Upcoming
Winterizing Your Boat
- Date: Sunday September 21, 2025
- Time: 0900 - 1230
- Location: The Rigging Shoppe. 44 Midwest Road, Scarborough
- Fee: $10
This introduction to winterizing is a half day seminar designed to help you get your boat ready for winter hibernation.Whether you are new to boat ownership, deciding to tackle this project yourself this year or just have some questions about how you have been doing your winterizing, this seminar can help.
Not sure if your boat needs a “pro” or if you can do it yourself? This seminar should help answer that question in simple terms.
Diane has been winterizing boats for 25 years and is ready to share her practical “how to” to help you get you on the path to success.
- Winterizing your engine
- Winterizing your plumbing
- Safe guarding against mold and damp
- Pros and cons of shrinkwrapping
- Battery maintenance
How To Check Your Rig
- Date: Sunday September 28, 2025
- Time: 1000-1130
- Location: The Rigging Shoppe. 44 Midwest Road, Scarborough
- Fee: $10
Ever wonder how to check all the lines, standing rigging and fittings that give your mast strength and integrity. This seminar will cover simple ways to check your rig at the end of the season before tucking it away for the winter.
Make sure your rig is going to be strong for the next season or get it in for service before it's too late.The Rigging Shoppe have been the experts in the field for over 50 years.
Diane Reid will walk you through the process to give you piece of mind that your rig will be good for another season or give you a heads up that a little service work is needed before time runs out.
Antifouling & Topside Coatings Seminar
- Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
- Time: 1300-1630
- Location: The Rigging Shoppe. 44 Midwest Road, Scarborough
- Presenter: Mike MacDonald
- Fee: $10
Much has changed in the world of antifouling and topside finish paints in the last couple of years. VC17 has disappeared due to environmental reasons.
We will discuss the options available in the Interlux line of bottom paints. As well the Brightside finish paint for topsides as been replaced with the new Toplac finish paint.
During the presentation we will discuss both of these products along with Interprotect and other related products for barrier coats to protect your boat under the waterline from osmosis damage.
Attendees will have the opportunity to win their Interlux purchases on this day. The presenter of this seminar is Rigging Shoppe staff member Mike Macdonald.
Basic Coastal Navigation Course
- Date: November 2, 9, 16, 23. 30, Dec 7 (test day), 14 (test review)
- Time: 0900 - 1200
- Location: Rigging Shoppe. 44 Midwest Road, Scarborough
- Fee: $550 + taxes (includes charts, plotting equipment, and testing fees)
Join our Sail Canada Basic Navigation course and learn all the essential skills to confidently navigate your next adventure. This course includes hands-on practice with a paper chart, plotting protractor, and dividers.
Upon passing the final exam, you will receive a Sail Canada certification, which is a prerequisite for the Intermediate Cruising course.
Past Courses & Seminars
Interlux Antifouling/Topside Paint Application
- Date: Saturday, February 22
- Time: 1:00pm - 4:30pm
- Location: Rigging Shoppe. 44 Midwest Road, Scarborough
- Fee: $10.00
Much has changed in the world of antifouling and topside finish paints in the last couple of years. VC17 has disappeared due to environmental reasons. We will discuss the options available in the Interlux line of bottom paints. As well the Brightside finish paint for topsides as been replaced with the new Toplac finish paint.
During the presentation we will discuss both of these products along with Interprotect and other related products for barrier coats to protect your boat under the waterline from osmosis damage.
Attendees will have the opportunity to win their Interlux purchases on this day. The presenter of this seminar is Rigging Shoppe staff member Mike Macdonald.
Solar & Lithium Power For Your Boat
- Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
- Time: 1pm - 4pm
- Location: The Rigging Shoppe, 44 Midwest Road, Scarborough
- Registration: Seating is limited and the subject is of broad interest to all boaters, sail or power
- Presented by: Peter Van Tienen of Marine Solar Innovations
- Fee: $25 / person plus applicable taxes
Solar: The Freedom of Endless Power
Adding a solar power system to your boat can reduce or eliminate the need for a generator—saving you money and reducing pollution on our waterways. This workshop covers:
• Panel Choices: Rigid vs. semi-flexible
• Charge Controllers: Maximizing efficiency
• System Capacity: Powering all onboard functions
• Wiring Options: Series vs. parallel connections
• Installation Tips: Minimizing cable runs
Lithium Power for Your Boat
Lithium batteries are now an affordable, practical choice for boaters. They offer many benefits over traditional lead-acid or AGM batteries. Topics include:
• Battery Anatomy: Understanding lithium technology
• Weight & Efficiency: Lighter and faster-charging
• Charge Cycles & Depth of Discharge: Longer-lasting power
• System Design & Maintenance: Getting the most out of your setup
Splicing Seminar
- Dates: March 22, 2025
- Time: 1300 - 1600
- Location: The Rigging Shoppe
- Registration Fee: $50/person
Connect with a classic tradition! Learn how to do a:
- The 3 strand eye splice for your dock lines
- Double braid eye splice for your halyards and sheets
This two-splice workshop includes: 1splicing tool, the line to splice, a handout for the steps to complete the splice and all the guidance you can imagine from Rigging Shoppe owner Diane Reid. Diane will guide you through the step-by-step instructions on how to complete these two essential splices, and give you tips and tricks along the way.
Please bring a sharp knife or scissors and any other gadgets you may have already acquired for splicing.
VHF Marine Radio Course
Dates:
Saturdays, November 2, 9 2024
Time: 1400 - 1800
Fees:
$215 each plus taxes, includes testing session
Welcome to the world of using your VHF radio on your boat. This course will lead you through learning how to send and receive radio calls, calling a Mayday, trouble shooting your transmissions and ultimately prepare you for the written test.
Successful completion of the test leads to certification of your Radio Operator Certificate Marine – Digital Selective Calling. This is the certification you are required to have by law in Canada to use the VHF radio on your boat.