Vancouver Chapter

Marilyn Sanford

What a great start to the Fleet of 2026! The energy in the room was palpable, with 17 participants attending in person and another five joining via Zoom. This marked Vancouver Fleet’s first hybrid meeting—and the first in-person Fleet gathering since the shift to COVID-inspired online sessions. Being together again brought a welcome sense of […]

Marilyn Sanford

As the Bluewater Cruising Association launches its 2026 Fleets, it’s a great time to welcome both returning and new members of the Vancouver Fleet. Our mission remains as it has for decades: to build knowledge, share experiences, and foster community among sailors who plan to cruise locally and offshore. But this year, there are a […]

Nancy Carlman

After strong contrary winds prevented the originally planned ceremony to release Stephen’s ashes at sea last August 12—Stephen Carlman’s 82nd birthday—his ashes were finally committed to the ocean on Thursday, August 21, in a voyage of remembrance and ritual. Chris Boulsbee, his wife Marilyn, and I motored Kingfisher, their Fisher 30-foot pilothouse sailboat, from Gabriola […]

Marilyn Sanford

Every year Cameron McLean ends the Annual Vancouver Fleet with a Potluck & BBQ; pre-COVID, the BBQs were held in their home, and after COVID, at Spruce Harbour Marina in False Creek. This year was no exception. Well, almost. It was different in one way: the 2024/25 Fleet Season was Cam’s last year as ‘Captain’ […]

Cameron McLean, Vancouver Fleet Coordinator

There were 14 participants at the April Vancouver Fleet meeting. Show and Tell featured a visual by Kit on the importance of checking and changing anodes in the raw water system, while Jud offered points on the usefulness of a hard dodger and the process and complications of building one. Lisa MacDonald described the PredictWind […]

Cameron McLean, Vancouver Fleet Coordinator

The Vancouver Fleet group met online on March 25.  The group welcomed new member Liam Quinlan and enjoyed a chat with BCA do-ers Alex Kao and Heather Batchelor aboard Inscrutable, at anchor in Hilo, Hawaii. Alex recommends the app No Foreign Land for cruisers. Members Allan Berry and Cindy Wang head to Alaska in April […]

Cameron McLean, Vancouver Fleet Coordinator

The Vancouver Fleet met online on February 25 with 10 attendees. Show and Tell: Glen  Wilson shared his insights on an anchor system David Farrow noted that there was a great video on anchoring. Presentation: The Fleet had a great ‘Safety at Sea’ presentation given by long-time sailor Janet McKeown MD, covering remedies and solutions […]

Cameron McLean, Vancouver Fleet Coordinator

The Vancouver Fleet group met online on Tuesday, January 28. The meeting opened with the introduction of a new member, and a show and tell presentation of an ACR personal location beacon. The PLB is one safety alternative to EPIRBs. Committee reports included the Program Committee announcing a medical safety at sea presentation in February […]

Cameron McLean, Vancouver Fleet Coordinator

The Vancouver Fleet Christmas/Solstice potluck dinner was a great success. There were eight Fleet members there, several members of the Watch and a number of doners, many of whom made encouraging comments sharing their good experiences as former Fleet members. Representing a bit of Fleet potluck history was a visit from Santa – Dale Gebhard.

Sixteen people attended November meeting of the joint Vancouver, VI and Calgary Fleets which focused on heavy weather sailing. Presenter Ken Gillstrom did an exceptional presentation, with value for both the beginner and the advanced offshore sailor. Ken has deep experience and a good mind for detail. If you are looking for an offshore experience, […]

Cameron McLean, Vancouver Fleet Coordinator

The Vancouver Fleet meeting on October 29 started with Rob Murray’s 5 minute power point presentation on OpenCPN and MBTiles and continued with Preparing Your Boat and Yourselves for Offshore featuring Gio and Julie Capelli, owners of Pelagic Blue Cruising Services. The next meeting will be a Zoom meeting at 1930h on Tuesday, November 26, […]

Cameron McLean, Vancouver Fleet Coordinator

The September meeting of the Vancouver Fleet of 2024-25 on September 24 was a Zoom meeting. The program was a presentation from Heather Marshall. From Oops to Ouch: a Cascade of Calamities On May 17, Heather, while single handing in heavy wind, tore a foresail, wrapped a sheet around her propeller, overfilled her engine oil, almost […]