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…
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…
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…
Race Ready Rigging Checklist
As the presenting sponsor of the SARC, PTR Rigging and Spars is committed to serving the racing community, helping increase knowledge and understanding, and improving every sailor’s experience on the water. This article from…
Tips to Get Your Boat Out of its Winter Slumber
From the April 2021 issue of 48° North. One of the fortunate parts of being a boater in the Pacific Northwest is that the waters of the Salish Sea are open for year-round racing and cruising adventures. That said, most…
How-To Insulate Your Boat’s Windows
From the April 2021 48° North issue Spring is here, but outside it will still be predominantly cool and wet for a few months. Conversely and unsurprisingly, we would prefer the inside of our boats to be as warm and dry as…
The Nuts & Bolts of Lithium Power Systems
Tech Talk with SeaBits From the February, 2021 issue of 48° North. Lithium battery systems have become increasingly popular in the last few years, and offer a wealth of benefits for boats. However, there are some…
Ode to the Iron Genny
Lessons Learned Cruising From the February 2021 issue of 48° North. Sailboats! Most of our cruising boats come equipped with noisemakers below deck: the so-called “Iron Genny” comes into service at times when it’s impossible…
Leaky Teaky Tiki – A Refit to Keep the Rain Out
Facing water intrusion, a cruising couple endeavors to refresh and reseal the teak decks of their trawler. "Leaky tiki" is a nickname for otherwise awesome trawlers with water intrusion issues. Our beloved 37-foot 1977 Puget…
