Sorry I have been MIA. Life happened ;-) Found a fuel leak on the boat, then had a bunch of courses to teach, and then a much-needed family vacation. I am back now though and looking forward to bringing you more episodes! All the best, P

Coming soon!

Today we are looking at the 4 approved types of flares in Canada: A) Parachute Flare B) Multi-Star Flare C) Hand-Held Flare D) Smoke Flare Remember that these are approved for 4 years from the manufacture date!

This week I am chatting about keel types: - Full Keel - Fin Keel -- bulb keel & wing keel - Bilge Keel Why would you select a certain keel, drawbacks and advantages of each, and maintenance... Show notes available at sailnelson.com/podcast!

This week we are having a chat about boom vangs. I am often surprised at how many of my students purchase boats that do not have on rigged up! They are an essential part of trimming your sail and can be key when sailing in heavy weather. Some of the marine stores will have boom vang kits that you can purchase, so it is ready to be attached at the base of the mast and up on your boom quickly. Easy to rig up and will help you sail more efficiently. Here are some useful links for...

So this week we are talking about different types of shackles and their common uses. Also, what to look for when they start to wear down... - screw pin shackle - keyhole shackle - snap shackle - soft shackle Here are some useful links for you… Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/sailnelsonbc/⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/penny717⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/sailnelson2

Today I am talking about spring maintenance! And yes, it is a LONG list! Here are some of the things I'll be sharing: - engine checks - standing rigging checks - running rigging checks - sail check - safety gear checks And much more! Head on over to sailnelson.com to join my email list so you don't miss any freebies and the spring checklist!

This week I am discussing cleats! What are they, where to find them, which ones to upgrade, etc. I talk about: - Horn Cleats - Cam Cleats - Clam Cleats - Jam Cleats - Clutches Here are some useful links for you… Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/sailnelsonbc/⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/penny717⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/sailnelson2

Today I am talking all about blocks! What the heck is a block you say? It is a pulley, in sailing lingo ;-) There are many types and I'll walk you through them all! Enjoy! Remember to like, share and follow this podcast so you never miss an episode! Here are some useful links for you… Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailnelsonbc/ Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/penny717 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sailnelson2

Kinda appropriate that this is my 50th episode! Talking about when I brought Spindrift to Nelson and the ceremony I performed to greet her. Here are the specific descriptions you'll need: - Boat Purging Ceremony: “Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, I implore you in your graciousness to expunge for all time from your records and recollection the name (mention the old boat name), which has...

Today I am talking all about winches! These are the winches that we use for our sheets and halyards on a sailboat though. I will do a different episode to focus on the anchor windlass system. Enjoy! Remember to like, share and follow this podcast so you never miss an episode! Here are some useful links for you… Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailnelsonbc/ Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/penny717 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sailnelson2

Coming soon!

I am starting something new with Technical Tuesdays! There are SO many items on our boats that need a little bit extra info... hence the Technical Tuesdays where I plan on bringing you quite, and essential, information to help you make informed decisions. This week I am talking about lines. What type to purchase for halyards, sheets, dock lines, anchor lines, cunningham, boom vang.... so many lines! Enjoy! Penny Here are some useful links for you… Instagram:...

Coming soon!

Alright, we have all been there! You're heading into the dock, speed is great, wind is great, crew are ready,... suddenly a boat starts leaving their slip right in front of you, your crew move aft to tell you only to drop the boat hook in the water, your other crew tries to grab the boat hook and drops the roving fender, and everyone on shore is watching. Yup. We have ALL been there! The lovely trials of docking... Docking Equipment The basic equipment that you need for docking is not...

A few more notes about anchoring... show notes coming soon! 

There is something magical about spending a nice, quiet, night at anchor! When we were in Croatia, it was a blessing to be able to get away from all of the other tourists for some quiet R&R! Anchoring is a pretty simple thing once you master some basic steps. Here I will break it all down for you and provide you with some of my pro tips! Enjoy! Don't forget to send me any questions! Other episodes to check out: EP 16: Sailing Goals – Liveaboard Sailing EP 28: How to be a prepared...

This week I am talking all about being a good boating neighbour! How to be a safe, and non-jerky, boater! There are a few unwritten rules to keep in mind about boating and how others expect you to conduct yourself while on the water. At the marina be aware of any marina rules around parking, washroom/shower use, boat launch access, etc. return any carts to their location after use take all garbage and recycling with you when you leave make sure you are using the right slip keep shore...

Alright winter sucks for us northern sailors! True, I am lucky that my boat is in the water, but it's cold! I haven't sailed in months and I'm going through withdrawal! So, I thought I would let you in on my "happy list". The list of things that I do throughout the winter to keep me looking forward to next season and making sure I'm ready to make the most of it! Enjoy! Other episodes you may enjoy: EP 9: My Top 8 Sailing Books EP 7: Day Trip Planning: Things to Consider EP 19: Which...

This week we are talking about safety (no surprise there!), but more specifically Personal Floatation Devices, Life Jackets and Tethers! What are they? What are the differences? Which one should you purchase? Where do you purchase them? When do you replace them? So many questions! Other episodes you may like: EP 3: Safety First! What Safety Gear do you Need? EP 14: Sailing Goals – Day Sailing EP 27: How to be a prepared sailing crew Support me on Patreon! Sign Up for the Podcast! Head...

This week I am giving you a sneak peak into some of the things I do during the off-season to keep my skills sharp and to get ready for next season. There is personal growth, professional growth, reviewing, renewing, and lots going on! This is pretty typical for me as a "what to do this year" plan. Other podcast episode you may like: EP 4: Off-Season Training: What can I do during the off-season? EP 7: Day Trip Planning: Things to Consider EP 28: How to be a prepared skipper Why do I...

Well it is boat show season! This means freebies, great deals, new products, drool-worthy boats, and so much more! This week I'm providing you with my tips on how to make the most of your visit! Other episodes you may be interested in: EP 14: Sailing Goals – Day Sailing EP 19: Which Sailing Course Do I Take? EP 27: How to be a prepared sailing crew Top Tips for Boat Shows 1. Dress appropriately: comfortable shoes, not too many layers, are backpacks allowed? Research: figure out...

This week we are talking about boat ownership! My Spindrift was an unexpected "gift" from my grandfather. I was not boat shopping and was not planning to have a large boat out here in Nelson. However, when he decided he wanted to pass the boat along, I could not pass it up! In the end, there are things I wish I had known before getting Spindrift and I may have done a few things differently... Other episodes related to this one: EP 4: Off-Season Training: What can I do during the...

This week I am talking about how to become Penny! LOL. I get asked this question A LOT. As in, how did I become an instructor, how do I get to sail offshore, how do I get people to pay me to teach them, etc. So many questions about my sailing path, so here it is! Where it all started... I am one of the lucky ones. I started my sailing journey (apparently) at about a year old when I was tucked under my grandfather's arm and shot off into the St Lawrence River on our laser. There are...

Boating with kids is so rewarding and fun! Here are some things to think about... Safety first! Not only should you have all of the required and recommended Transport Canada safety gear on your boat, but everyone on board should know how to use it! If you are incapacitated somehow it is important for others on the boat to know what to do and where to locate things. Make a list and diagram of the safety gear on your boat and put it up for all to see. Better yet, have your kids do a scavenger...