Where and How to Camp by Boat

Camping by boat might not be what comes to mind when you think about heading into the great outdoors. Usually, it involves planning when and where you want to go before packing everything into your car, not your boat. But, for boat owners, camping can take on a whole new dimension. There are two ways to go camping by boat:

• By Yacht. With a yacht, your opportunities for camping by boat are virtually endless. After all, you can cook and sleep in your boat and take a dinghy or kayak out for exploring. 
• By Canoe. Launching from a boat ramp and paddling your canoe through one of our many lakes and rivers can certainly be a way that you can go camping by boat. Everything you take must be able to fit into your canoe, however, so pack smart! 

Check the Weather Before Going Boat Camping

Inland boat campers may get a little soggy in poor weather, but those going camping by boat can face much more extreme weather. Check the forecast for the places you intend to visit, but make sure you check the marine weather too. This type of forecast gives you valuable information concerning wind speed, wave height, precipitation, storm watches, air temperatures, and more. Learning how to understand a marine weather forecast will help you plan a safe trip. 

Staying Safe

 

Camping by boat doesn’t just involve loading up and leaving. There are three critical things to consider when you are getting ready to go out on a boat:

• Is your craft safe to use?
• What do you do in case of an emergency?
• Can you navigate safely?

Take the time to ensure that your boat is safe and that you and your guests understand how to enjoy camping by boat safely. Transport Canada requires – by law – that the following items be present:

• One correctly fitted Personal Flotation Device/ Lifejacket for every passenger
• One buoyant heaving line at least 15m in length
• A manual propelling device or anchor with at least 15m of rope
• A selection of visual signalling devices
• A sound signalling device
• A fire extinguisher
• A bailing device or hand pump

If you are canoe camping, safety measures are a little more straightforward. Make sure you have the above items and that everybody knows what to do in an emergency. If you have a yacht, you will also need to think about a few extra things:

• Are your fuel and oil levels good?
• Are all the onboard batteries charged?
• Are all the lights working?
• Is the radio working?
• Do your guests know what to do if you are incapacitated?

Ready, Set, Let’s Go Boat Camping!

As with any trip, camping by boat requires a few last-minute preparations so that everything is well-planned and organized. The most basic preparations involve making sure you have enough clothing, bedding, food, water and first aid to cover the entire trip. In addition, you will need to make sure all your essential documents – such as licences and ID – are easily accessible. Finally, you will also need to consider the weather forecast for the entire span of your intended trip to determine potential safety issues.

If you are heading out on a yacht, there are a few things to prepare before you leave:

• Put your essential papers in a safe, accessible place
• Check your onboard machinery
• Check that your safety devices are not expired 
• Have all the maps and charts you will need for the trip 
• Calibrate your compass
• Check your anchor and ropes
• Check your engine
• Check for damage, including the electrical and sanitation systems
• Make sure someone you trust knows where you are going and when you expect to be back

The Top 3 Spots to Boat Camp Around Vancouver Island

Buttle Lake, Strathcona Park

Awe-inspiring Strathcona Park is almost at the center of Vancouver Island. It extends from midway between Parksville and Courtenay to just northwest of Campbell River. It is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia, having been incorporated in 1911. While you get to the Buttle Lake, Karst Creek and Ralph River campgrounds and boat ramps by vehicle, there are also campsites on the lake that are boat access only. Over 23 kilometres in length, Buttle Lake features these popular camping spots:

• Rainbow Island
• Mt Titus Marine Campsite
• Wolf River
• Phillips Creek

All campsites have pit toilets and several pads for tents. Along with fantastic boating opportunities for kayaks, canoes, and motorboats, Strathcona Park boasts some of the most scenic hiking trails on all of Vancouver Island. You can also enjoy rock climbing, fishing, swimming, waterskiing and abundant wildlife watching.

Broken Group Islands

Located between Ucluelet and Bamfield on Vancouver Island’s west coast, you will find Barkley Sound, home to the lush forests of the Broken Group Islands. While visitors are encouraged to explore and go camping by boat to their heart’s content, onshore camping can only be done at these designated areas:

• Hand Island
• Turret Island
• Gibraltar Island
• Willis Island
• Dodd Island
• Clarke Island
• Gilbert Island

Access to the Broken Group Islands is boat-only, but there is plenty to see and do onshore and offshore. You can explore tidal pools or take a leisurely paddle through the emerald-green waters that surround the islands. Be on the lookout for eagles, bears, whales, sea otters, and so much more!

