van Isle Marina is a full-service marina with 500 open and covered berths for boats up to 200 feet plus.

Utilities for those mooring at the marina include electrical hookup, water supply, waste disposal, full fuel dock and more. Van Isle Marina also has yacht maintenance and storage facilities, should your vessel require some work during your time mooring with us.

Contact Van Isle Marina today for more information about mooring with us.
Contact Van Isle Marina Today



Warm weather has officially come and gone here on the West Coast. Long, warm days on the water are over for now, and in order to get your boat ready for the next summer, there are some critical pieces of maintenance and upkeep that need to happen.

For some yacht owners, an annual haul out marks the end of boating season; for others, it’s a chance to clean and carry out any repairs before putting the boat right back in. Even if you enjoy boating year-round, annual boat maintenance shouldn’t be missed.

At Van Isle Marina, we’ve got all the facilities you’ll need to show your boat some love and get it ready for another winter season. If you dread haul-out time, you’re not alone – most boat owners feel uncomfortable watching their pride and joy get lifted out of the water. The good news is we have rounded up some of the top tips for a successful haul out, which will help make your next experience as stress-free as possible.

In this article, we’re going to share everything you need to know about hauling out your boat at Van Isle Marina.

Time for a Haul Out

Whether you’re planning to prep and store your boat until next summer or just carry out some annual maintenance before diving right back into the water, all boat owners will need a haul-out facility.

Van Isle Marina is home to a complete maintenance and storage facility, complete haul-out services for boats up to 70 feet, a fully fenced yard, environmental management systems, and equipment for rental.

The haul-out process involves physically removing your boat from the water using our sealift or your own trailer. No matter how you go about it, hauling out can be a stressful event for any boat owner. The best thing you can do is make sure you’re prepared. That means booking ahead, taking stock of their current state of your boat, familiarizing yourself with lift points, and removing anything that could get damaged.

To make the process as seamless as possible, it’s important to communicate with the marina staff. Be sure to provide your boat’s specifications, including length, weight, beam, draft, and make. Any other unique info is super helpful.

Why Do I Need to Haul Out My Boat?

There can be several reasons why you need a haul out, and when and how often you need them, such as:

• Annual inspections and cleaning
• To move it to another location
• To store it for the winter
• To trailer it on dry land
• Repairs and maintenance

Even if you live in a region which enables you to leave your boat in the water year-round, you should still have regular haul-outs as regular maintenance prolongs the life of your vessel.

If you don’t haul, clean and inspect regularly, you may miss damage or buildup of barnacles and other contamination, which can cause blockages and damage to mechanisms and instruments. This type of damage can ultimately cause water penetration, poor performance and lower fuel efficiency.

What Can I Do to Prepare for My Haul Out?

There are lots of things boat owners can do before a haul out to save time, stress and reduce the risk of things going wrong.

1. The most important thing is to plan ahead – if you are hauling it out during a busy boating season, you may need to book some time in advance for both the haul out and any maintenance work.
2. If you haven’t been out on the water for a while, take your yacht for a mechanical test run. Check how it feels when running at full rpm and make note of anything that may need to be looked at while it is out of the water.
3. Get to know where the safe lift points are on your vessel and mark them with bright tape. Doing this will make it easier for the crane operator and ensure your boat is being lifted by its strongest points, minimizing the risk of damage. Alternatively, show the operator a photograph of your boat out of water, which they can use to decide the best lifting spots.
4. The day before your haul out, take the time to work out your approach to the haul-out channel – this will help reduce stress on the day.
5. Remove anything from the boat that could move around in transit and get damaged.
6. If you usually live aboard, consider how long you are going to be off your boat. It could be one day or multiple days, depending on what you are having done. Be sure to take everything with you that you will need.
7. If you are not familiar with the yard or marina, remember to ask what facilities they have and how you can access them.
8. Need some maintenance work? Plan ahead as much as you can. Decide what you can do and what you need contractors to do. Buy parts and supplies ahead of time to prevent unwanted delays.
9. Familiarize yourself with the haul-out fees at your yard/marina and what they include. If you are going to be storing your yacht on dry land for a while, talk to the marina about which storage options are best for your vessel.
10. Pre-drain your water and waste tanks to reduce the weight of the boat.

Should I Be On Site for My Boat Haul Out?

