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- How to Sail to the USA From Canada – Know Before You Go
- Yacht Haul-Outs and Buying & Selling Your Boat – Fall Tips
- BC Fishing Regulations: 6 Things You Need to Know + NEW for 2026
- What to Look For in a Sport Fishing Boat For Ultimate Comfort
- How to Safely Dock & Refuel Your Boat at a Marina Fuel Dock
Buying a Pre-Owned Yacht
Sailing Essentials
Important Items to Bring on Your Boat Packing for a boating trip is not unlike packing for an airplane ride. It begins with creating a list, packing your bags, and then anxiously hoping you haven’t forgotten anything! If you’re new to boating, use our list below as a starting point, noting that the items you’ll […]
Baitcast vs Spincast vs Spinning Reels
Key Differences and Pros / Cons of Each Type of Fishing Reel In addition to the various types of fishing to choose from, there are also various types of rods and reels to choose from depending on what you’re trying to catch and where you’re trying to catch it. A reel is simply a mechanical […]
33 Different Styles of Fishing
33 Ways to Fish – from Angling to Trotlining When you find the fishing technique you prefer over all other styles, it’s quite easy to forget that other styles of fishing even exist! But at Van Isle Marina, we believe it’s never too late to try something new. If you’re new to the world of […]
Birdwatching from Your Boat
Common Seabirds of Vancouver Island As you cruise around Vancouver Island and the neighbouring Gulf Islands of Canada’s west coast, you won’t be able to ignore the diverse population of birds soaring above you or swimming beside your vessel. Vancouver Island is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with so many different types flocking to and from […]
What’s the Difference Between a Boat and a Yacht?
If you’re in the market for a new boat, you may be weighing your options between a powerboat, a yacht, or something else. But what’s the difference? To help you choose a craft that best suits your lifestyle and needs, this article is going to weigh the main differences between a boat and a yacht. […]
A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean a Fish While On Your Boat
It’s never the best part of the fishing experience, and it’s often a thankless task, but someone on board the boat has got to do it. We’re talking about cleaning your catch. Knowing how to clean a fish properly is something every fisherman should know how to do. It’s the first step in getting your […]
Boat Licence, Registration and Insurance
What Documentation Do I Need to Operate a Boat? One of the common questions we get from prospective boat and yacht owners is, “Do I need a licence to operate a boat?” The short answer is no, not in the spirit of having a driver’s licence, but you do need to demonstrate to the federal […]
Lures or Bait?
Lure or Live Bait? Understanding the Pros and Cons of Each When it comes to catching fish as quickly and effortlessly as possible, the question of which is better – artificial lures or real bait – depends on what you’re trying to catch and in what conditions you’re trying to catch it. Sometimes a lure is […]
ROAM – Clearing Customs by Boat
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency has announced the launch of a new streamlined, yet comprehensive way to clear customs for boaters travelling from Canada to the United States. ROAM (Reporting Offsite Arrival-Mobile) is an alternative method to the typical face-to-face customs clearing that most people are used to. Small pleasure craft arriving […]