The carpet on my boat was beyond repair. It was old, tired and would not perk up no matter how many times I steam-cleaned it. It was done. I am really not crazy about carpet on a boat, but there weren’t that many options years ago when I decided to replace the carpet with…
Backeddy Resort & Marina, located in the small community of Egmont on British Columbia’s north Sechelt Peninsula, is known for being a small, quiet and relaxing marina. But, there were a couple of other reasons for our two-night visit last summer. First, it made for a perfect location to time our departure and arrival at Malibu Rapids before…
How many boats will be at the Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show on May 17-20? Almost 300 boats! That makes it the largest boat show in Anacortes, Washington! “The Anacortes waterfront and community are a perfect venue to showcase recreational boating and fishing outside of the hustle and bustle of Seattle. Anacortes is one of…
Opening Day of Boating will soon be here! I don’t know about you, but those beautiful days of sunshine we had last week have got us really excited about getting out on the water. At our home port in Anacortes, Washington, the Opening Day of Boating Celebration takes place on May 5, 2018, at Cap…
Operators of most out-of-state watercraft and floatplanes, as well as commercial transporters of watercraft, are now required to purchase an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Permit from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW). The $24 permit ($20 permit + $4 fee) can be purchased online or at any WDFW license sales location throughout…
It’s the time of year when boaters up and down the West Coast are looking forward to the cruising season and preparing to head out for one- or two–week trips, or for a summer of extended cruising, and they are establishing their to-do lists. If you’re one of those boaters, what should be on your list?…
Most windlasses will appreciate an occasional cleaning and lube. This doesn’t require major surgery but is basic field-stripping that anyone can do. Use the type of grease recommended in the owner’s manual (if you’ve misplaced it chances are you can download one from the manufacturer’s website), and be careful to keep friction clutches and brakes…
I love it when I find a product that actually works. Last weekend I tried Meguiar’s M5826 Marine All Purpose Cleaner to spruce up the white zippers on my canvas. There was a small leak in the winter cover and the water ran along the zipper turning it a lovely shade of slime green. I sprayed on…
TrawlerFest Bremerton May 1 to May 5 In-water Boat Show, May 3 to May 5 Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. At Bremerton Marina TrawlerFest is a celebration of the cruising lifestyle with a focus on trawler yachts. These vessels trace their origins and often their look to the fishing craft of the mid-20th…
For the month of April, we are highlighting the NEW Exploring Southeast Alaska, 3rd Edition by Don & Reanne Douglas.
It is that time of the year. Time to start planning for this summer’s passage or passages. Planning a passage is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. You start with the knowns, the clues, and what you want to do and what is practical to do. You begin to document your information as you gather…
The Broughtons are a beautiful cruising ground located at the north end of Johnstone Strait. Rich in history, with an abundance of protected anchorages within a maze of islands, islets, passages and tidal rapids which has much to offer the adventurous cruiser. Over the years of our exploring the Broughtons, we have established a list…
I was recently reading an article about an innovative company in the Pacific Northwest called Canada Metal (Pacific) Ltd. They manufacture cadmium free aluminum alloy anodes. You may ask, “How does that relate to my boat?” Well, pretty much everything that is immersed in water (boat, watercraft, dock) require anodes to protect them from corrosion.…
Break out of the Old into the New – Planning the Perfect Itinerary for Captain and Crew with the Waggoner Cruising Guide editors March 31, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $45 Register here. Looking for new destinations and experiences for the 2018 boating season? Or need help planning an itinerary that will delight the entire…
Daffodil Marine Festival and Parade Spring is here! And, with spring comes daffodils and the Daffodil Marine Festival and Parade, which is hosted and put on by the Tacoma Yacht Club. This annual event started in 1952 and 66 years later it is still going strong. This very popular event fills up the basin…
Transducer mounded on fairing block for best performance. Hidden below the waterline, the transducers are the eyes of our depth sounders and fish finders. They rarely cross our minds until the boat is hauled and we see them protruding from the hull or suspended from the transom. The fact that we can treat them…
In need of a quick escape? Or maybe, you want to take the boat out on a sea trial? Vendovi Island Preserve, a 217-acre island located seven miles north of Anacortes between Guemes and Lummi Islands, south of Bellingham Bay is the perfect day cruising getaway. The Island is a portion of the San Juan…
Cruising Desolation Sound and The Broughtons Seminar, April 21 Spend a day learning about some of the most magical and easily accessible cruising in the Pacific Northwest! Longtime boating experts will teach you about clearing Canadian Customs, navigating through the Gulf Islands, selecting a weather window to cross the Strait of Georgia, where to go…
It’s time to gear up for another memorable season on the water. In the spring rush to get the boat ready, it’s tempting to paint the bottom and get back to cruising again. But to do so without a thorough inspection can be an invitation for trouble. The extra hours that it takes to inspect…
Things are booming at the Seattle Boat Show, and there are still a few days left with the show closing Saturday night, February 3rd. Boats are selling, accessories are selling, new boat owners are running between booths ordering accessories and boatyard services. The repair yard schedules are filling up as people book their spring maintenance…