About The Rainy Wake

Welcome aboard.

I’m Tarin Todd — marina manager, licensed captain, and lifelong boater with a soft spot for foggy mornings, sea stories, and the stubborn beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The Rainy Wake is my logbook at large: part cruising journal, part skill-sharing guide, and part love letter to life on the saltwater edges of Cascadia.

From Tacoma’s Thea Foss Waterway to the quiet coves of the Gulf Islands, I’ve spent years navigating these waters — teaching boaters, running vessels of all shapes and vintages, and doing my best to avoid bumping into anything expensive.

This blog is for anyone who’s ever followed a wake just to see where it went.

Here’s what you’ll find on board:

• Boating how-tos that make sense (even if you’re still figuring out the difference between port and starboard)
• Cruising guides and itineraries focused on Puget Sound, the San Juans, and coastal British Columbia
• Gear tips and dock wisdom, from radios and rain gear to the mysterious art of getting your lines just right
• Marina life stories — part observation deck, part confession booth
• And the occasional recipe, because even sea dogs get snacky

You won’t find flashy influencer content, daily dispatches from tropical islands, or anyone shouting “Don’t forget to like and subscribe!” This isn’t that kind of wake.

Instead, you'll get honest writing, practical advice, and reflections from someone who thinks a quiet dock before sunrise is one of life’s great cathedrals — and that a good VHF radio voice is its own art form.

Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser, a salty dreamer, or just boating-curious — you’re welcome here.

See you in the wake.
— Tarin