The Big Picture: Then and Now

Jan 31, 2024

Above: A Beneteau 1964 15-footer

Oceanis 34.1 in Dusseldorf. Photo: John Morris

Beneteau’s new Oceanis 34.1 made an appearance at a few of the Canadian shows. Shown here is a much admired, specially adorned version celebrating the company’s 140^th anniversary. That’s quite a history. While Beneteau only brought a couple of models to our Canadian shows, at the Dusseldorf “boot” show, there were dozens in their Oceanis, First, Jeanneau, and Lagoon lines plus more again in their many powerboat and superboat lines.

Quite a transition from building small fishing boats more than a century ago.

Pics & Letters

POTW: The Wedding Regatta

July 24, 2025 When two sailors get married in Toronto, you can bet the weekend starts with a regatta. Sarah Douglas (Olympian, Pan-Am winner and National Team member) and Lance Fraser (Canada Cup and many more) raced across the harbour with their sailing friends before throwing the ultimate island bash — steel drums, Caribbean bites,…

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Pics & Letters | Featured

Personal Page: Why Do We Enjoy Sailing So Much?

Keven’s son, Willem Piper July 10, 2025 By Keven Piper I really enjoy that moment when I sheet in the sails, the boat gently heels and it accelerates through the water with a splash and the burble of water and waves. Even in the lightest of breezes, the boat glides through the water, almost as…

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Pics & Letters

The Big Picture: Bermuda: Americans Tip

May 15, 2024 Before racing at the Bermuda SailGP even started the news came that the US SailGP Team would not be on the start line after the teams’ dramatic capsize in official practice racing. Data provided by the United States F50 defined the cause of the capsize as ‘user error’ – wing trimmer Victor…

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Pics & Letters

The Big Picture: Making Your Marks

May 1, 2024 Here’s the word from the crew at the Royal Hamilton YC: “Marks are almost ready to be dropped. We’re hoping to get them in before Tuesday’s first practice race. Work to be done tomorrow… mount them on the poles and add the lights!!! Great time of year!”

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Pics & Letters

The Big Picture: A PCYC Green Opti Sailor at his First Regatta

Apr 17, 2024 Port Credit YC has two important regattas coming this summer. To notify our audience that registration is now open, Organizer, Penny McLaren sent along some great pictures including this one, which she described, “Here are the promised photos. The first is my favourite – it’s a PCYC Green Opti sailor at his…

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Pics & Letters

The Big Picture: Broad Reach Sailor Kitchen Party Madness

Apr 3, 2024 130 Sailors put on their best kitchen party outfits and braved a surprise early spring blizzard and headed to Toronto’s Mimico Cruising Club for the traditional and now-annual-again Spring Thaw event. The sold-out occasion raised thousands for the Broad Reach Foundation, a national charity that helps less privileged youth to enjoy and…

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Sailing Shorts: Terry McLaughlin inducted into the J/105 Fleet 4 Hall of Fame

December 18, 2025 In early December, during the season awards party, Terry McLaughlin, silver medalist at the 1984 Olympic Games in Flying Dutchman and Canada Cup champ among other accomplishments, was inducted into the J/105 Fleet 4 Hall of Fame. A presentation and a speech from fellow hall of fame member, Michael Mountford, was appreciated… Read More…
2025 Youth Sailing World Championships

December 18, 2025 A total of 14 sailors are proudly representing Canada at the 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships held this week, December 15-19, in Vilamoura, Portugal. Over 400 of the best young sailors on the planet from up to 70 countries are descending on Vilamoura with medals up for grabs in 11 events across… Read More…