Category Archives: Sailing and Boating Skills

The importance of making a good first impression when sailing

Posted on September 23, 2020 by captnmike

As all sailors soon figure out that proper style is a vital ingredient to sailing, here are two true tales of style from the archives. Making an unforgettable impression on your advance sailing instructor. Sometime back when I was just … Continue reading →

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Contest – Depose the Bowline – My Entry Was The Winner!!

Posted on June 5, 2018 by captnmike

Recently Brion Toss a well respected Pacific Northwest Yacht Rigger and author of several books on yacht rigging had a contest to find a knot that might not be as well known as the Bowline but worthy of more people … Continue reading →

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Building an Aids to Navigation Demonstration Display

Posted on December 11, 2016 by captnmike

This is an Aids To Navigation (ATON) display demonstration board I made, there are flashing LED’s to demonstrate selected ATON’s in the Elliot Bay area around Seattle Washington. There are 27 Aids represented from just south of the Alki Lighthouse … Continue reading →

Posted in Boating Safety, Navigation, Sailing and Boating Skills | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

NOAA’s Secret Weather Sites

Posted on August 5, 2016 by captnmike

Most sailors in the Seattle area are familiar with the West Point and Seattle NOAA weather sites on the internet. But did you know that those sites are only the tip of the iceberg so to speak of the over … Continue reading →

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Proper Bridge Opening Signals and Conch Shell Horns

Posted on April 19, 2016 by captnmike

Sometimes boaters have trouble getting a bridge to open for them, there are several reasons why a bridge might not lift as soon as you sound your horn. The email below is from a Seattle Bridge Operator and was forwarded … Continue reading →

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An Ode To Credit Card Captains Around The World

Posted on February 8, 2016 by captnmike

Have you ever see someone that makes you wonder if a Boating Safety Class would have helped at all? These folks crashed 6 boats in 45 minutes, cut a mooring line or two, and the list went on. These are … Continue reading →

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DIY & Low Cost Gifts For Your Favorite Skipper

Posted on December 8, 2015 by captnmike

Finding an affordable gift for your favorite skipper can sometimes be difficult.  Not everyone can afford several hundred dollars for the new Hi-Tech Halyard or several thousand for a new Sail. Here are some easy DIY projects you can do … Continue reading →

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DIY Gifts for the Holidays

Posted on December 3, 2015 by captnmike

Gifts for boaters and others can sometimes be a bit difficult, so I thought I would share with you several gifts I have made for boating friends and others, these are all low cost and you can make them yourself.  … Continue reading →

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