Boat Maintenance
Annual Hull Inspection Checklist for Canadian Boat Owners
What to examine before and after each season — from gelcoat condition and through-hull fittings to propeller shaft alignment.
Freshwater Boating in Canada
Practical reference for inland waterways, vessel upkeep, and seasonal boating
Covering boat maintenance schedules, storage preparation, safety equipment checklists, and route guidance for Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and beyond.
Recent Articles
What boaters in Canada are reading
Three in-depth pieces covering hull upkeep, Transport Canada safety requirements, and navigating the Trent–Severn Waterway.
Safety Equipment
Transport Canada Safety Equipment Requirements for Pleasure Craft
A breakdown of mandatory equipment by vessel length, from lifejackets and throwlines to flares, fire extinguishers, and sound signals.
Inland Waterways
Navigating the Trent–Severn Waterway: A Boater's Guide
Lock procedures, vessel size limits, seasonal schedules, and practical notes for transiting one of Canada's most-used recreational routes.
Seasonal storage extends hull life by years
How you store a fibreglass or aluminum hull over winter determines how much work you face in spring. Proper blocking, moisture control, and engine flushing are not optional steps.
Hull Maintenance DetailsThe Trent–Severn spans 386 kilometres and 45 locks
Understanding lockage procedures, water levels, and speed restrictions before you set out makes the transit safer and considerably less stressful for first-time boaters.
Read the Route GuideSafety Reference
Mandatory safety gear changes by vessel length
A 5.5-metre runabout and an 8-metre cruiser carry different legal obligations under Transport Canada's Small Vessel Regulations. The list is not long, but the consequences of non-compliance on the water can be serious.
Full Equipment Breakdown
Topic Overview
Three areas this resource covers
Vessel Upkeep
Engine servicing intervals, bilge maintenance, antifouling paint schedules, and pre-season commissioning procedures.
Seasonal Storage
Winterization steps for outboard and inboard motors, hull blocking methods, and shrink-wrap versus indoor storage.
Inland Waterways
Lock systems, no-wake zones, protected areas, and navigational chart reading for rivers and connected lake systems.
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