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,…