Checking your engines and fuel systems is an important step in your spring maintenance.  Following these tips will help to ensure that your boat is ready for cruising.

• Inspect fuel lines, including fill and vent hoses, for softness, brittleness or cracking
• Check all joints for leaks and make sure all lines are well supported with non-combustible clips or straps with smooth edges
• Inspect cooling hoses and fittings for stiffness, rot, leaks and/or cracking.  Make sure they fit snugly and are double-clamped
• Every few years, remove and inspect exhaust manifold for corrosion
• Clean and tighten electrical connections, especially both ends of battery cables.  Wire-brush battery terminals and fill cells with distilled water
• Inspect bilge blower hose for leaks

Please consult your boat’s operating manual before conducting any suggested actions.

Other useful sites that provide complete Spring Checklists:

• Discover Boating’s Spring Start-up Checklist
• Boatsafe.com Pre-Season Checklist

If you require any assistance in your spring maintenance, please contact our Marina Services Representatives.  Our Yacht Park is also available for half and full haul-outs and is a full and self service yard.  Our Haul-out Video is an excellent introduction to the haul-out process and is available for viewing.

We live in such a beautiful location with islands galore to explore right at our doorstep.  So why take the chance of postponing your boating season by not performing a Spring Checklist?  Below are a few helpful tips:

Water System

• Flush Tank
• Check water system and pump for leaks and proper operation
• Check hot water tank is working on both AC and engines
• Check for tank cap keys on board
• Check and clean shower sump pump screens

Head System

• Check for smooth operation – lubricate and clean as necessary
• If equipped with treatment system, have chemicals on hand
• Y-valve operation checked, valve labeled & secured

Please consult your boat’s operating manual before conducting any suggested actions.

Other useful sites that provide complete Spring Checklists:

• Discover Boating’s Spring Start-up Checklist
• Boatsafe.com Pre-Season Checklist

Van Isle Marina’s Yacht Park is available to help you with any springtime preparation you may require.  Our Brownell submersible trailer can haul-out up to 70ft vessels.  You can book a full or half haul-out depending on your needs.  Half Haul-outs are convenient for inspections and marine surveys.   Our Haul-out Video is an excellent introduction to the haul-out process and is available for viewing.

Please contact our Marina Services Representatives to book your appointment today at 250-656-1138.

It is recommended to perform a Spring Checklist every year to ensure your boating season will not be delayed due to issues and problems that could have been avoided.  By following a checklist, you can get back onto the water faster with less hassle.  Below are some helpful tips to perform when checking your hull:

• Check the hull for abrasions, scratches, gouges, etc. and repair if needed
• Check and replace zincs
• Check for blisters and refinish if necessary
• Check rub rails
• Check swim platforms and ladders
• Inspect and test trim tabs
• Check shaft, cutlass bearing, strut, and prop
• Check rudder and fittings
• Touch up or replace antifouling paint

Please consult your boat’s operating manual before conducting any suggested actions.

Van Isle Marina’s Yacht Park is available to help you with any springtime preparation you may require.  Our Brownell submersible trailer can haul-out up to 70ft vessels.  You can book a full or half haul-out depending on your needs.  Half Haul-outs are convenient for inspections and marine surveys.   Our Haul-out Video is an excellent introduction to the haul-out process and is available for viewing.

Please contact our Marina Services Representatives to book your appointment today at 250-656-1138.

Click to view Haul-out Video

Van Isle Marina is very pleased to introduce the Yacht Park Haul-out Video!  This video takes you through the haul-out process using the 45 Ton self-propelled submersible trailer.  Vessels are hauled out from our new Service Ramp where there is 200 ft of dedicated service dock space.  The trailer can accommodate vessels up to 70 ft in length.

Watch this video to see the excellent care your boat will receive when booking with Van Isle Marina.

See our Yacht Park Rates for further details.

Spring is quickly approaching and that means it is time to start thinking about preparing your boat for the season.  A springtime boating preparation checklist will help to ensure your protection and safety on the water.  It will also ensure your boating season isn’t delayed by unexpected problems that could have been prevented.  A very important step in springtime preparation is checking safety equipment.  Below are a few helpful tips:

• Check that all onboard fire extinguishers are the correct class for your vessel and that they have been serviced recently
• Check stanchion, pulpits and lifelines for integrity
• Check swim platforms and ladders for integrity
• Check dinghy and life raft
• Ensure adequate number of life vests available
• Service life vests if needed
• Check and restock first aid kits

Please consult your boat’s operating manual before conducting any suggested actions.

Other useful sites for springtime preparation tips:

• Discover Boating’s Spring Start-up Checklist
• Boatsafe.com Pre-Season Checklist

Van Isle Marina’s Yacht Park is available to help you with any springtime preparation you may require.  Our Brownell submersible trailer can haul-out up to 70ft vessels.  Contact our Marina Services Representatives to book your appointment today at 250-656-1138.

