Fleet Meeting
The January Vancouver Fleet meeting brought together eight current and former BCA members who have been—or are currently—offshore. The group was enthusiastic, generous with their insights, and represented a wide range of offshore cruising experience.
Moderated by Dugg Steary, the meeting featured a lively panel discussion on key takeaways for preparing to go offshore, drawing on the real-world experience of “doers”: Bjarne Hansen and Barb Peck, Alex Kao, Rob Murray, Ken Robertson, Rhonda Schuller, Kristen Steary, and Sue Peck. With that depth of experience in the room, there was no shortage of knowledge or practical advice.
Dugg introduced five discussion topics to guide the conversation, but as anyone who has spent time in a room full of passionate sailors knows, the discussion quickly took on a life of its own. The discussion ranged from broader themes, such as the importance of a positive attitude and flexibility, to practical considerations including equipment choices, essential documentation, and strategies for managing fatigue on passage. Key takeaways from the discussion included:
- Don’t skip the shakedown.
- Be flexible—sail when conditions are right rather than to a rigid timetable.
- Share experiences with the community and cultivate memories.
- Avoid “must-have” expectations.
- Ken emphasized the value of a reliable self-steering system and reducing crew stress.
- Kristen highlighted the importance of preparing meals in advance, noting that logistics below deck can be challenging underway.
- Bjarne and others shared tips on bringing useful items to trade with local communities.
- Everyone emphasized the importance of gaining experience.
- Self-steering systems were generally preferred over autopilots.
- Maintain a well-organized inventory of parts and tools onboard, with a dependable way to locate what you need—this is especially important when under stress.
Several stories underscored the cost, inconvenience, and stress of arriving at a Mexican destination without a Temporary Import Permit (TIP). Members are encouraged to check out this related article [1] in Currents for more details.
The discussion also touched on topics that may not always appear on a departure checklist, including onboard security measures such as bear spray, pepper ball guns, and customized equipment to deter theft. Throughout the conversation, there was strong agreement on the importance of adaptability, community sharing, and—above all—enjoying the cruising experience.
A fitting closing thought came from Ken: “Keep it simple and go now.”
The next Fleet meeting will be held on February 25, with a focus on Offshore Insurance.
Weather Group
The Vancouver Fleet Weather Group held its third session of a five-part marine weather course on January 21, continuing to build on topics introduced earlier in the series.
This session focused on waves, swell, and sea state, as well as interpreting weather maps and charts. Sixteen participants logged in, and the evening followed a relaxed, highly interactive format. Activities included a review of homework, two half-hour presentations, and ample time for discussion, both as a full group and in breakout rooms. Engagement was strong throughout, with one dedicated member even staying up until 0100h (Caribbean time) to attend, something he has done for every session so far.
Weather is a vast subject and impossible to cover comprehensively in just a few hours. The goal of this session was to reinforce a solid understanding of the fundamentals, highlight what matters most for sailors, and encourage continued learning beyond the course.
The weather program is being led by Trina Holt, with three sessions still to come, including more hands-on activities to bring all the elements together. The final session is scheduled for April.
The next Weather meeting will be held February 18 on Zoom.