Editor’s Letter: Cheers to the New Year and the Hardy Among Us
As we turn the page into 2025, I’m inspired by hardiness. On the waters of the Salish Sea and the Inside Passage, among Pacific Northwest boat-folk near and far, there is so much to be impressed by, to honor, and from which…
Let it Blow!
To the tune of “Let it Snow” (verse) Oh, the weather outside’s delightful And my boss is “ugh” so spiteful, And since the boat’s rigged to go, Let it blow, let it blow, let it blow. (verse) The barometer’s quickly dropping,…
Editor’s Letter: Yes, And…
In acting and improv, there’s a principle known as “Yes, and...” The point is to affirm another actor’s perspective and/or portrayal as truth, and build the scene from there in light of their reality; recognizing that the…
#TBT Ed Letter: Thankful for Sailing Mentors and Friends
This week of bounty and gratitude seemed like a good time to revisit a November editorial from a few years back. Happy Thanksgiving from the 48° North crew, we're thankful for you! Since I first got my hands on a tiller and…
The Destination Wedding Principle Revisited
On the eve of what is arguably the region’s consensus favorite sailboat race, Round the County, I’m updating an almost-10-year-old editorial exploring why I (and so many other sailors) point to this event as the highlight of…
Great Racing and J/24 Western Regional at PSSC
Corinthian Yacht Club (CYC) of Seattle’s autumn celebration of boat racing fun for small boats is typically an October affair, but with the club hosting the Beechers Handmade Cheese Seattle J/24 World Championship Regatta…
48° North Cruising Rally 2024
A gentle puff filled our sails, and we scooted ahead with a couple of golden knots of boat speed. Nice. Then we hit a velocity header and began our current-swept reverse track back in the direction of Buckeye Shoal off the…
Editor’s Letter: 10 Years!
The first publication I was involved with at 48° North was September 2014. Check my math, but that means that when this magazine goes to press, it will round a decade at the helm of 48° North, and it coincides with the…
Seattle’s Newest Circumnavigator: David Linger (Part Two)
Last month, we introduced the 48° North community to Seattle sailor David Linger. Dave’s recent completion of a singlehanded circumnavigation as a part of the Global Solo Challenge (GSC)—which he completed in 175 days…
Editor’s Letter: On Bringing Up Sailors
One of the mistakes parents, like me, make these days is to overinflate our perception of influence with our children and their interests. As boat folk, deeply held hopes that our children will love time on the water can…