We are fortunate to be located in a place where boating can be a year-round activity.  However, it is still important to winterize your boat for the season.  Throughout the year, blisters, cracks, barnacles and other sea growth can build up on the hull and it needs special attention during the winterizing process.

Here are some helpful tips for winterizing the hull:

• Haul-out your boat and pressure wash the hull
• Clean off the barnacles and sea growth from props and shafts, struts and trim tabs
• Check for stress cracks, blisters and other damage
• Drain blisters and patch with appropriate filler
• For serious damage, consult a professional
• If aluminum hull, bang out dents with rubber mallet
• Treat the hull with a 3M Marine Ultra Performance Paste Wax
• Open seacocks to allow water to drain
• Use a proper boat cover to protect from cold temperature damage

Please consult your boat’s operating manual before conducting any suggested actions.

Other useful sites for winterizing tips:

• West Marine’s Winterizing Your Boat: 5 Step Process YouTube videos
• Discover Boating’s Winterizing Tips
• Popular Mechanics’ How to Winterize Your Boat

Van Isle Marina’s Yacht Park is also available to help you winterize your boat this season. Our Brownell submersible trailer can haul-out up to 70ft vessels. Contact our Marina Services Representatives to book your appointment today at 250-656-1138.

When winterizing your boat, it is important to not only winterize the exterior and engines, but also to winterize the interior.  You don’t want to return to your boat in the Spring to find a forest of mildew and other bacteria growing inside.

Here are some helpful tips for winterizing the interior:

• Remove all electronics, valuables, fire extinguishers, PFDs, etc.  The cold and dampness in the air can cause problems for some of these items and it is also an excellent time to have them cleaned and checked.
• Place all cushions in an upright position to help with air flow.  Or better yet, bring them home so that they are in a controlled climate over the winter months.
• Clean the fridge and freezer, turn them off and leave the doors open during the winter months.
• Clean the washrooms and drain the sinks and showers.
• To prevent moisture in the air, install a dehumidifier or use odor and moisture absorbing products.
• Place electric Air Dryers or fans to assist in creating air movement which will diminish the potential for mold and mildew.

Please consult your boat’s operating manual before conducting any suggested actions.

Other useful Sites for winterizing tips:

• West Marine’s Winterizing Your Boat: 5 Step Process YouTube videos
• Discover Boating’s Winterizing Tips
• Popular Mechanics’ How to Winterize Your Boat

Van Isle Marina’s Yacht Park is also available to help you winterize your boat this season. Our Brownell submersible trailer can haul-out up to 70ft vessels. Contact our Marina Services Representatives to book your appointment today at 250-656-1138.

Properly treating your fuel system is an important step in winterizing your boat for the season.  Fill your tanks leaving as little room as possible.  Once full, treat the fuel with a biocide (for diesels) or a stabilizer (for all engines) and run the engine for 10 minutes to circulate the fuel throughout.  This will protect the fuel from breaking down during the winter months and clogging the engine. (Please consult your boat’s operating manual before conducting any suggested actions.)

Visit Van Isle Marina’s Fuel Dock to take advantage of our Volume Fuel Discount Program which will save you money when topping up your tanks.

Other useful sites for winterizing tips:

• West Marine’s Winterizing Your Boat: 5 Step Process YouTube videos
• Discover Boating’s Winterizing Tips
• Popular Mechanics’ How to Winterize Your Boat

Van Isle Marina’s Yacht Park is also available to help you winterize your boat this season.  Our Brownell submersible trailer can haul-out up to 70ft vessels.  Contact our Marina Services Representatives to book your appointment today at 250-656-1138.

Winter is closely approaching and it’s time to think about winterizing your boat for the season.  Winterizing your boat is a very important process that runs from bow to transom and helps protect your boat from hull degradation and blistering, from the hull deteriorating under algae and barnacles, from your engine hoses cracking, wires corroding and your engines and tanks from water damage.  By protecting your boat during the winter, you save yourself the hassle and cost of repairs and replacement parts in the spring.

Van Isle Marina’s new Yacht Park has services available to help winterize your boat whether you store it in our yacht park over the winter or put it back in its slip at our docks.  Ask our Marina Services Representatives for an appointment to have your boat hauled out and winterized for the season.  Our new Yacht Park and 45 ton submersible Brownell Trailer can haul-out and accommodate up to 70 ft vessels.  Please visit our Marina Rates and Services for further details and contact our Marina Services Representatives for assistance in protecting your boat this winter.

Please visit Discover Boating and Popular Mechanics for excellent detailed lists for winterizing your boat.

View the YouTube videos titled Winterizing Your Boat: the 5 Step Process by West Marine for detailed visual instructions:

• Introduction to the 5 Step Process
• Step 1: Cleaning Your Boat
• Step 2: The Engine and Lower Unit
• Step 3: Freshwater and Waste Systems
• Step 4: Cabin and Interior
• Step 5: Final Inspection and Proper Covering