Each designated camping area features solar composting toilets, but visitors must bring in their own water and take out any refuse and protect the local ecosystem. 

Rugged Point Marine Provincial Park

 

Located ¾ up the west coast of Vancouver Island, this boat-access-only park sports one of the most stunningly beautiful stretches of coastline on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Its protected beaches are quiet and serene, contrasting sharply with the wind-swept waves of the Pacific.

Rugged Point Marine Provincial Park is a haven for explorers and boat enthusiasts, but not many know that you can camp onshore there. The designated camping area is small, featuring only four tent platforms, but you are allowed to pitch your tent on the beaches if you wish.

Alternatively, you can spend your nights offshore and stretch your legs in the day-use area. There you will find a sheltered picnic area, a pit toilet and a food cache.

Rugged Point Marine Provincial is popular for canoeing and kayaking, but you can also fish, windsurf and see wildlife.

 

Do we have you thinking about going camping by boat? Our experienced crew will help set you on the right path. Contact Van Isle Marina today!

The Essential Safety Equipment you need for any Boating Trip

Boat distress flares are one of those things that no one really thinks about until they need it.

Being out on the water can be a wonderful way to spend a day, a week, or even a month. There is nothing quite like enjoying the sunshine while gliding through the water on your yacht, or perhaps dropping a line or a crab trap off the side of your fishing boat. 

But if you found yourself in an emergency situation, would you know how to attract attention using a visual distress signal such as a flare?

Chances are, you’ve got a pretty good idea about what you need to take with you on a boating trip in terms of food, drinks, clothing, equipment and so on, but do you also have the basic safety equipment that all boats are required to carry?

In this blog, we will discuss the types of boat distress flares available, how you should store them and what the rules are about using them, but first let’s look at the basic safety equipment you need to have on board.

Your Boating Safety Equipment Checklist

No matter the size of your boat, you should carry a boating emergency kit  on board in case of an emergency, which should include:

• A propelling device, in case of engine failure
• An anchor, with 15-meter rope, in case of engine failure
• A heaving line, for water rescues
• A fire extinguisher
• A bailer or hand pump, in case of flooding on board
• An emergency kit, including First Aid, boat documentation, communication tools, navigation tools, extra batteries, water, snacks, weather items, a knife, and a change of clothes.
• A selection of visual signalling devices, such as flares and waterproof flashlights
• A sound signalling device, such as horns or whistles.

Some of the above are simply a good idea to have on board your boat, but some – like distress flares – are required by law. Most importantly, carrying these items aboard can save you in the event of an emergency.

What are the Requirements for Boat Distress Flares in Canadian Waters?

Different countries have different rules about the use of distress flares on boats, but Canadian laws regarding distress flare requirements are as follows:

• While on an ocean or a body of water where it is possible to travel over 1 nautical mile from the shore, you are required to have flares on board.
• While on a body of water where it is not possible to travel over 1 nautical mile from shore, you are not required to have flares on board.
• Boats under 6 meters must have 3 distress signals (in addition to smoke signals).
• Boats between 6 and 9 meters require 6 distress signals (in addition to smoke signals).
• Boats between 9 and 12 meters require 12 distress signal flares (half of which should not be smoke signals).
• Boats over 12 meters require 12 distress signals (half of which should not be smoke signals).
• Distress signals must only be used in the event of an emergency. Any non-emergency use is illegal.

When you have the required equipment on your vessel, you can relax a little more, knowing that you’ve covered all your bases and planned for an emergency. 

What are the Different Types of Distress Flares?

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to the devices that could very well save your life one day. There are four main types of distress signals: rocket parachute flares (Type A), multi-star flares (Type B), handheld flares (Type C) and smoke signals (Type D). 

Boat Distress Signals Type A: Rocket Parachute Flares

As the name indicates, Type A distress signals have a rocket capable of launching the flare 300 meters into the air. Once the flare hits its maximum height, a parachute billows out and the flare burns red for 40 seconds while descending. This type of distress signal is viewable up to 20 nautical miles away. 

Boat Distress Signals Type B: Multi-Star Flares

Type B distress signals shoot off two or more red stars (like fireworks) at intervals of up to 15 seconds, with the stars burning for around 4 seconds. With a maximum height of 100 meters, Type B distress signals can be seen up to 12 nautical miles away.