If at all possible, be on site for the haul out. This is a great opportunity to observe your yacht while it is being lifted:

• How fouled is it?
• Is the paint chipping or peeling?
• Are the anodes worn?
• Any visible damage or erosion on propellers, rudders or transducers?

Self-Serve or Full Service Maintenance Services

Once your boat has been successfully hauled out of the water, you’re free to get started on annual boat maintenance and upkeep. This is the part where you can show your boat some love, get started on critical maintenance, and apply a little TLC before your boat drops back into the water or is tucked away in storage for the season.

Our facilities at Van Isle Marina can accommodate self-serve and full service. That means once your boat is hauled out of the water, you’re free to do what you please and carry out your own maintenance and upkeep. Alternatively, our marina staff will be at the ready for hire.

Our dedicated team of technicians and marina staff can carry out services like power washing, bottom painting, site cleanups, forklift, and more. And if your boat needs maintenance done to the engine, fuel systems or battery, we can connect you with the right skilled workers for the job.

Even if there are no major repairs required, consider these basic tasks:

• Bottom painting: After the hull has been cleaned, prepare it by filling any significant areas of paint loss and sanding. Make sure the part of the boat which was in contact with blocks or jack stands is painted and given time to dry before it is put back into the water.
• Check anodes: Replace them if they are more than 2/3 eroded. While zinc is the traditional material used for anodes for saltwater vessels, aluminum is a more environmentally friendly option that is also best for freshwater boating.
• Corrosion checks: Look over the hull for signs of rust or corrosion, including your anchor and chain.
• If you are hauling out to winterize your boat, make sure you drain your engine, use anti-freeze, add fuel stabilizer and remove any batteries before it is stored. Remove anything that can freeze, rot or attract vermin like food, towels and bedding. Remove and lay out material covers and seat cushions to reduce the chances of mould forming while the boat is stored.

Follow these tips to feel confident when it’s time to launch your boat back in the water, leaving you free to enjoy cruising the coast.

Prices for Haul Outs, Storage & Utilities

Prices for haul outs and services are as follows, segmented into three categories:

Haul Outs

The price of a haul-out depends on two factors: how big your boat is whether you require a full or half haul-out. A full haul-out includes the original haul plus positioning, getting set up on blocks, and launching. A half haul-out, convenient for inspections and marine surveys, is one where the boat remains on the trailer before being launched again.

The cost for a half haul-out starts at $10.10 per foot for a boat that’s 20-29 feet long. The maximum price is $14.05 per foot for a boat between 60 and 70 feet. If you’d rather have a full haul-out, prices start at $15.30 per foot and can run you $20.90 per foot if your boat is 60-70 feet. On top of that, an environmental fee of $1.15 per foot will be applied to half haul-outs, and $2.30 per foot for full haul-outs.

To view all our pricing on haul-outs and other pricing, visit our yachts haul-out page.

Storage

Once you’ve hauled out your boat and completed annual maintenance and upgrades, it’s time to get your boat prepped for storage. You’ll need a large, durable cover to shield your boat from moisture and precipitation. Canvas is ideal, but a waterproof tarp will work.

At Van Isle Marina, we have a fully fenced storage area complete with a card-access security system and cameras. Plus, depending on the length of time you need storage for, we can offer special rates and packages.

Our Annual Storage Special comes standard with 12 ‘round trips’, which includes a launch and full haul-out. Customers are welcome to use a maximum of 2 of these trips in one month. In addition, you can purchase additional valet trips as you need.

For an extra cost, we can also store various boat equipment, including the mast, trailer, dinghy and dinghy rack.

For a full list of prices, visit: Yacht Park and Storage Rates

Utilities

Van Isle Storage customers also have access to utilities if needed. Some boats will require an electrical hookup for standard electrical service, water supply, waste disposal, Wi-Fi, or other electrical demands. Electrical consumption is metered, and we can offer 15 Amp hookups for $38/month all the way up to 50 Amp hookups for $53/month.

Located on Harbour Road in Sidney, Van Isle Marina is one of the largest full-service marinas in the province. Contact us today to inquire about haul-outs, maintenance or storage.
Contact Van Isle Marina Today

Before venturing out into open waters with your brand-new Pursuit Boat, it’s important to have a basic understanding of common boat terms associated with the positions and directions of your boat. To the uneducated ear, even the simplest of boating terms can sound like a second language. Knowing these terms will make it easier to communicate with people aboard the boat as well.

