Mischief Beyond Nakwakto Rapids

Leaving Allison Harbour in time to make the slack at Nakwakto. For more than 10 years, our 40-foot pilothouse trawler Mischief has been both our comfortable home-away-from-home and our magic carpet to new places. My wife…

Winter Hidey-Holes of the Salish Sea | Portland Island

With winter on the horizon, two things are bound to happen in the coming months in the Salish Sea: low pressure systems will sweep in off the Pacific Ocean bringing strong southerlies, and brisk northerlies will push down…

Transformation and Therapy for Veterans on the Sea

The author, relaxed at the helm of his Cooper 416 while cruising in British Columbia in early 2022. I find peace on the sea. As a Marine Corps veteran who served in Afghanistan, this is a special thing for me and something…

Alone on a SUP in the Arctic

Karl Krüger's 420-mile Arctic SUP route in 2022. She was surrounded by women. They all sat on the bench at the front of the community hall in the center of Paulatuk in the Inuvik region of Canada’s Northwest Territories. She…

#TBT: Ode to Autumn on the Salish Sea

In this Throwback Thursday from the September 2017 issue of 48° North, former columnist Becca Guillote revels in what makes fall so great in the PNW. It’s my favorite time of year in the Pacific Northwest. The days are…

Destinations: Pick Your Crossing to Haida Gwaii

Here's our latest destinations installment courtesy of SalishSeaPilot.com's Jim Burgoyne about choosing a window to  transit Hecate Strait toward Haida Gwaii. A promising sign over Kumealon Inlet as we await a break in the…

Sea Change: Becoming the Captain of My Boat

The author settled in behind Kagán’s helm. As first mate of our Island Packet 350, Kagán, there were times when I thought I could capably skipper the boat I’d cruised around the Pacific Northwest for years. It usually…

Baby On Board

The first time we took Vela to our J/40 Velella, she was just two-and-a-half weeks old. We pulled up to the Point Roberts border crossing. “Just the two of you?” the border officer asked. “And our daughter,” Ches said,…

Homeward Bound, Part 3:
Naha, Japan to Port Townsend

Irene’s route through Japan and across the North Pacific. Here's part three detailing the Niemann's voyage across the COVID-closed world to reach their home waters of the PNW. Read Part One, Turkey to Singapore and Part Two,…

48° North-Ullman Sails Rally Recap

A typical day of sailing during this year’s rally. Beautiful weather and new friends create cruising success Working our way along the northwestern shore of Orcas Island, I counted five boats with full sails enjoying the…