BoatUS Spring Commissioning Checklist 2023
With spring officially just days away, thousands of boaters around the Pacific Northwest are starting to think about getting out there more frequently. Here's a checklist from BoatUS to go through before you untie the……
Casting Off: Reefing Madness
Exploring the Mathematics of a Safe Practice It may not seem so by looking at it, but the author's mathematical formula shows that the first reef point reduces sail area to 75% of the original, the second reef reduces it to…
Two-Day Boating Education Course Offered at Oak Harbor Yacht Club
For novice boaters wanting to learn more and needing to get there state boater education card, a two-day course is being held at Oak Harbor Yacht Club in March. Washington state law requires recreational boaters to complete…
Icon on the Sound, West Point Lighthouse
The West Point Light has guided mariners in and out of Seattle since 1881. This small but stately beacon sits on a low sandy point at the northern entrance of Elliott Bay, overlooking the busiest vessel traffic in Washington…
Coast Guard Approved First Aid at Sea Workshops in Seattle
Learn to effectively respond to hypothermia, near drowning, and other on-the-water incidents in this informative workshop on February 10 and 17, 2023. Whether you're a commercial fisherman, USCG-licensed captain at any…
What Else Can Your Engine Do for You?
This Perkins has a hydraulic pump for power steering. Aboard many recreational and commercial boats, the main engine may be equipped to drive more than just the boat. From pump drives to generators, the power an engine…
Paddle Path:Winter Downwind Paddling in the PNW
Staring out my window on Budd Inlet, I can’t help but recall the fully immersive experience of downwind paddling. Budd Inlet has a great enough fetch, roughly 10 miles, and has the desired geography to create suitable…
Doable DIY:Crafting a Simple, Durable Dodger
Have you ever noticed an old and badly neglected sailboat at the marina or boat yard or that grabs you and pulls you in? One that calls to you beyond just the fiberglass and weathered teak, making you feel some salty…
Advanced First Aid & CPR/AED for the Mariner Courses
Our NWMC colleagues are partnering with Backcountry Medical Guides to offer advanced training relevant to all mariners, including those thinking about Seventy48 or Race to Alaska next year. These unique training…
Diesel Deep Dive:When to Repair vs Replace
There are cases when replacing with a new engine may actually be cheaper than a rebuild. The question of whether to repair or replace an engine component, or the entire engine itself, is complicated. Answers vary greatly…