Vancouver Island Marine Surveying Blog

  Having additional measurements add to your ORC club certificate or obtaining an ORC International certificate can in many cases improve your outcome on the race course. The first step is to visit the ORC – Canada website and submit your application. Once this is done a measurer will confirm with you the date and time to conduct all your measurements.   You will require a crew of at least 3-4 depending on vessel size in order to support the measurer.   An ORCi certificate isn't just a piece of paper; it makes our local racing as fair as possible.   ORC Canada has dedicated and well qualified staff to support competition in BC and across Canada. To get the most accurate rating possible, the boat must be in its "purest" form. If the measurer arrives up and your boat is still full of half-eaten sandwiches and soggy dock lines, it will be a long day. 1. The "Light Ship" Standard The most common mistake owners make is failing to reach Measurement Tri...

Hull inspections frequently center on the integrity of underwater penetrations. The choice between traditional alloys and modern fiber-reinforced composites is a decision that impacts not only the vessel's maintenance schedule but its long-term structural security. The marine industry has seen a shift from the historical dominance of bronze to high-performance polymers. Below is a comparison to assist owners in making an informed decision when replacing their boats thru-hulls. Fiber-Reinforced Composite (Nylon/Polymer) Modern composite fittings, such as those manufactured from glass-reinforced nylon (e.g., Marelon or TruDesign), have gained widespread acceptance in both recreational and commercial sectors. Key Advantages: Electrolytic Neutrality: Being non-metallic, these fittings are immune to galvanic corrosion and electrolysis. This eliminates the need for bonding to the vessel's sacrificial anode system. Weight Efficiency: Composite assemblies are significantly lighter th...