Boatguide Canada

Trolling for Trophies

By Craig Ritchie

Trolling – dragging a fishing lure behind a slowly moving boat – might just be the simplest way to catch fish ever. Make a long cast, drop the rod into a rod holder and gently slip the boat in gear – what could be easier? 

It seems simple enough. But dragging a lure behind the boat is one thing. Actually catching some fish that way is quite another. To catch fish by trolling, you need to drag your lure where the fish will see it. That means you need to know a thing or two about the places that fish call home...Read More

Using Flares

Not only are flares a mandatory safety device for your boat, but everybody onboard should know how to use one in the event of an emergency.
There are four types of flares approved by Transport Canada, categorized by the letters A, B, C and D. Some are handheld or thrown into the water, while others are fired into the sky. Regardless of which type of you keep on board, make sure you're familiar with the steps for firing them, as the procedure varies from one manufacturer to the next.

Handy Websites for Boaters

In this day and age we're bombarded with information. Trying to sort through it all can quickly turn into a tedious task. To save time researching or surfing, listed below is a handful of great websites that will help you access the information you require.

•    www.discoverboating.com
Managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), www.discoverboating.com incorporates an array of helpful features including Ask the Boating Guy, an area of the site where new or seasoned boaters can post questions that will be answered via email or a video clip, suggestions on great spots to cruise, plus a budget planner to find out exactly how much a boat will cost you per month.

Trailer Essentials

As Canada's boating season winds into high gear, take a moment and prepare an emergency kit that you can keep in your vehicle to deal with those little problems that occasionally arise on the way to, or home from, your favorite lake, river or sea. A small plastic bin works well to hold handy items, such as:

Duct tape
Electrical tape
Locking pliers
Needle-nose pliers
Screwdriver set
Socket set
Spare bulbs for trailer lights
Spare fuses for trailer lights
50 feet of spare insulated wire
Shrink tubing
Hammer
Adjustable wrench
Flashlight
Lighter
50 feet of half-inch nylon rope
20 foot tie-down strap
Small box with assorted stainless screws, nuts and bolts
Work gloves

In addition, you should also ensure you have a properly inflated spare tire for your trailer, along with the appropriate size of wheel nut wrench. Further, check to see if your truck jack is the correct height to work with the trailer. If it’s too low or too high, pack along a trailer jack as well. Having a spare tire means nothing if you can’t put it on!

Backing Up with a Trailer

Towing a boat is easy – the tricky part comes when you have to back up. If you’ve never tried backing up with a trailer in tow, it can seem a little intimidating, especially if your first few attempts don’t work out very well. It’s even worse at a busy launch ramp, when you’re eager to get out on the water and you’re holding up other boaters waiting in line.

Modern vehicles are pretty easy to drive. You turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the truck to go, and the truck follows along. Turn the wheel to the right, and the vehicle moves to the right. Turn the wheel to the left, and the vehicle moves to the left. It works the same whether you’re moving forward or traveling in reverse.

Fuel Saving Tips

Few things in life are certain, except death, taxes, and that the cost of boat gas will continue to rise. While pump prices are way below the levels we saw across Canada last summer, it still makes sense to do what you can to improve your boat’s fuel economy.

The best way to reduce fuel consumption is to slow down a little bit. Not too many boaters realize it, but by simply reducing the speed of your boat from full to two-thirds throttle, you can save up to 50 per cent in gas costs. Over a full season of fishing, that’s an awful lot of money.

New Life for Old Boats

By Craig Ritchie

As the host of a television fishing show, Gary Cooper is no stranger to logging a lot of time on the water. For the last 20 years, the amicable host of television’s Nice Fish has traveled all over the globe in search of the next trophy catch. Yet Cooper still shoots a lot of his shows close to home, and who can blame him? Being based in Victoria, BC, he has some of the best fishing in the world right at his doorstep.

As often as not, Cooper will tape his television shows from his 28-foot, 1976 Slickcraft. Its large, protected cabin keeps expensive camera gear safe from the elements while the open, clear stern gives Cooper and his guests plenty of room to fight big fish. “I really do love this boat,” he says with obvious pride. “This particular vessel was made in Ontario by Grew, under license to Slickcraft, and is one of only two that were ever completed. This one was purchased by the Ontario Provincial Police, who had it for a while, then sold it at auction to a gentleman from Kelowna, British Columbia. I subsequently bought it from him.”