The area between Nanaimo and the northern tip of Vancouver Island is a large and amazing area that includes two major cruising destinations: Desolation Sound and “The Broughtons”. In addition, Northern Georgia Strait, the Discovery Islands, and Queen Charlotte Strait are also worthy destinations in and of themselves, and with some effort, can reward the […]

The West Coast of Vancouver Island offers some of the wildest, most remote cruising that the West Coast of BC has to offer. For sailors, it also offers 350 miles of potential downwind ocean sailing in short, manageable sections. For many Pacific Northwest sailors, this trip is serves as preparation for offshore sailing adventures. It […]

Results from survey information indicated many Cruisers College participants wanted more systems type courses. Most modern cruising vessels will have many systems aboard requiring inspection, care, and maintenance. Spend some time with ABYC Master Technician and systems instructor Michael Beemer who isn’t selling anything and will answer your questions from his 25+ years cruising in […]

Instructors: Mark Bunzel, Michael Beemer, and Lynette Brower Spend a day learning about some of the most magical and easily accessible cruising in our area! Longtime experts will teach you about clearing Canadian Customs, navigating through the Gulf Islands, selecting a weather window to cross the Strait of Georgia, where to go in Desolation Sound, […]

Description Join us for an in-depth look at your boat’s marine canvas and the role it serves in protecting your vessel and helping to ensure a safe and enjoyable time on the water. Topics will include, repair and maintenance of canvas, types of canvas work typically needed on cruising boats, design and construction considerations on […]

There are many new choices for generating and managing power on your boat – solar cells, fuel cells, high-output alternators and of course – a genset. Did you know a genset on your boat is the most expensive power you can buy? Our needs for power on our boats have became higher. Computers, tablets and […]

Being on the water is pure magic—especially in the Pacific Northwest! If you haven’t spent the time to explore our own backyard, this course is for you. This seminar, presented by Mark Bunzel, the editor of the Waggoner Cruising Guide, will give you planning routes and tips to make the most of your summer holiday. […]

There are so many excellent places to go in the NW, BC and SE Alaska – which do you choose? What do you need to know in order to plan an enjoyable cruise? The Editor of the Waggoner Cruising Guide, Mark Bunzel, will tell you their secrets on how you can put together an itinerary […]

Going on any passage can be the most satisfying and wonderful experience you may have on your boat, but every now and then bad things happen. Every cruiser faces some level of the “what if” that’s in the back of your head as you embark on a voyage. This course is designed to help you […]

This course will explore many new technologies in the marine marketplace during this 3 hour course. During the last five years there have been amazing advances in new technology for use on a boat. Waggoner Cruising Guide Editor Mark Bunzel will describe, demonstrate and show the full range of devices and the low-cost apps now […]