Exploring Canada’s Waters with my MiniCat 520 Explorer & Remigo Electric Outboard

For years, I dreamed of spending more time outdoors, exploring the stunning lakes and coastlines of Canada. But between building a business and raising a family, time was scarce—and so was the boat I needed to make those dreams real. I didn’t even know if the kind of boat I was imagining existed.

I’d seen MiniCat boats before and loved the concept: small, portable catamarans that you could pack in your car and sail anywhere. But for the kind of adventures I had in mind—multi-day expeditions, remote anchorages, and real exploration—they seemed just a bit too small.

Then MiniCat announced something new: the MiniCat 520 Explorer. A larger, more robust model designed specifically for overnight trips, complete with an integrated waterproof tent called the Pod. I knew instantly—this was the boat I’d been waiting for.

I reached out to MiniCat right away and secured one of the very first production models, customized with the options I needed, and of course, the Pod. Since then, my MiniCat 520 Explorer has taken me on unforgettable journeys through the islands of the Georgia Strait and beyond.

As I started venturing further, I realized I needed a reliable way to manoeuvre in and out of marinas or docks when the wind dropped. I didn’t want the noise, fumes, or hassle of a traditional gasoline outboard. That’s when I discovered Remigo—an award-winning European company making sleek, powerful electric motors. Like MiniCat, they’re redefining what’s possible on the water.

I added the RemigoOne to my MiniCat setup, and it’s been a perfect pairing. Here’s what I shared with the MiniCat team:

“The RemigoOne has been the perfect pairing with my MiniCat 520 Explorer. Having spent much of the summer sailing in and amongst the islands of the Georgia Strait, the Remigo motor became an absolute essential addition to my M520 rig. Renowned for light winds through the summer months, Desolation Sound is also a paradise. Along with my addition of the MiniCat 520 Genna Sail, the Remigo got us through many legs of our trip with ease and reliability.It truly felt that at 3–4 notches on motor power (3–4 LED) it would run endlessly. We crossed 14 nautical miles under low power, and the charge had barely bumped. At full power, easy to get 4–5 knots, but the battery dropped quite quickly.
With the Remigo solar panel set up as we were underway, I could charge the battery as I was running it, which gave me peace of mind on longer trips. As with my MiniCat 520 Explorer, I am so impressed with this motor—lightweight, great power, so incredibly easy to use, and looks dynamite too.
I used the motor both as a rudder and straight power using the M520 rudder. Both scenarios work great, but I found I had better steerage in tighter spaces with the motor as rudder, in and out of marinas etc.
On later summer journeys I pulled an 8-foot dinghy behind us with our gear on to keep the trampoline clear of equipment, and the Remigo performed just incredibly.Outside of buying the MiniCat 520 Explorer, the Remigo was the absolute best purchase I’ve made. I will be buying another one soon for the dinghy/barge so I can venture to shore on evenings whenever I am anchored on the M520 Explorer.”

Two fantastic European innovations—MiniCat and Remigo—have transformed my sailing life. They’ve given me the freedom to explore Canada’s waters my way, with minimal impact on nature and maximum time with my family. If you’re dreaming of adventure, this setup delivers.

Find out more about Remigo >>>