Boat Distress Signals Type C: Handheld Flares

These handheld distress signals are easier to see from the air than from the surface of the water, assisting rescuers who are within a few nautical miles. These flares are shaped like a long tube and are designed to burn bright red while the operator waves them slowly back and forth.  

Boat Distress Signals Type D: Smoke Signals

Type D distress signals can be handheld or able to float on the water. The buoyant type will produce orange smoke for a minimum of 3 minutes on calm water, while the handheld variety produces smoke for a minimum of 1 minute. The important thing to remember about Type D distress signals is that they are only usable in clear daylight, since smoke signals rely on high-visibility weather conditions.

There are a few other distress signal types, including LED flares, but these are not approved by Transport Canada. Distress signals onboard Canadian vessels need to be picked from the four approved types listed above. 

Each type of distress signal has its own unique features, but one feature that they all share is that they are valid for 4 years after their manufacture date. Expired distress signals need to be disposed of promptly, according to the disposal instructions on the device itself.

How Should You Store Your Distress Flares Onboard?

The single most important thing about distress signal storage is that they need to be kept away from heat sources and flammable liquids or gases. Your distress signals should be kept upright in a waterproof container somewhere cool, dry, and easy to access. After all, an emergency device is useless if you can’t get to it quickly and easily.

It’s a good idea to paint the storage container with a bright colour and label it “Distress Signals” so that other people on the craft can easily identify the container.

Stay Safe and Enjoy the Trip!

Now that your boat is fully stocked with all the necessary safety equipment, be sure to go over their location and usage instructions with any passengers before setting off. 

At Van Isle Marina, our knowledgeable staff can help you with sourcing any safety equipment you require while you are moored with us. We offer long and short-term moorage options and a wide range of amenities for overnight guests including showers and a business centre. Contact us today to find out more or book a slip.

The Best Boat Accessible Beaches to Explore on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands

For those who are lucky to live or vacation here, we know that Vancouver Island beaches rank easily among the best in the world. 

At over 450km from the northern tip to the south, and surrounded by well over 220 smaller islands, Vancouver Island has a bit of everything for those seeking a quality beach-going experience. 

To help you plan your next big boating and beach trip, we’ve made a list of some of the best boat-accessible beaches on Vancouver Island and the surrounding Gulf Islands. Whatever your preferred beach activities, there is something for everyone.

Explore the Tropical White Sands at Grant Bay

 

On the northwest coast of Vancouver Island lies a white sand beach that could easily rival the best that Jamaica has to offer. 

Grant Bay is a haven for people who don’t mind going the extra mile to find a quiet, secluded bit of paradise fit for explorers, swimmers, sunbathers and water sports enthusiasts alike. The expansive beach is nestled among rocky shores, making for a setting that is as stunning to look at as the waters are inviting.

Although this beautiful beach can be accessed via logging roads and an easy 5 to 10-minute hike, getting there by water is much nicer.  

To get to Grant Bay by yacht, you can follow the west coast north from Tofino and moor at Winter Harbour. From there, a pleasant day trip by canoe or kayak will take you directly to the beach. For a more adventurous trip, launch at Port Hardy and sail west around Cape Scott on the northern tip of Vancouver Island.

Popular Miracle Beach Has Room for Everyone

 

Miracle Beach, located halfway between Courtenay and Campbell River on the east coast of Vancouver Island, is a popular vacation spot for both locals and visitors. Like many of the beaches on Vancouver Island, Miracle Beach can be accessed by road, by canoe or kayak, or you can sail up the east coast and anchor your larger boat offshore.

While the pebble beach itself is a popular spot, there is so much available space that you won’t be clamoring for room no matter what you choose to do. 

Whether you choose to go swimming or stand-up paddling, you’ll find the water is nice and calm in the summer months.

Relax at UNESCO Hot Springs Cove

While it’s not technically a beach, Hot Springs Cove offers an inviting and memorable experience that puts it easily shoulder-to-shoulder with the best of the Vancouver Island beaches on this list. 

Located in picturesque Maquinna Provincial Park, northwest of Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Hot Springs Cove is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It features natural geothermal springs, where you can soak in luxuriously warm waters against a backdrop of stunning scenery.

The best way to access Hot Springs Cove by yacht is to launch from Tofino. Once you get there, simply put down the anchor and enjoy a beautiful boardwalk path to the springs.

