48 North

Jeff and Jessica at the helm while crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca. I first sailed through Washington’s San Juan Islands in 1973, when I was 13 years old. To put that in historical perspective, in 1973 Nixon was in the White House, a gallon of gasoline set you back all of 38 cents, and most of us kids in the Greater Seattle area were still trying to figure out why our beloved Seattle Pilots had decided to become the Milwaukee Brewers.

In the weeks before this edition went to press, 48° North had the good fortune to be at both the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival and the Fall Boats Afloat Show. These two very different and very special gatherings of the Pacific Northwest boating community boast audiences who adore them, and each notched another big success in their long running traditions this year. Additionally, both have quite a lot of personal and professional meaning to me—and that’s been true since the very beginning.

Christina Ruben, Interim Executive Director notes that the timing of the gift is especially meaningful.

48° North Editors are committed to telling the best stories from the world of Pacific Northwest boating. We live and breathe this stuff, and share your passion for the boat life. Feel free to keep in touch with tips, stories, photos, and feedback at news@48north.com.

The Boats Afloat Show at South Lake Union, produced by the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association, is a great September tradition. This year’s show runs from September 17-20 and the experience is always rewarding for boaters and those of us in the local maritime industry who enthusiastically support all things PNW boating. Join the fun, meet the folks who are eager to help, ask all your questions, and check out some of the latest and greatest boats and gear.

The following article was co-written by Erica Lichty and Angela Hewitson. Bang! We’d wondered aloud whether there would really be a cannon shot when a boat crossed the line first—and there it was, punctuating a reunion of sorts. An unexpected crew aboard a borrowed boat with battered sails, hooting and hollering as we became the first boat in the fleet to cross the line in the third race of the day. Sloop Tavern Yacht Club hosts two Women at the Helm races each year.

As a sailor in the Pacific Northwest, I’ve pursued a modest bucket list—sailing to popular destinations including Princess Louisa Inlet and Desolation Sound. But a remaining item on that list was to sail around Vancouver Island. So, in late June 2024, I embarked on a 780 nautical mile trip that is now among my most satisfying memories. Knowing this venture would not be a walk in the park, I considered joining a cruise-and-learn flotilla that Nanaimo Yacht Charters used to conduct twice a year.

These grants will expand ways for residents and visitors of all ages to engage with the incredible water-based stories of our region and provide resources for communities to better protect the heritage resources that define Washington’s saltwater shores. Since time immemorial, people have settled along the saltwater shores of what is today Washington State, supported by rich maritime resources for food, shelter, inspiration, trade, and transportation.

The author’s family enjoying the maiden voyage on her sister-in-law’s new Outbound 46, one of countless happy visits to Blake Island. Like many visitors, I first came to Blake Island on a commercial boat. A short run from the Seattle waterfront brought the vessel to a landing, where hundreds of passengers were greeted with clam appetizers. We then filed into a longhouse for an alder-fire salmon bake and Indigenous cultural show featuring masked dancers and storytelling.

SEAFLO Dry Bilge System Boaters love a dry bilge, but it’s not always easy to keep it that way. The SEAFLO Dry Bilge System 2.0 is a 24V marine water removal system designed to eliminate standing water from bilges and other water-containing compartments. Featuring self-priming capability up to 25 feet, the system supports remote mounting for flexible installation across a variety of vessel configurations.