I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! I can’t believe it’s been 10 months since I started Coastapus! It’s been an amazing experience to share my west coast boating life thoughts and tips with all of you. Thank you to all of you, and for your comments and social media shares. I look forward to continue sharing in 2018! The top 10 most popular posts this year: #1 Cougar Annie #2 Gifts for the Yachtie in Your Life #3 The Ultimate…
Shopping for a boater this holiday season? Here’s 15 great gift ideas that would make any yachtie happy. 1 – Hot Water Bottle Get it from Amazon A hot water bottle to preheat your you bed or to cozy up to is a must for winter cruising. 2 – Beer Sling Get if from Amazon Whether you’re taking the tender to shore to watch the sunset or going on a hike, the beer sling is a great way…
With the weather getting colder and the days shorter, November doesn’t always seem like the time to go cruising. Fall cruising is definetaly different than summer cruising, but regardless of the season their are aways options for boating trips! November offers a great little excuse to go boating. Your friends may be ingulfed in Christmas craft fairs, so why not make them jealous and do something out of the ordinary and go on a food and wine tour? Taste &…
Genoa Bay is a lovely little bay nestled in the north end of Cowichan Bay. Often overlooked as a great weekend destination, Genoa Bay is a great alternative to the Gulf Islands. Offering picturesque surroundings, Genoa Bay is a lovely cruising destination that offers the feel of a remote destination, while only being a nice day sail from Victoria. Dining at the Genoa Bay Cafe Take a break from cooking and enjoy lunch or dinner in their cozy cafe offering views…
Over the years when I’ve told people I’m going out on my boat for Thanksgiving, they give me a look like I’m crazy and that I’ll be having a subpar Thanksgiving. Festive dinners on the boat are no different than what people choose to do at home. Some people like rustic informal, some choose microwave meals, while others like formal, …why would people think just because you’re on a boat it would be any different? Whatever suits your style, a…
A few years back while anchored in Winter Cove off Saturna Island, we decided to take the tender out and venture over to Bennett Bay off Mayne Island. Bennett Bay is a lovely afternoon outing, it offers a long sandy beach for endless fun and a nice short trail to Campbell Point. Bennett Bay offers no dock, but the big sandy beach makes it very easy to take a tender ashore. Bennett Bay is part of the Gulf Island National…
I have to admit that while I enjoy crab, I’m not one of those people where dinner can consist of a whole crab on my plate paired with a bowl of melted butter. I enjoy crab meat in things, but not a dinner of crab with a side of butter. As a boater I sometimes get weird looks from people when they hear this as I seem to be a minority! This past week I stumbled onto a recipe for…
The days may be shorter and the mornings may be dewy, but there is still fantastic fall cruising to be done. Over the next month there are four great cruising destinations. Yes, three of the options may be on Salt Spring Island, but if you’re someone who likes to escape the summer crowds fall cruising can be ideal. Here’s four great options for cruising ideas this fall. Fall Fair – September 16 to September 17 The Salt Spring Island…
British Columbia’s west coast offers endless places to explore by boat. From the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, and the Broughton’s, to Nootka Sound and Quatsino Sound, there are endless options for your boating adventures! Amongst all these fantastic options is lesser known Hesquiat Harbour in Clayoquot Sound. Hesquiat Harbour was the home of Ada Annie Rae-Arthur, better know as Cougar Annie (June 19, 1888 to April 28, 1985). Cougar Annie was a pioneer who settled on a remote homestead in…
I love morning coffee time. That quiet part of the day where you can just sit almost cuddling your coffee, pondering your thoughts for the day. The only thing that can make morning coffee time better is fresh baking! While I do love baking from scratch on the boat, there is definitely a time and place for cheater baking. The other year I discovered frozen cinnamon buns and croissants at Country Grocery. Always on the hunt for something new to try…