Diesel Deep Dive: Is Your Engine Sending Smoke Signals?
This article originally appeared in the June 2021 issue of 48° North. In the 1890s, Rudolf Diesel created the first compression ignition oil-burning engine, and it was was large, heavy, smoky, and slow turning. While the…
Tech Talk with SeaBits: Adventuring with Satellites
This article originally appeared in the June 2021 issue of 48° North. Many of us use boating as a way to disconnect from life on land or the daily grind, but when something serious happens, we want to ensure we have a way to…
Wind Forecasts: Understanding & Interpreting this Essential Tool
This article originally appeared in the May 2021 issue of 48° North. Before the Wind by Jim Lynch, is a book about a Ballard-based family of boat builders and Olympic-class sailors. Youngest of the clan, Ruby Johannsen, had…
Bellingham’s Community Boating Center Growing Veterans on the Bay Program
The Community Boating Center (CBC) is growing their Veterans on the Bay program, designed to help Whatcom County military veterans engage with the natural world, develop sailing skills, and gain confidence to safely enjoy…
Three Sheets Northwest: The Evolution of Log Keeping
This article originally appeared in the May 2021 issue of 48° North. Date: August 25-26 Trip: Saltair (Stuart Channel) to Princess Cove (Wallace Island) Weather: Sunny + Hot Notes: First time to Wallace Island and it was…
Artist’s View: The Little Brown Barnacle
This article originally appeared in the May 2021 issue of 48° North. Little and brown... exciting, don’t you think? Well, I think so, but then I’ve been known to just pick up something messy and examine it for days. When I…
Diesel Engine Troubleshooting and Maintenance Workshop in Port Hadlock
Knowing how to troubleshoot and maintain your boat's diesel engine is a crucial part of seamanship and boat ownership. As such, Washington Sea Grant, WSU Jefferson County Extension and the Northwest School of Wooden…
Diesel Deep Dive: Shifting The Marine Repair Paradigm
From the April 2021 issue of 48° North. Editor's Note: Diesel engine maintenance and repair can be a conundrum. Can and should boaters learn the basics and be able to do much of the work ourselves? Absolutely. Still, there…
5 Ways to Get Your Boat’s VHF Radio Ready for the Season
In recreational boating, cellphones are just fine for routine communications. So why do you need a VHF radio – either a handheld or fixed mount – on your boat? Because in an emergency it’s the only thing that can directly…
Close to the Water: Ruminating on Boat Paint with Peter Marshall
I’ve long been proud of the paint job on my boat. At the same time, I’ve also been a little insecure about it. Everything I know about painting I learned from books, chat boards full of opinionated armchair sailors, or my…
