Heavy Air in Hecate Strait: Wild Wind & Waves in the Teeth of a Gale
Writing about our rough crossing of Hecate Strait isn’t something that comes easily—it’s actually a memory I’d rather not relive. Learning from your mistakes is an important trait of successful sailors, though, and the…
Coast Guard crews rescue 5 from sailboat off Oregon Coast
Early Wednesday morning, USCG Station Deope Bay received a distress call from a 50 foot sailing vessel beset by seas upwards of 20 feet and 35 knots of wind. A motor lifeboat from Depoe Bay launched and began towing the…
#TBT: MacGyvering at Sea
From the August 2010 issue of 48° North by Heather Lochner It was our first crossing of the season. The Gulf Islands beckoned us. With no wind in sight, we gave our rested engines a much needed workout. For a boat that had…
Mooring buoys, and things that go bump in the night
Thanks to Three Sheets reader Allen Gibbard for sending this great tip... You’ve had a fun day on the water. The cruising Gods have smiled upon you — the last mooring ball is open at your favorite destination. You’re set.…
#TBT: Are We There Yet? Know Before You Go.
From the March 2011 issue of 48° North by Gary Dickinson When our son was young, going to his grandparent’s house, he would say those universal words we all have heard, “Are we there yet?” That got me to thinking. How do we…
#TBT: Turning Adversity into Adventure
From the October 2003 issue of 48° North by Lance Ekhart It all started innocently enough. I am careful to always shorten my dinghy painter before making any maneuvers with the engine and I did so this time, but obviously…
Kayaker rescues crabber from burning boat
Wow, this is quite a rescue! A kayaker takes matters into her own hands and sets out to assist a commercial crabber from his burning vessel. Glad everyone is safe... This video was apparently shot on January 31, 2018 near…
Video | Boat crash on the Columbia River
The chilling footage below is from a collision near buoy 10 on the Columbia River. It took place last summer and has been making the rounds as a cautionary tale for boaters everywhere. Fortunately nobody was seriously…