Bird and Sea Life Watching in Abundance at Sandy Island Marine Park

 

Before it became a park in 1966, Sandy Island Marine Park was used by the Canadian military for exercises. These days, Sandy Island Marine Park is a small but beautiful island park that is located 6 miles off the northern tip of Denman Island. It is accessible by boat during high tide, but avid sea floor explorers can walk to it along an exposed sandbar during low tide. 

Sandy Island offers ideal conditions for coastal birdwatching and an abundance of other activities, like swimming, fishing, canoeing, hiking trails and hunting for waterfowl (in season and with licenses and tags). 

While making your way to the island by yacht, you may be lucky to see loons, seals and even dolphins! 

As one of British Columbia’s many beautiful provincial parks, Sandy Island Marine Park is equipped with all the basic amenities. The star attraction, however, is a lovely sand beach for swimming, sunbathing and picnicking. 

Dionisio Point Provincial Park is Only Accessible by Boat

 

Located on the northern tip of Galiano Island, Dionisio Point Provincial Park offers rocky shores, beautiful sand beaches and stunning views. This secluded beach is only accessible by boat meaning there is always plenty of space for sunbathers, frisbee throwers and picnickers. 

Both Galiano Island and Dionisio Point are named for the Spanish explorer Captain Dionisio Alcala Galiano, who, in 1792, discovered the Gulf Islands. The park began its existence as a summer camping area for commercial fishermen coming from Vancouver Island and has since become one of the area’s hidden gems. 

As a Provincial Park, Dionisio Point is equipped with pit toilets and picnic tables, making your visit there that much more comfortable.

Wildlife is abundant, both on and offshore. While visiting, you might see black tailed deer, bald eagles, raccoons, loons, grebes, mergansers and much more. On your way to Dionisio Point, you may even come across orcas, dolphins or seals.

To access Dionisio Point Provincial Park, sail up the east coast or launch anywhere between Nanaimo or Duncan for a shorter trip. Mooring is by offshore anchor.

Surprising and Sandy Savary Island

Savary Island, situated in the middle of the Strait of Georgia, is essentially one big exposed sandbar. The island is surrounded with warm sandy beaches. The shallows and gradual slope of the sandbar around the island mean the beautiful turquoise water warms up nicely. 

Launch from Courtenay or Campbell River for an interesting sail through the Gulf Islands to this unusual sandy spot.

Enjoy Beachcombing at Blackberry Point

Blackberry Point, on Valdes Island, is widely considered to be one of the brightest gems in the Gulf Islands. With 300+ feet of shell and pebble beach, there is plenty of space for sunbathing and games. 

Explorers will have fun searching the beaches for interesting rocks and shells. If you’re arriving in a larger yacht, you’ll need to anchor offshore and paddle in. The easiest and most direct point of launch is from Blue Heron Park in Nanaimo, since it is almost directly across the water. 

Explore Vancouver Island Beaches in a New Yacht from Van Isle Marina

Any of the Vancouver Island beaches listed here will make a memorable day trip for you and your loved ones. We at Van Isle Marina suggest picking your favourite and planning to spend at least a day to thoroughly soak up the beauty and get the best experience possible.

If you’re looking for a new, or new to you, yacht for exploring Vancouver Island’s many beaches, check out our new and used boat listings. Contact our yacht sales team today, who will be pleased to get you set up for future beach adventures.

How Foghorns are Used Today and the Signals you Need to Know

We all recognize the iconic sound of a foghorn, the deep resounding note that booms out through the mist to warn boaters of danger or other vessels in the water. But, did you know the foghorn is a Canadian invention?

Foghorns, or fog signals, were historically used on land, from a lighthouse or other building, to warn sailors away from dangers when visibility was poor. In more recent times, they have adapted into an on-board navigation tool, used internationally as a sounding device.

Although their design and purpose may have changed somewhat since they were first used, foghorns remain a vital piece of equipment, and all boaters should be familiar with the signals they may hear or need to use while on the water.

>> Read more: Boat Safety Checklist

The History of Foghorns – a Canadian Invention

Fog and poor visibility are arguably the biggest obstacles a sailor can face. Sound signals have been used for hundreds of years in an effort to prevent tragic outcomes. Originally, bells, gongs and even canons were used to get the point across. These had to be struck continuously by hand by a designated person.

The first automated foghorn was steam powered and was designed by Robert Foulis, a New Brunswick-based inventor. He was said to have realized the benefit of low-frequency sound when he heard his daughter practicing piano scales through the fog. 