At Van Isle Marina, we want to make sure that you have the best experience possible on your boating journey. In this article, we’re sharing all the boat slang you need to know.

Before you dive in, brush up on more of the basics:

• The Anatomy of Boat
• Basics of Marine Navigation
• Boat Maintenance Checklist

List of Common Boat Slang

Abreast: When two or more vessels are travelling side-by-side. If you’ve got a friend or the police pulling up on you, they will travel abreast.

Ballast: Weight added to the boat for extra stability. For larger ships, there may be big tanks, but on smaller boats, the ballast may just be lead bags and used more for watersports than stability.

Beam: The greatest width of the boat.

Bow: The front of the ship is called the bow. Knowing the location of the bow is important for defining two of the other most common sailing terms: port (left of the bow) and starboard (right of the bow).

Bunk (Berth): Also known as a berth, the bunk is a built-in bed on the boat.

Dinghy (or Tender): A small open boat. A dinghy is often used as a tender for a larger craft.

Draft: The depth of water a boat draws.

Fathom: A unit of measurement for the depth of the water. One fathom is equal to roughly 6 feet or 1.8 meters.

Fender: A cushion, placed between boats or between a boat and a pier, to prevent damage.

Gunwale: The top edge of your boat that runs along the length of the hull and provides structural reinforcement. Rather than how it looks, gunwale is pronounced “gun-wale”.

Head: This is the bathroom or toilet area, which got its name from its original location at the bow of a ship, allowing all matter to be washed away by waves.

Helm: This is an area where the boat is steered from. As the command centre of your craft, the helm is where you’ll find the steering wheel, throttle, communications equipment and more.

Hull: The main part of your boat. This is the watertight body with the job of providing buoyancy in the water while holding all passengers, cargo and systems.

Keel: A vital structural component of any boat that runs through the center of a craft’s bottom, acting as the backbone. Think “even keel”.

Leeward: Also known as lee, leeward is the direction opposite to the way the wind is currently blowing (windward).

Nautical Mile: A unit of measurement for distance out on the water. Based on the Earth’s longitude and latitude, one nautical mile is equal to roughly 1.85 kilometres or 6,000 feet.

Port: Port is always the left-hand side of the boat when you are facing the bow. Because “right” and “left” can become confusing sailing terms when used out in the open waters, port is used to define the left-hand side of the boat as it relates to the bow, or front.

Rudder: The movable blade at the stern of the boat used for steering. The rudder directs the flow of water and is essential for maneuvering.

Starboard: Starboard is always the right-hand side of the boat when you are facing the bow.

Stern: The back of a ship. If something is located at the stern, it is at the back of the boat. The stern is also known as the aft.

Trim: This is the running angle of your bow. When you adjust your trim, you’re changing your angle in the water, along with the speed, fuel efficiency and ride comfort.

Wake: Describes the waves created behind a boat as it tears through the water. So if you see a sign for “no-wake zone”, that means slow right down to a crawl.

Waterline: As the name suggests, this is the line on the hull of your boat that meets the surface of the water.

Weigh: A term used to describe lifting the anchor from the bottom of the water, therefore initiating movement. Once the boat is moving again, it’s considered “underway”.

Windward: The direction in which the wind is currently blowing. Windward is the opposite of leeward (the opposite direction of the wind).

Boat Lingo for Sailboat Owners

As a sailboat owner, you’re in a world with a whole other glossary of boat slang. The lingo above still applies, plus you’ve got extra slang to get familiar with.

Boom: This is the horizontal pole that holds the sail and is used to adjust its shape and angle.

Cathead: A beam projected on the bow of a sailboat used to hoist and secure your anchor. As such, the process of raising the anchor is known as “catting”.

Ease: The act of releasing tension on a sail or line by letting it out. In strong winds, you’ll want to ease the sail for better performance.

Jibing (or Gybing): This is when you maneuver the stern of your boat through the wind, which causes the boom and mainsail to swing to the other end of the boat – just like in the movies. Watch your head!

Lazy Jack: The rigging system on a sailboat made up of lines to help the mainsail fold itself onto the boom when lowered. This prevents the sail from spilling over the sides.

Mainstay: A strong rope or line that secures the mainmast to the deck of the ship. This prevents it from moving around while you’re out on the water.

