Cruising the North Coast Wilderness
The North Coast of British Columbia is the area between the northern end of Vancouver Island, Cape Caution on the mainland side, and the Alaska border. It’s a land of wild beauty, from the fjords reaching deep into the…
West Coast Hoppin’
The intricacies and rewards of sailing down the coast Before dawn on a cool morning in late August, we slipped the dock lines and motored out of Elliott Bay Marina to join the Coho Ho Ho fleet on a voyage down the Pacific…
Winter Cruising Anyone?
Yes, offseason sailing has its rewards on the Salish Sea Cruising in the offseason isn’t for everyone. But the great thing about the Pacific Northwest is that we can be on the water year-round. Winter adventurers just have…
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…
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…
Anchoring Etiquette
4 Keys to Being a Good Neighbor On the Water From the July 2020 48° North issue Whether it’s the most popular bay in the San Juan Islands, a quiet cove in south Puget Sound, a tiny nook in British Columbia or a…
Which Anchor to Choose?
Experienced cruisers work with a local resource who analyzes anchor performance to consider anchor options for their new boat. This article originally appeared in the May 2022 issue of 48° North. Choosing the right anchor is…
What’s life like on passage?
From Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Alaska, all the way south to Mexico and Central America, one of the things I've always enjoyed about writing this blog (going on 7 years!) is that I get to share our family's…
Electric Philosophy: A New Solar Electric Powercat Sails on the Sun
The Concept, Design, and Application of a New Solar Electric Powercat. In each hull of this powercat, you can access the astounding battery banks, as well as the electric drive and tanks. Ed and Eileen Pauley launched their…
The Buddy System
Seasoned cruisers share their experiences pairing up with other sailors. This article was originally published in the September 2021 issue of 48° North. Smoke drifted upward from the grill on the stern, salads and side…