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Best Boating Apps

sitting on the bow on the phone

Thanks to modern technology like phones and tablets, boating and exploring has become far easier and more convenient. These days, there’s limited boating equipment that can’t be replicated by the powerful device in your pocket.

The challenge is selecting the apps you like from the sea of thousands. Without prior experience, it can be quite difficult to determine which ones work well and which ones are a flop. If you are looking to add some new boating apps to your tablet or smartphone, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of awesome apps to help you navigate, plan and stay safe on the water this year.

If you’re looking for a new vessel to put these amazing apps to the test, check out our selection of new and preowned boats for sale.

Navionics

navigating a boat

Navionics is the world’s most popular marine app. Built by Garmin, an industry leader in GPS technology, Navionics has become a favourite among cruisers, sailors, fisherman and divers. The app has become one of the best available because of its extensive coverage, with different price points depending on the type of maps you want. It’s also extremely user-friendly with a pleasant interface, which allows boaters to customize their maps and mark destinations and points of interest.

Argo

Argo is navigation app that’s available in a free and premium version that integrates multiple features. Navigation is the key component, which displays offline charts with customization options, plus the app provides information on weather, tides, and wind. There’s also an added social component, as the app allows you to connect with other boaters to share tips and experiences.

Marine Traffic

Marine Traffic displays near real-time positions of ships and yachts worldwide. With both free and premium features, the app provides crucial real-time data about barges, tugboats, and other ship traffic in the area. Connected to the largest network of Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers, the app covers most major ports and shipping routes. Browse the map, see the wind forecast, search for vessels and ports, manage your fleet, and see what’s near you.

Big Wave Dave

windsurfing on the water

This is not an app, but it is a website trusted by boaters on the west coast. Big Wave Dave provides marine weather for windsurfing, kiteboarding, boating and kayaking in Victoria, BC. The website features webcams, wind reports, stats, forums, photos and more.

Travel Boast

Travel Boast is a fun way to both document and share your travel stories with friends. While not used exclusively for boating, the app has over 20 million downloads worldwide and allows you to create stories about your travels, complete with interactive maps and animations. From within the app, you’ll be able to create shareable content for your social media profiles.

Snag-A-Slip

on the dock securing boat

When you’re on the boat travelling from destination to destination, anchorage will be a major part of your planning. Snag-A-Slip allows boat owners to easily book a private boat slip from Canada to the Caribbean. With their easy-to-use reservation system, everything can be done online – including payments.

YachtWave

Maintenance and upkeep are something that every boat owner needs to stay on top of, whether you’ve got a small speedboat or a mega yacht. Keeping track of all those maintenance tasks and schedules can be confusing if you’re relying on a physical notepad or your memory. YachtWave helps you stay on top of all maintenance. After inputting information about your engines, generators and other equipment, YachtWave will keep all the maintenance info safe in one place, which is easily shareable with other boat owners or managers.

Ramp Assist

boat ramp and marina

If you’re launching and retrieving your boat with a ramp, Ramp Assist is an app that simplifies the process. The app allows boat owners to not only locate ramps, but view important info about them including cleanliness, traffic, and difficulty. You’ll also get real-time feedback on distance, angle and speed as you navigate the ramp.

C-Tow

A Canadian Marine Assistance app is now available! This app provides a fast, effective way to contact C-Tow for 24-hour marine towing and assistance services. To help provide you with a stress-free boating experience for you and your family. C-Tow Marine Assistance has been providing “Peace of Mind Boating” for Canadian boaters since 1984. Now with 30+ tow boats serving Ontario and BC, they’re on 24 hour standby ready to assist.

Animated Knots

rope in knot on boat

Animated Knots is the world’s favourite website and app for learning how to tie knots, including boating knots, fishing nots, and even other knots used for climbing, surgery, and more. The app acts as both a teacher and reference tool for boaters. With step-by-step instructions the app teaches you to tie knots at your own pace. It was also named “the best knot-tying app” by Outside Magazine!

Wavve

Knowing the tides is vital for safe and efficient boating. Tide times and heights will help you plan routes, save fuel, and strategize your docking while avoiding underwater hazards and strong currents. Wavve is a robust app with accurate tide information from around the world. Basic app features are free, plus the premium version allows boaters to extend tide forecast and access data offline.

Camera

Last but not least, the camera app is an essential while out boating to capture the memories to last you a lifetime! Don’t forget to share your adventures with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or submit it to our Boating Lifestyle Gallery to be featured on our website!

How Do You Like to Fish? Is It One Of These Styles?