Mast: The very tall vertical pole on your sailboat that supports the sails, rigging and other equipment.

Payout: Another term for adding slack to a line. This is how you reduce the tension and allow for movement.

Reefing: Reducing the sail’s area in order to lessen power in strong winds, returning you more control and stability. This is typically done by lowering the sail slightly and gathering some of it around the boom.

Sail: The large fabric structure used to propel you through the water with the help of wind. You’ll have one large mainsail, a jib used to control the bow, and perhaps a Genoa sail that overlaps the mainsail and is used for extra power.

Sheet: This is a rope or a line used to control the angle of sail based on the wind. You’ll have a mainsheet for the mainsail and jib sheets for the jib.

Tacking: Changing the direction of the bow through the wind, swapping from one side to the other.

Not ready to stop learning? Get a refresher on all the old boating superstitions. After all, it won’t hurt to be aware of all the good or bad luck you’re bringing on board.

If you’re itching to get out on the water and just need a beautiful new craft to get you there, come by Van Isle Marina in beautiful Sidney by the sea to browse our selection of new and pre-owned boats. We’ve got everything from big, beautiful sailboats to small yachts and fishing boats.

Contact us to inquire:

Perched on the northern end of the Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island is the charming oceanside community of Sidney. Known as ‘Sidney by the Sea’, this beloved small town beckons visitors from all over the world, along with locals, to retire or raise a family.

Sidney is conveniently situated as the gateway to Vancouver Island, with the BC Ferries Swartz Bay terminal and Victoria International Airport just a couple of minutes away. If you’re arriving by boat, there’s also a marina just down the road.

With a population of just over 12,000 residents, Sidney is buzzing with activity during the Spring and Summer months, as tourists arrive and boating enthusiasts dock at the nearby marina. Despite its small size, the town is packed with beautiful sights and fun activities, along with some incredible food and oceanside dining. This article highlights 10 things to do in with your time in Sidney by the Sea:

Walk the Sidney Pier

The oceanside pier is one of the main attractions in downtown Sidney, wrapping around the eastern edge of the town. Taking a stroll along the boardwalk, you’ll enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells of Sidney. The iconic fisherman’s pier is sure to be packed with people, fishing lines and crab traps, right next to the fish market where you can browse the fresh catches of the day. You’ll also come across multiple restaurants, bars, and access points to small beaches beneath.

Sip Craft Beer at a Microbrewery

If you’re into craft beer, Sidney has become a mini hotspot for microbreweries in recent years, with two must-visit spots right beside each other off Beacon Avenue.

Small Gods Brewing Co is the best spot for a wide range of beers, with pale ales, sours, porters and blanches. They’ve also got local ciders, wine and cocktails on tap, plus a menu of salads, deli sandwiches and small snacks.

Right next door, you’ll find Beacon Brewing, with some great craft beer plus a ton of events, including live music, trivia, music bingo, comedy, and more.

Dine at the West Coast Grill

For an authentic West Coast dining experience with stunning oceanfront views, visit the West Coast Grill located in Van Isle Marina. This brand new to Sidney restaurant places a focus on locally sourced ingredients, with an award-winning wine list and a local selection of beers.

The menu boasts share plates like calamari, duck wings, oysters and tuna tacos, plus homey but elevated main dishes from the land or from the sea. Their daily happy hour from 2:30-5 pm features glasses of wine, local beer and cocktails all for just $6, plus shareable appies for $15 or less!

Kayak to Sidney Spit

Sidney Spit is a sandy, narrow strip of beach that stretches out into the sea. It’s a very beautiful and remote place to sunbathe and stroll the thousands of metres of beach.

Sidney Spit is part of the Gulf Islands National Park, home to tidal flats, salt marshes, and shorebirds. The spit is also located on Sidney Island, roughly 5km from downtown Sidney, making it the perfect destination for a kayak trip. You can rent a kayak nearby and reach the island in about 2 hours if you take your time.

Browse the Shops & Galleries

Sidney is somewhat of a mini-mecca for shopping if you’re into handmade goods, local art and boutique shops. Strolling down Beacon Avenue towards the pier, you’ll find dozens of cute spots for antiques, art and unique finds.

Sidney is known as “Canada’s Booktown” due to its high concentration of bookstores and strong literary culture that values small, independent shops. The perfect place to stock up on books for the boat!

