About now, the list of off-season, “to-do” projects that wound up as “to-didn’t” boat projects might be staring you in the face, begging to be taken care of, once and for all.

If you’re looking to upgrade your running rigging hardware this year, we’ve published
a slew of product tests that you’ll want
to check out in our online archives at
www.practical-sailor.com.

• We evaluated snatch blocks in the July 2007 issue, looking at blocks from Antal, Garhauer, Harken, Lewmar, Schaefer, and Wichard.
  In the August 2008 issue, we featured a
  test update that put a line of blocks from Ronstan in the mix.
• Testers dove into the crowded world of shackles in the July 2014 issue. Now is a good time to inspect old shackles for signs of wear or failure, and to replace any that
  are questionable.
• If you’re upgrading your running rigging to high-tech lines, you’ll want to consider replacing your old rope clutches too. In
  the November 2014 issue, we reviewed a range of new rope clutches engineered to be grippier to handle today’s slick, high-tech fiber rope.

Many boat owners who did not remove their running rigging during the off season might find their sheets and halyards need cleaning. Before starting, read our extensive report on washing ropes in the July 2011 issue. It answers those often-asked questions like whether you should use bleach or fabric softener; should they be laundered in a washing machine or bucket?
The post “Fast and Easy Rope Cleaning” on our Inside Practical Sailor blog offers a short recap of the article as well.

Another boat chore you can cross off your list a little early is cleaning—or clearing—foggy Eisenglass. In the May 2014 issue, we reviewed several products designed to clean or revive aged, clear-vinyl windows.

Upgrading your electrical system? Our five-part series covers marine electrical systems and includes volumes on batteries; electrical system installation (grounding and lightening protection); alternative energy; AC systems; and panels, charging, and monitoring. Check it out at our online bookstore at