Boating Education
Practical guides written for Pacific Northwest conditions. From your first day on the water to mastering tidal navigation — we cover it clearly.
All education articles
Beginner's Guide to Sailing
Everything you need to know before your first sail: parts of the boat, basic maneuvers, points of sail, safety equipment, and what to expect on a charter in the Pacific Northwest.
Tides and Currents in the Pacific Northwest
Seymour Narrows runs at sixteen knots. Cattle Pass produces standing waves. Active Pass schedules itself around BC Ferries. PNW navigation is governed by tides and currents — this is how to read them.
Anchoring in Pacific Northwest Waters
Twelve-foot tides, four-knot current in the passes, kelp on every shoreline, and a wind that can shift through three quadrants while you sleep. PNW anchoring is its own discipline.
Boat Maintenance Basics for New Owners
Master the essential maintenance tasks that keep your boat in good condition: haul-out schedules, engine winterization, through-hulls, and more.
Buying Your First Boat: What to Look For
Navigate the boat-buying process with confidence: understanding surveys, identifying red flags, and finding the right boat for your needs.
Cold-Water Survival in the Pacific Northwest
Puget Sound water runs 45–55°F year-round. The 1-10-1 rule, the four phases of immersion, and what actually saves the lives that get saved.
Cruising Canadian Waters: Customs, Clearance, and What to Know
Complete guide to Canadian cruising: CBSA registration, customs procedures, what you can bring, and the best destinations from Puget Sound.
Diesel Engine Basics for Sailors
Understand diesel engines: starting procedures, maintenance, troubleshooting, and winterization.
Dock Lines and Fenders: The Complete Guide
Learn how to rig dock lines properly, position fenders effectively, and manage the tidal range in Pacific Northwest waters.
Docking and Mooring in Tidal Waters
Master docking techniques and mooring strategies for Pacific Northwest's challenging tidal environments.
Fuel Planning and Range for Powerboaters
Calculate fuel consumption, use the rule of thirds, plan range with current and wind, and find fuel docks safely throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Essential Knots Every Boater Should Know
Master the core knots that secure your boat, hold your rigging, and keep you safe—bowline, cleat hitch, clove hitch, and more.
Man Overboard: The Recovery Procedures That Save Lives
What to do in the first thirty seconds, the next two minutes, and the half hour after — for sail, for power, and for the cold water of the Pacific Northwest.
Marine Electronics: Chartplotters, AIS, and Radar Explained
Understand how chartplotters, AIS transponders, and radar work—and how to use them effectively in Pacific Northwest waters.
Marine Courtesy and Right-of-Way Etiquette
Learn COLREGS in plain English, VHF radio protocol, anchoring courtesy, and how to be a respectful boater in Puget Sound and the San Juans.
Marine Safety Equipment for Pacific Coast Boats
What the USCG requires, what actually saves lives, and the gap between the two. A working list, not a checklist.
Navigation Basics for Pacific Northwest Boaters
Learn to read nautical charts, use GPS effectively, understand buoys and aids to navigation, plan a route, and navigate safely in Puget Sound and beyond.
Night Sailing in the Pacific Northwest
Watches, navigation lights as language, fatigue management, fog at night, and the discipline that turns a deck at 0300 into a working environment rather than an accident waiting.
Understanding NOAA Forecasts and VHF Weather for Pacific Northwest Boaters
Learn to read NOAA marine forecasts, use VHF weather channels, interpret small craft advisories, and make go/no-go decisions for Puget Sound.
Pacific Northwest Weather Patterns for Mariners
Understand seasonal PNW weather patterns, wind systems, and forecasting for safe marine planning.
Powerboat 101: Getting Started with Motorboating in the PNW
Your complete introduction to powerboating: engine basics, docking techniques, rules of the road, PNW conditions, and what you need to know before your first charter or rental.
Provisioning for a PNW Cruise: Food, Water, and Supplies
Plan food, water, fuel, and supplies for multi-day Pacific Northwest cruising trips.
Reading Marine Weather Forecasts
How NOAA's marine forecast products work, what their wind and sea numbers actually mean for a Pacific Northwest cruise, and how to plan around them.
How to Read Nautical Charts and Use Chart Plotters
Master nautical chart symbols, scales, and digital chart plotter use for safe navigation.
Rules of the Road: COLREGs for Recreational Boaters
The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, as they apply to a recreational boat in the Pacific Northwest. Right-of-way, lights, sound signals, and the one rule that overrides all of them.
Sail Trim Basics: Making Your Sailboat Sing
Learn how to read telltales, trim your sails for different points of sail, and recognize when your boat is working efficiently.
Sailing with Kids and Families in the Pacific Northwest
Age-appropriate safety practices, keeping children engaged, family-friendly anchorages, and building lifelong love of the water in the PNW.
Seasickness Prevention and Remedies for Pacific Northwest Waters
Learn why seasickness happens, prevention strategies before departure, and proven remedies for staying comfortable on the water in PNW conditions.
Solo and Short-handed Sailing Techniques
Master techniques for sailing alone or with minimal crew, including self-steering, watch systems, and safety.
Marine VHF Radio: The Working Guide
How to call, how to listen, how to send a Mayday — and the channel discipline that keeps the system working for everyone. Pacific Coast specifics included.