Two-Day Class Will Give Whidbey and Fidalgo Boaters Washington State Boater Education Card

A pair of Saturdays is all it takes to get started in boating and earn the required Boater Education Card. You'll meet some great folks, too. As a new boater, sometimes it can be hard to know where to start... Well, one…

“Girls at the Helm” Inspires Aboard Schooner Adventuress

This article was originally published in the March 2022 issue of 48° North. After the Salish 100 fleet of small boats pulled ashore at Blake Island last summer, I overheard an animated conversation about a sailing program…

Recommissioning: From the Blues to Blue Skies

This article was originally published in the March 2022 issue of 48° North Ah, spring at the marina. Full of promise. Renewal. Great times lay ahead.   Blah, blah, blah.  I trudge down to the boat in early March, dock cart…

Tech Talk with SeaBits: Spring Tech Checkup

This article was originally published in the March 2022 issue of 48° North A great thing to do at least once a year, and especially prior to the start of a more active boating season, is to give your boat a tech checkup.…

Artist’s View: Teredo Shipworm

“Why would you want to write…

Diesel Deep Dive: Functional Oil Filtration

(Caption) Engine room of the Maritime Instructor (Seattle Maritime Academy training ship). All engines are equipped with spin-on or cartridge style filters. This article was originally published in the February 2022 issue of…

Collision Avoidance Using AIS

As AIS becomes ubiquitous amongst boats of various sizes, it's important to know how to use it to avoid a collision. David Burch of Starpath Navigation offers a good tutorial here. Most navigation programs (electronic…

‘Ask An Expert’ Winter Series is Here!

From boatbuilding to ancient navigation and local adventure race fever, the 'Ask An Expert' series has begun... Back by popular demand, the Wooden Boat Festival's "Ask An Expert" Winter Series brings knowledgeable experts…

Beacon Background: The Admiralty Head Lighthouse

This article was originally published in the January 2022 issue of 48° North. When cruising north from Seattle, I always look for the Admiralty Head Lighthouse. There, on a windswept bluff on the west side of Whidbey Island,…

Artist’s View: The Great Blue Heron

A powerful bird! I had a chance…