Foulis’ design was for a horn which made noise when air was pushed through it using a steam-powered compressor. Another Canadian engineer, TT Vernon Smith installed the first-ever foghorn, from Foulis’ design, at Partridge Island, NB in 1859.

In the early 20th century, a compressed air version of the foghorn, the diaphone, was developed and that device was used in hundreds of lighthouses across the western and eastern coastlines of Canada until the 1970s when an electric-powered air horn replaced it.

These days, lighthouse foghorns are rare as the development of modern navigational tools, like onboard compressed air horns and GPS, has made them redundant. In British Columbia, lighthouse foghorns were shut down in the early 2000’s to save money, although there are a few remaining foghorns on the east coast.

Foghorns Today – an On-Board Navigational Tool

 

These days the foghorn sounds you hear coming through the haze are from vessels that are navigating through restricted visibility. It is a legal requirement for boats to carry sound signaling devices, to be used for both communication with

other vessels when underway and in poor visibility.

According to Transport Canada, any sail or powerboat under 12 meters must carry at least one sound signaling device from:

• Compressed gas foghorn
• Whistle 
• Electric horn

Boats between 12m and 20m must have one of the above devices plus a fitted whistle, while those over 20m must also have a fitted bell.

Some yachts now come with built-in, electronically controlled horns. Large ships and cruise liners also have strict requirements and are

 identifiable as their foghorns are deeper and louder than a pleasure boat.

Sound Signaling – Foghorn Signals You Should Know

 

Imagine being at sail on the ocean and getting caught unexpectedly in thick fog. Ensuring you don’t collide with another vessel, run aground or drift into a shipping path will be of prime concern. 

You will need to make quick decisions about your course of action, begin making the required sound signals, as well as listening out for signals from other vessels.

Read our previous blog to find out more about safe boating in poor visibility and the steps you should take if you find yourself in a low visibility situation. 

Anyone who is in control of a boat should be familiar with the international standard for sound-signaling, not only to be able to make others aware of your own presence, but to understand the signals you hear.

In good visibility, foghorns, or electric horns should be used to notify your intention when passing another vessel.

When approaching head-on:

• 1 short (1 second) horn blast = I will pass you on my PORT (left) side
• 2 short horn blasts = I will pass you on my STARBOARD (right) side

When passing from behind

• 1 short blast = I will pass on your STARBOARD
• 2 short blasts = I will pass on your PORT

In clear conditions, sound signals should also be used to warn of the following:

• 1 long (4-6 seconds) blast = I am leaving dock or departing slip
• 3 short blasts = I am operating in ASTERN (reverse) position
• Combine 1 long and 3 short blasts to = I am backing out of dock
• 5 short blasts = danger signal, use as a warning to others

In poor visibility, use the following guidance and signals:

• Continue on your set course, reducing to a speed that will allow quick adjustments.
• Turn on your running lights.
• Allocate a passenger to be lookout.
• Turn on GPS and radar to establish position and for early warning of landmasses, sandbanks and other vessels.
• Start making the appropriate sound signals.

Sound signals repeated at 2-minute intervals will make other boats aware of your position and whether you are underway or stopped. Common signals for boats in poor visibility include use of foghorns and bells (each repeated every 2 minutes):

• Under sail (wind power) = 1 long and 2 short blasts
• Under motor (engine power) = 1 long blast
• Underway but stopped = 2 long blasts
• At anchor = ring bell rapidly for 5 seconds
• Run aground = 3 bell strokes, 5 seconds of rapid bell ringing, 3 more bell strokes

Shelter from Foggy Conditions at Van Isle Marina

If the marine weather forecast is predicting low visibility, choose to stay safe and moor at Van Isle Marina. 

Located in Sidney, BC, our state-of-the-art marina is fully loaded with facilities such as a business centre, laundromat and shower facilities, so you can make the most of your day at the dock. Why not check out our on-site restaurant too?

Contact us today for more information about mooring with us.

Technology Can Make Boat Ownership Easier Than Ever

Technology and the Internet of Things impacts every aspect of our lives, home, car and lifestyles. So, it is somewhat inevitable that demand for this type of connectivity would eventually reach the boating world too.

Boat owners are beginning to turn to smart technology on their vessels to monitor, track, protect and enhance their boating experiences. Today’s top technologies allow you to connect with and monitor your boat and its systems while you are away. It also allows you to receive up-to-the-minute information while on the water for things such as bilge level alarms or important weather updates.

