Close to the Water: The Best Gift
Able to be carried, Tim’s peapod is a good size for his adventures. On a rowing trip from Seattle to Port Townsend, I was taking a break atop a bluff, looking out toward Whidbey Island, when I noticed a 18-foot, gaff-rigged…
Embracing a Broad Experience in Sailing
Sailing has been the center of my life for as long as I can remember. My earliest memories are of feeling the cool Pacific Northwest wind kissing my face, the smell of teak being sanded, the ocean sparkling when the…
Close to the Water: A Dream Boat Saved
Boats are dreams. The ones we want, the ones we build — even the ones that just sit collecting rainwater. All of them embody those aspirations. The dream boat represents different aspects of our identity and personifies the…
‘Twas the Storm Before Christmas
Over the years, 48° North has decked the hulls with a variety of boating related yuletide joy. Since it's that season again, we're digging into the vault with some stories of holiday's past to help get you in the spirit.…
Casting Off:Brother, Can Your Spare a Line?
Tom gives a hearty wave. Nearly every hobby or endeavor has its unofficial fraternity or sorority membership, and sailing is no different. Woodworkers get together to share techniques and tools; Mopar car owners gather at…
Jingle Sails
From the December, 2020 issue of 48° North To the tune of "Jingle Bells" (verse) The pressure’s dropping low, And sun lights up the sky. They say it’s gonna blow, So let’s go for a ride. Well, sure, it’s Christmas Eve, The…
Editor’s Letter: Continuing Excitement for Shorthanded Racing
I am frequently asked, “What is cool or noteworthy in the world of sailing? What’s the next big thing?” and variations on that theme. The answer is usually murky — foiling technology for America’s Cup boats and many other…
Galley Essentials: Fall Harvest Season in the Pacific Northwest
This installation of our former long-running culinary cruising column, Galley Essentials, from the November 2020 issue of 48° North still provides some delicious inspiration for a Thanksgiving meal — at home or aboard for a…
November Ed Letter:Thankful for Sailing Mentors and Friends
Since I first got my hands on a tiller and sheet, I’ve known every nook and cranny along the winding spectrum of sailorly self-perception. While sailing vastly different boats, in venues local and exotic, engaging in wide…
Marina Hosting at Blake Island State Park
Linda standing at the ready on Blake Island. Have you ever considered being a volunteer host for the Washington State Park system? Perhaps you’ve met a host at a drive-in campsite. Did you know that if you have a boat, you…
