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…
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…
Casting Off: Adding Personal Touches Aboard
Ariel comes out of the water; what surprises will they find? When my wife, Laura, and I were searching for our first boat after moving to the Pacific Northwest, we spent hours reviewing the qualities and characteristics of…
Casting Off:
Looking for Sludge in All the Wrong Places
Disassembling and cleaning the carburetor. Whenever the small engine on my Uncle Jess’ Chris-Craft stalled, he’d remove the cowling and work some mechanical magic with a screwdriver to get it started again. Not one…
Casting Off: Remember the Main!
From the June 2022 issue of 48° North. “Sailing is 90% boredom and routine punctuated by 10% heart-pumping adrenaline.” Hearing this adage from our sailing mentor had the effect of both assuaging and alarming me and my wife,…