Sailing the Northwest

I remember a crossing of the Straight of Juan de Fuca that was particularly harsh when I was eight years old.  We had taken leave of the safe harbor of Port Townsend early in the morning and were greeted by calm seas for the crossing with our friends in the Catalina 27′ fleet. 
No sooner were [...]

File this one in the “Better late than never” category.  Close on the heels of Seattle’s Opening Day, National Safe Boating Week comes to a close today.  Thanks to our friends at Navagear and Bitter End for bringing this to our attention.
SEATTLE - In preparation for the 50th Annual National Safe Boating Week, May 17-24, the Coast [...]

Rigging knives are used in sailing to work with lines and other forms of rigging.  Rigging knives had their moment in the spotlight when one was used  on America One to cut a genoa sheet that had become wrapped during the Louis Vitton finals.   You should consider a rigging knife as much a necessity [...]

We’ve almost hit the one-year anniversary of this video, when the USCG District 13 rescued this sailing vessel off of Lopez Island on May 27, 2007.   It serves as a quick reminder of what can happen on the water. 
May 27, 2007 — The Coast Guard assisted four people on a sailing vessel that ran aground at [...]

The Bush Administration apparently thinks so, as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced their Small Vessel Security Strategy today to help reduce terror risks associated with small boats.  DHS is essentially hoping to institute a Neighborhood-Watch type program among boaters to help fight terrorism.  The full strategy is available on the DHS website.
This strategy came [...]

We previously posted links to online NOAA charts for Puget Sound and the Northwest, and today wanted to point you in the direction of an online site that publishes waterproof charts for Puget Sound and the Pacific Northwest.
I personally have always found these handy charts to be very useful for everyday cruising and racing on Puget Sound [...]

Washington State passed legislation in 2005 requiring all boaters to carry a Washington Boater Education Card if they are operating a sailboat or powerboat with a 15HP or larger engine.   This card is not like a drivers license, however, in that it does not need to be renewed - once you obtain your knowledge of basic [...]

Almost 80 percent of all boating-related deaths occur by drowning.  Approximately 50 percent of all recreational boating deaths occur in calm water.  Wearing a life jacket while sailing can help you from becoming an unfortunate statistic.
The U.S. Coast Guard recommends that everyone wear a life jacket while boating or sailing.  In the state of Washington, any passengers under [...]

We recently detailed the required safety equipment you need on your boat in Washington State. But did you know that you can also get a free Vessel Safety Check conducted by the US Power Squadron or US Coast Guard Auxiliary? 
The program is voluntary for both you and the boat examiner, and will result in the [...]