There are also several art galleries within a stone’s throw of each other. Clustered near the pier around Beacon Avenue, there are several galleries featuring paintings, photography, jewelry, and sculptures.

Check Out the Sidney Street Market

If you’re in Sidney for market season, you can’t miss the Sidney Street Market, which takes place every Thursday from 5:30-8:30 pm. The busy Beacon Avenue shuts down on Thursday nights from early June to early September every year, opening itself to unique vendors, live entertainment, and thousands of visitors.

For the 2025 season, the market is open until September 11th. This year, there are over 100 artists, makers, and fresh food creators being featured. There are also food trucks, activities, live local entertainment, and even special theme nights.

Hike John Dean Park

John Dean Provincial Park is situated at the top of Mount Newton in north Saanich, and can be accessed via car in only 10 minutes from downtown Sidney. The park is home to one of the last old-growth forests of Douglas fir and garry oak in the peninsula.

The park contains a number of different hikes of varying difficulty that take you through the forest. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even summit Mount Newton. Along with the stunning views of the peninsula, Gulf Islands and Cascade Mountains, you’ll find gorgeous wildflowers, ancient trees, and soaring eagles and hawks.

Visit Some Museums

If you’re interested in history or would like to engage with the natural world, Sidney is home to a diverse collection of museums.

BC Aviation Museum

At the BC Aviation Museum, you’ll learn about the history of aviation in Canada and BC, while viewing restored aircraft, engines, photos and videos. Kids will love all the interactive activities, plus there are 40 full-sized aircraft on display! The museum makes it home on the grounds of the Victoria International Airport, located on 1910 Norseman Road.

Sidney Museum

At the Sidney Museum in downtown Sidney, you can enjoy over 8,000 artifacts with prominent displays for First Nations, agriculture, transportation and social history. Along with the permanent artifacts, the museum is home to displays that rotate monthly. More recently, the museum featured exhibits on calligraphy, Canadian banknotes, and LEGO. The museum was established in 1971 and is located at 2423 Beacon Avenue.

Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea

The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea is less of a museum but rather of an engaging place to learn about local wildlife. It’s the only aquarium and cultural centre dedicated exclusive to the Salish Sea, with 28 aquariums, 160 live marine special and over 3,500 animals. The kids will love it! Located at 9811 Seaport Place.

See the World-Famous Butchart Gardens

If you’re up for a bit of an outing, the Butchart Gardens are something you need to experience at least once. A world-famous destination that sees millions of tourists every year, Butchart Gardens can be reached from Sidney in around 20 minutes.

The 55-acre display of perfectly manicured gardens has been around for over 120 years. It all started in 1904 when Jennie Butchart and her husband arrived from Ontario. Over the next 25 years, Jennie’s vision was brought to life.

Butchart Gardens can be visited all year round. The holiday season is always special, with lights decorating the entirety of the gardens. But the best time to enjoy the gardens in bloom would be Spring and Summer.

Go Whale Watching

If you’re just visiting Canada’s west coast, your trip isn’t complete without seeing one of the giant, majestic creatures that roam our waterways. The calm waters just off Sidney are home to both resident and transient orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, and minke whales.

The southern resident orcas are the star of the show, due to their predictable movements and desire for salmon. Whale sightings are fairly common by boat. So if you want a chance at seeing these beautiful creatures in the wild, your best shot is to go whale watching.

Sidney Whale Watching has been First Nation owned and operated for over 20 years, and is the best choice for whale watching in the area, offering whale watching trips, private charters and culinary tours.

Next time you’re in Sidney, be sure to stop by Van Isle Marina and check out the selection of new and pre-owned yachts in our marina. Van Isle Marina is an exclusive dealer of Pursuit Boats, plus we have some beautiful used boats ranging from 21 to 65 feet. Visit us in person before dinner or contact our yacht broker to inquire.

Types of Recreational Fishing

Vancouver Island is a fishing paradise here on the Pacific. Our diverse ecosystems with easy access to freshwater and saltwater fishing plus mild weather conditions makes the island ideal.

Whether you plan to find a remote lake or hit the open ocean, having a boat to fish from offers plenty of advantages. Fishing aboard a boat is the most spacious and comfortable method when you’re out in the elements. You’ll also gain access to better fishing spots, including deeper waters and remote locations.