Boat manufacturers recognize the interest in this kind of technology. As a result, more boats are now being created with smart technology built in. Just recently, Yamaha purchased one of the front runners in boating connectivity devices, Siren Marine, with the intention of integrating its products on all their vessels moving forward.

So, what exactly is connected boating and what does it offer boat owners?

What is Connected Boating?

Connected Boating is the overarching term for the use of smart technologies to enhance boat ownership and boating experiences. 

Just like in other areas of our lives, the boating industry and boat owners are turning to smart technology and connected devices to improve security, monitor systems and offer real-time updates and alerts.

Specific devices or entire systems can be added to vessels that use sensors to collect data which is then sent to an information hub or cloud, using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or even satellite technology. 

This information is instantly and continuously analyzed. The information is sent back to the owner via an app subscription, downloaded onto their smartphone or tablet. In many cases, the owner is able to control and manage devices and switches directly from these apps as well.

How Can Smart Technology Enhance My Boating Experience?

All boat owners will know the worry of leaving your vessel unattended. Even in secure and safe marinas, issues such as electrical failures, drained batteries, water intrusion or fire could occur. 

Smart monitoring devices and systems can give you peace of mind by providing you with information about your vessel even when you are not near it.

A simple connected boating system for your yacht will usually include or have options for:

• Positional monitoring and alerts (GPS tracking)
• Bilge level alarms
• Smoke / fire alarms
• Battery level monitoring
• Tilt warnings
• Security / intruder alarms
• Temperature sensors
• Loss of shore power alarms

An even more advanced smart technology system may also offer:

• Remote controllability of some functions via phone app including:
  • Thermostat control
  • Ability to turn air conditioning and lights on or off
  • Remote engine start
• Collision alert warnings and automatic avoidance action
• Digital switches – control of main functions of vessel via touch screen
• Automated response to alarms – for example automatic temperature adjustments when senses indicate a change outside set parameters.

What Are the Benefits of Using Smart Systems on My Yacht?

People who love technology gadgets such as home hubs, smart watches and GPS in their vehicles will appreciate having similar devices on their boat.

Installing a system with the capabilities listed above, or buying a yacht which has pre-installed connectivity, brings many benefits, such as:

 

1. Remote monitoring: If your yacht is unattended most of the time, there are multiple benefits to remote monitoring systems. You can be alerted to early changes, such as a low battery or intake of water early, so you can take action before serious damage is caused or a day on the water is lost.
2. Control from anywhere on the boat: Use the phone app to monitor and control devices and switches from anywhere on your boat, so you don’t have to walk away from your fishing rod to check your fuel gauge.
3. Remote control: Imagine being able to turn the air conditioner on from your cell phone, so your cabin is already cool when you arrive. Imagine being able to double-check that all lights are off (preventing battery drain). Connected boating enables owners to easily interact with and maintain the daily workings of their boats and yachts.
4. Automatic adjustments: As the Internet of Things has developed, smart systems are now able to analyze the data they receive from your devices and systems. For example, the system can identify a problem, such as a drained battery, and automatically take action to solve it, by turning on the engine to recharge the battery. 
5. Reduced insurance costs: Although there is some initial cost to installing a smart system, which can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, some insurance companies offer reduced rates for connected boats. 
6. Save on maintenance and repairs: Being able to identify and solve issues before they get serious will save in repair bills over the yacht’s lifetime. Some smart systems are even able to monitor and advise when maintenance is required making sure you’re only doing what you need to.

Can I Install Smart Technology on My Yacht?

Although many brand-new yachts now come with smart technology built-in, or the option for it, you don’t have to buy a new boat to benefit from connected boating.

A number of companies are now providing systems, including base, sensors and even in-person monitoring, which you can link to via an app on a smartphone or tablet. These can be installed in any existing boat, even older ones, and you can start benefiting from the connection right away.

Experience Connected Boating with a Smart Yacht From Van Isle Marina

Interested in upgrading to a connected yacht, or installing a smart system to enable your current vessel to be connected? The yacht sales team at Van Isle Marina will be glad to help identify and locate the right solution for your needs.

With complimentary Wi-Fi throughout our Sidney, BC Marina for moored boats and guests, keeping your smart systems connected is easy. 

For more information on purchasing a connected boat