The Artful Sailor

The Artful Sailor READY ABOUT! (short tack)
The Artful Sailor is a Whole Earth Nautical Supply that promotes and perpet Ditty bags of that design soon appeared all over the world.

(long tack)
The Artful Sailor is a Whole Earth Nautical Supply that evolved from the sailing, sailmaking and nautical writing career of Emiliano Marino and was founded by Pamela-Sue Alvarado. Beginning with Marino's 19th century, New England, family seafaring history and his childhood sailing experiences, his sail related evolution progressed to a sailmaking apprenticeship in 1974, in San Diego, C

A. Over the course of time, Marino went on to establish-or be party to the establishment of-several sail lofts and write a pamphlet entitled The Sailmaker's Dozen. Of global impact was a two-part article he wrote in 1979-80 for Woodenboat Magazine (Issues #31, #32), A Ditty Bag Apprenticeship. It was a hands-on fundamental course in traditional sailmaking techniques. They are still seen and made today. A similar bent was pursued through a how-to, question and answer column entitled The Sail Doctor that Marino wrote for Small Craft Journal Magazine in the late 1980's. That, in turn, led to the writing and 1995 publication of the authoritative and now widely known sailmaking treatise, The Sailmaker's Apprentice: A Guide For the Self-Reliant Sailor. The book, now in print for over 20 years, features a reprise of A Ditty Bag Apprenticeship and is intended to preserve traditional sailmaking skills. Soon thereafter, Marino revived The Sail Doctor; but in Small Craft Advisor magazine, published in Port Townsend, WA. In 2016, The Sail Doctor was re-entitled The Artful Sailor and provided with a new logo. In an easygoing way, the popular column expounds on all aspects of rigging, working and maintaining small sailing craft. With the new logo and its associated T-shirt came the inspiration for Alvarado to establish The Artful Sailor as the Whole Earth Nautical Supply it is today. The Artful Sailor is located in Port Townsend, WA, a Victorian seaport with thriving maritime trades and a large sailing community.

06/14/2025
Salty Sue says . . .“There’s no way ‘round it. The purser says the current prices need to go up or we’ll go down. We hav...
05/29/2025

Salty Sue says . . .
“There’s no way ‘round it. The purser says the current prices need to go up or we’ll go down. We have resisted the need, but in order to continue to provide such specialized materials, tools and services, the prices on most items in The Artful Sailor catalogue online and in the shop will increase on June 1st.”

Salty Sue says . . .“Available in the store and online, a handsome and handy bag full of the tools and materials a sailo...
05/24/2025

Salty Sue says . . .
“Available in the store and online, a handsome and handy bag full of the tools and materials a sailor is likely to need for typical sail and canvas repairs at sea or ashore. As recommended in The Sailmaker’s Apprentice, the kit provides a voyaging or day sailor the basics for patching and maintenance by hand. Visit: https://www.theartfulsailor.com/catalogue/the-artful-sailors-sail-repair-kit “

The Red Star of Sailmaking ExcellenceA picture or symbol is worth a thousand words! Here, the red star label on this cot...
05/08/2025

The Red Star of Sailmaking Excellence

A picture or symbol is worth a thousand words! Here, the red star label on this cotton sail represents the truly traditional and meticulous sail work of sailmaker Emiliano Marino at The Artful Sailor’s sail loft at Point Hudson in Port Townsend, Washington. The Artful Sailor, where old world quality and character meets new world sailing needs. Traditional boats and rigs deserve authentic sails to match. More on the making of this lugs’l to come. In the meantime, ask for the red star label!

Salty Sue says . . .“Last Saturday The Artful Sailor celebrated eight years doin’ what we do! There was live music, home...
05/07/2025

Salty Sue says . . .
“Last Saturday The Artful Sailor celebrated eight years doin’ what we do! There was live music, homemade cookies and fresh flowers all ‘round. We also kicked off our Heave, Ho! Hammock Raffle. Stop by and enter to win a handsewn, traditional sailor’s hammock. It’s stout, sturdy and salty! The winner will be drawn on the last day of the Wooden Boat Festival.”

