Three Sheets Northwest:One Man’s Treasure in Letting the Clutter Go
In an effort to downsize their boat gear, the author’s storage unit is nearly empty. We all know the old saw about the best two days in a boater’s life. But I’d like to nominate a third: the day you finally get rid of all…
Three Sheets NW:A Van Isle Cruiser’s Hat Trick
Sunrise over Vancouver Island on approach to their first post-passage anchorage. It was the porpoises that sealed the deal. When your summer cruising plans are to circumnavigate Vancouver Island, you have to be prepared to…
A Reluctant Bilge Dive Reveals Big Trouble
Even a well prepared boat like Rounder can have some gremlins lurking in its deepest, darkest corners. Our 1984 Passport 40, Rounder, has a deep bilge. Of course, I’ve looked down into the well at the aft end of it before…
Cowichan Bay: A Charming Seaside Village with a Throwback Vibe
Marinas at Cowichan Bay have a mix of working boats and recreational vessels. The first hint about the place we would be arriving at was the marina. As we headed toward Cowichan Bay, a village on the east coast of southern…
Working on Boats: A Space Odyssey
I’ll just come right out and say it — I’m one of those weirdos who actually enjoys working on boat projects nearly as much as I enjoy being out on the boat. Of all the upgrades and repairs we’ve made to our 1984 Passport 40…
Recommissioning: From the Blues to Blue Skies
This article was originally published in the March 2022 issue of 48° North Ah, spring at the marina. Full of promise. Renewal. Great times lay ahead. Blah, blah, blah. I trudge down to the boat in early March, dock cart…
Three Sheets Northwest: Spring Surprises in the San Juans
We pulled into Rosario Resort on a gloriously warm Thursday afternoon and saw something we hadn’t expected to see — an almost empty marina. I walked up the dock as a group of geese and goslings swam in the shallow water…
Three Sheets Northwest: The Evolution of Log Keeping
This article originally appeared in the May 2021 issue of 48° North. Date: August 25-26 Trip: Saltair (Stuart Channel) to Princess Cove (Wallace Island) Weather: Sunny + Hot Notes: First time to Wallace Island and it was…
Sound Transit: Go North, Go Fast
How do you cut nearly two hours off a slow sailing trip from Seattle to the San Juan Islands? Well, you could buy a new engine. Maybe get a super slick bottom paint job. Or just leave the boat at home and take the Victoria…