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:

Pursuit 325 fishing

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

holding a fish

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

fishing off a boat

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

fishing in a creek

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

catching a fish with a net

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.

Marine Navigation Tools Every Boat Owner Should Have

Proper navigation tools, along with a bit of know-how, can mean the difference between life and death out on the water. If disaster ever strikes, it pays to be prepared. But even on the most clear and relaxing day on the yacht, you’ll rely on certain essential navigation tools.

Small Yachts for Overnight Excursions & Fishing Trips

If you’re ready to welcome a boat into the family, a small motor-yacht may be the perfect candidate for a range of different lifestyles. Of course a smaller yacht will be generally more cost-effective than a large one, but they’re also easier to handle, moor, and clean.

The Anatomy of a Boat: An Overview of Boat Parts

If you’ve recently become a member of the boating community, you’re probably interested in familiarizing yourself with the general anatomy of a boat. Even some long-time boat owners could use a brushing up of their terminology and knowledge.

Tips for Boating in Cold Weather

Extra preparation and precaution needs to be accounted for, because everything becomes a bit more dangerous in the cold. In this article, we’re sharing some of our best tips for cool weather cruising.

Pursuit Offshore OS 325 & OS 355 – Yacht-Calibre Luxury

The Pursuit Offshore 355 packs yacht-level luxury into a 35-foot boat, a clear indication of masterful design, intelligent space utilization, and comfort.

How to Winterize Your Boat

In this article, we’ll break down the complete winterization process for boat owners – everything from why it’s mandatory to procedures, products, tools and maintenance services you’ll need.

Off-Season Haul-Outs: Turning Down for the Winter

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.

August 2024 Update: Dock Refurbishment & Upcoming Projects

Dear Valued Marina Customers,

We are excited to announce several significant projects designed to enhance the quality and functionality of the marina. These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to providing you with the best possible marina experience.

 

Dock Refurbishment Projects

Starting in early September, we will commence a comprehensive refurbishment of the docks. This project will begin with A Dock, followed by B Dock, C Dock, and conclude with the wood-decked section of D Dock. Each dock will undergo a construction period of 3-4 weeks.

We will install new encapsulated Styrofoam floatation on the main docks, expanding on last year’s upgrades to the finger piers. These improvements will enhance stability and protect the environment. Additionally, the main docks will receive state-of-the-art fiberglass decking panels, selected for their durability, enhanced grip, and ability to allow sunlight to penetrate, benefiting marine life beneath the docks.

We will also upgrade all seven shore gangway ramps, replacing the perforated aluminum with the new fiberglass decking panels for a smoother surface and improved traction.

New pedestals will be installed on all docks, featuring dock lights, electrical outlets and water taps. These pedestals will be equipped with powder-coated aluminum enclosures for durability, LED lighting directed downward to minimize glare and enhance nighttime visibility, and a central digital metering system. The enclosed, angled design will shield electrical receptacles from weather and damage, providing a secure connection and ensuring long term reliability. The water taps will also be upgraded to easy-to-use stainless steel gate valves, mounted on the side of every new pedestal for improved access and functionality.

 

Additional Winter Projects

In addition to the dock upgrades, we are undertaking major improvements to the boat ramp and shoreline. We will overlay five new concrete precast panels to the boat ramp reducing the slope and ensuring a smooth, seamless transition for the self-propelled SeaLift. This enhancement will significantly improve our capacity to safely haul out larger power boats, up to 70 feet. Steel guide rails will be added to both sides of the ramp, and one cast-in-place panel will complete the transition between the existing ramp and the new panels.

Additionally, we will reinforce the shoreline along F Dock with riprap boulders to reduce erosion along the driveway. This work will take place during the fall, in conjunction with favorable tides to minimize siltation.

 

Our Commitment to Excellence

This significant investment in the marina infrastructure demonstrates our commitment to offering a first-class boating environment. We are confident that the new floatation systems, decking, electrical pedestals, and improvements to the boat ramp and shoreline will not only enhance safety and functionality but also contribute to a more enjoyable and sustainable marina experience.

While we are excited about the benefits these upgrades will provide, we acknowledge that there will be some temporary inconveniences. During the construction on your section of the dock, water services will be temporarily unavailable. However, other areas of the marina will remain accessible for filling water tanks or washing boats. Please note that the boat ramp will be closed during December and January for the ramp repairs.

Every effort will be made to minimize disruptions, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work diligently to complete these upgrades.

We look forward to sharing the enhanced facilities with you.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our marina office.

 

Warm regards,

Greg Dickinson, BCom
President
VAN ISLE MARINA