Salty Sue says . . .“Come on down to The Artful Sailor shop today, May 3rd to help celebrate our eight year anniversary ...
05/03/2025

Salty Sue says . . .
“Come on down to The Artful Sailor shop today, May 3rd to help celebrate our eight year anniversary and May Day. The band is warmin’ up and will be playing live music from Noon to 2:00. The Greased Lightning trio will be playing classic rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly and surf music. You can hang with Guy in the traditional sailor’s hammock that is being raffled off between now and the end of the Wooden Boat Festival. It’s stout, sturdy and salty! Enter to win.”

IT’S MAY DAY AND IT’S OUR 8th ANNIVERSARY!Yesiree! It’s been EIGHT years since The Artful Sailor was launched. Time sure...
05/01/2025

IT’S MAY DAY AND IT’S OUR 8th ANNIVERSARY!

Yesiree! It’s been EIGHT years since The Artful Sailor was launched. Time sure does fly! We have come a looong way from where we started. Eight years ago we had half the space we currently have and offered a fraction of the tools, materials and classes. We listened to what people wanted and made it happen. That’s how our Used Sail Exchange was born and has been a grand success. Many have donated sails and obtained sails from us for a myriad of reasons. Our Ditty Bag Apprenticeship kits, traditional tools and books have been sent around the world, and there are quite a bundle of handsewn sailmaker’s aprons and duffel bags out there made by our workshop participants.

We have met many wonderful sailors and lubbers who have visited our shop, participated in our workshops, made sails and came to the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festivals. We want to thank everyone who has given their support for what we passionately do here at The Artful Sailor: carrying on traditional sailmaking and rigging skills, as well as teaching people to be self-reliant and resourceful. Visit www.theartfulsailor.com .

Please call us to make an appointment (360)344-8120 or send us an email: [email protected] . We would love to hear from you.

May Day is on the way!Salty Sue says . . .“The Sail Loft building cherry blossoms may have come and gone but the weather...
04/30/2025

May Day is on the way!

Salty Sue says . . .
“The Sail Loft building cherry blossoms may have come and gone but the weather looks promising for this Saturday. The bandstand’s ready to boogie! To celebrate May Day and the Eight Year Anniversary of The Artful Sailor, there will be live music outside The Artful Sailor shop by the PT Skate Park from Noon to 2:00 on Sat., May 3rd. Stop by to hear Rockabilly, classic rock ‘n’ roll and surf music by the Greased Lightning trio. Enter to win a traditional sailor’s hammock, handsewn by Emiliano Marino. Stout, sturdy and salty! Come see the hammock, bring your lunch, dancin’ shoes, smiley faces and join us for some much needed live music. All are welcome!”

Salty Sue says . . .“One week from today The Artful Sailor will be celebrating May Day AND our Eight Year Anniversary! T...
04/26/2025

Salty Sue says . . .
“One week from today The Artful Sailor will be celebrating May Day AND our Eight Year Anniversary! There will be live music outside The Artful Sailor shop by the PT Skate Park from Noon to 2:00 pm. Stop by to hear Rockabilly, classic rock ‘n’ roll and surf music by the Greased Lightning trio. Enter to win a traditional sailor’s hammock, handsewn by Emiliano Marino. Stout, sturdy and salty! Come see the hammock, bring your lunch, dancin’ shoes, smiley faces and join us for some much needed live music. All are welcome!” That’s Saturday, May 3rd!

Heave, Ho! Hammock RaffleThe best ten bucks you’ll ever spend: now through September 7th, the last day of the Port Towns...
04/26/2025

Heave, Ho! Hammock Raffle
The best ten bucks you’ll ever spend: now through September 7th, the last day of the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, enter to win The Artful Sailor’s grand hammock raffle. It’s one hellava hammock; traditional maritime design and construction, heavy 24 oz. cotton canvas, brass clew rings, sword knots, entirely handsewn by Emiliano Marino. Purchase a raffle ticket and you may be hangin’ this snug and rugged historical hammock on your boat or porch. Sturdy, stout and salty! The prize hammock is on display at The Artful Sailor shop in Port Townsend. To drop your tickets in the bin, come on by or call it in. (360)344-8120 Take a chance, it ain’t no sin, ya needn’t be on hand to win.

Address

410 Washington Street (by The Skate Park)
Port Townsend, WA
98368

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 1pm - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+13603448120

Website

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