Close to the Water: Missing Kelp in South Puget Sound
Kelp loss South Puget Sound is real and, despite the odds stacked up against it, boaters and scientists aren't giving up hope. If you hiked to see those towering giants, the coast redwoods-and all you found were a few ferns…
Close to the Water: Small Boat Businesses Weather the COVID Storm
This article originally appeared in the May 2021 issue of 48° North. I confess to being a typical American in my shopping habits: I go to the store or browse the web, find what I want and buy it. The pandemic changed that…
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…
View 48° North Columnist’s Artwork at Portland’s Lincoln Street Kayak & Canoe Museum
Present Tense: An installation by SE Portland sailor and artist Bruce Bateau goes on display at the Lincoln Street Kayak & Canoe Museum in Portland, Oregon April 3-31, 2021.
by Editor
Close to the Water: Where the Action Is
Large crossings in a small boat create a deeper appreciation for the simple beauty of shallow water and vibrant shorelines One of the reasons I love small boats is because they are so well suited for cruising in shallow…
Like many…A Porta Potty Party Barge? No Foolin’
As April fools day approaches, my mind always strays to the regional tall tales locals like to spin: Scotland’s Loch Ness monster, our Pacific Northwest Bigfoot, and the rumored alligator of my own cruising grounds, the…
The Log of "Row Bird"
When I tell fellow sailors that I keep a log for my 18-foot sail and oar boat, they mostly look puzzled. "Why would I want to do that?" I see them wonder.
What better way…Hidden in plain sight | Hayden Island’s aquatic community
Crossing the I-5 bridge between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, a driver might spot boats on the Columbia River below, several dozen, perhaps, under sail or power. Noticing a few marinas as well, our observant…