Haida Sails: The Breath of Cedar
People have always sailed, across every corner of the world. But somewhere along the way, we traded cedar for canvas, and in that shift, we turned our gaze away, never to look back. The secret lies in the strength woven into…
Editor’s Letter: Cheers to the New Year and the Hardy Among Us
As we turn the page into 2025, I’m inspired by hardiness. On the waters of the Salish Sea and the Inside Passage, among Pacific Northwest boat-folk near and far, there is so much to be impressed by, to honor, and from which…
Let it Blow!
To the tune of “Let it Snow” (verse) Oh, the weather outside’s delightful And my boss is “ugh” so spiteful, And since the boat’s rigged to go, Let it blow, let it blow, let it blow. (verse) The barometer’s quickly dropping,…
Editor’s Letter: Yes, And…
In acting and improv, there’s a principle known as “Yes, and...” The point is to affirm another actor’s perspective and/or portrayal as truth, and build the scene from there in light of their reality; recognizing that the…
#TBT Ed Letter: Thankful for Sailing Mentors and Friends
This week of bounty and gratitude seemed like a good time to revisit a November editorial from a few years back. Happy Thanksgiving from the 48° North crew, we're thankful for you! Since I first got my hands on a tiller and…
The Destination Wedding Principle Revisited
On the eve of what is arguably the region’s consensus favorite sailboat race, Round the County, I’m updating an almost-10-year-old editorial exploring why I (and so many other sailors) point to this event as the highlight of…
#TBT: Portland’s ‘Witches on the Willamette’ Rules the River
Happy Halloween! In our latest Throwback Thursday, we're reminded of the spooky scene at last year's annual SUP witch paddle in Portland. After a week of unrelenting rain, I woke up to a sunny Saturday before Halloween that…
Editor’s Letter: Racing Rewards in the Pacific Northwest
The smell of hot dogs wafted through the cockpit from the grill on our boat’s stern, and laughter rang out from friends sitting on the side deck and perched on the cabin top after a sappy joke. We were making way, but the…
Hama Hama oysters are a welcome “carrot” to entice…
Close to the Water: Other Boats
My old college friend and I were eager to get away and forgot the daily details that usually preoccupy us. And as we slowly ghosted into Jones Island’s broad horseshoe-shaped cove, I knew we’d chosen the right spot. An…