Van Isle Marina has a range of new and preowned boats for sale, perfect for fishing here on the West Coast. We have yachts of varying makes and models, designed to fit all kinds of budgets.

In this article, we’re diving into the fishing methods most commonly used here in the Pacific Northwest:

Trolling

Trolling is a fishing method that involves dragging fishing lines across the bottom of the ocean or lake. Using one or more fishing lines baited with either fish or lures, this method is used to cover large underwater areas while attracting fish from different depths of the water. The constant motion (ideally powered by a boat) can also be adjusted to mimic the real-life movement of the lure or bait.

One challenge when trolling is the wind. If the surface of the water is rippling too much, fish tend to back off and become more cautious. To counter this, try trolling with the wind rather than against it. This will increase your chances of passing the fish in the correct direction.

Trolling is used to catch all kinds of trout in fresh water, but it’s also a popular method for catching salmon, a prized catch here in the Pacific Northwest that attracts visitors from across the world. Just make sure to brush up on salmon fishing regulations first.

Drift Fishing

Drift fishing is a method similar to trolling, where fishermen allow the boat to ‘drift’ rather than powering it through the water. Using this method, the boat will move with the current and the lure or bait will motion along with the natural flow of the water.

Like trolling, drift fishing is a flexible method that can be employed in the ocean or freshwater, in a range of different depths. You can use live bait or a lure, and catch lots of different fish just by drifting and mimicking a more natural movement.

You can even try ‘bottom bouncing’ when drift fishing in an attempt to catch salmon and trout, which involves using weighted lures that effectively allow you to bounce along the bottom.

Other considerations to make include ‘leader length’ and ‘drift’. Leader length is the length of the line you’re using when drift fishing. Your leader length can impact how your lure or bait presents in the water. The drift is how far away your line drifts behind you in the water. By extending your drift and giving out more line, you can increase the number of fish that you will encounter when drifting.

Lure Casting

Lure casting is a fishing method that requires throwing out a lure before retrieving it with your line. Also known as cast and retrieve fishing, this method is a little more physically demanding.

Retrieving your line manually can mimic the movement of a fish, just like trolling and drift fishing. The other key benefit of lure casting is that it’s a lot less passive. Other fishing methods leave you waiting for a bite, but with lure casting, you can single out and target fish rather than simply dragging your line. It’s great if you want a little workout, too!

Fly Fishing

Fly fishing, also known as fly casting, is a fishing method that uses artificial lures called flies to attract and catch fish of all kinds. These flies imitate waterborne insects or very small animals hanging out on the top of or right below the water. The equipment looks a little different for fly fishing. Not only will you be using a specific lure, but the rods are also different. Fly fishing rods are lightweight and long, attached to a specific fly line and a fly reel.

Fly fishing is an unconventional technique that takes practice to master. It involves casting with a sweeping motion. From there, the rod and line work together to propel the fly. Fly fishers also have to be mindful of how the fly is presented to the fish, along with water flows, currents, and fish behaviour.

Bottom Fishing

The conventional angling method would be to attach a float to your line, inviting fish to swim up and bite. Bottom fishing is different in that instead of a float, hooks or lures are attached with a weight, allowing the line to sink to the bottom.

You can use all kinds of bait, hooks and lures for this method, but the key is that your line remains on or near the bottom of the ocean, lake or river.

This method of fishing is used for targeting groundfish. BC and Pacific Northwest waters have no shortage of groundfish lurking, which make up a diverse group of species here, including some of world-class calibre.

Pacific halibut is one that people flock from all over to catch – just be sure to read up on the rules first. You can also catch sablefish, ling cod, rockfish, sole, founder, and cod using the bottom fishing method in BC waters.

Fishing with Nets

Among more traditional fishing methods like weirs, traps, and fishing wheels, nets are another effective fishing method still used today. There are plenty of different kinds designed for catching fish here in the Pacific Northwest.

• Gillnets: vertical panels of netting that hang in the water, often used for catching salmon by commercial fishermen.
• Reef nets: A net stretched between two anchored boats, creating a barrier.
• Dipnets: Nets attached to poles which are used for catching fish in rivers and streams.
• Hoop nets: Nets stretched open by a hoop and lowered into the water off platforms or docks.

Check out Van Isle Marina’s selection of new and pre-owned power boats for fishing, or visit us in person on Harbour Road in Sidney.