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Inside Practical Sailor

Ellen and Birger live full-time on their Fontaine Pajot Lavezzi and are paid to clean up remote natural reserves in Norway. (Photo/ Birger Haftor Nilsen and Ellen Gjertsen)

Full-Time Ocean Trash Cleanup in the Arctic Circle

On the small island of Bolga in northern Norway, 17 nm north of the Arctic Circle, a 40-ft. catamaran lies at a quay. It...
New Zealand Emirates race in the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta on 25 August 2024. (Photo/ Ian Roman/ America's Cup)

Boats That Fly? How High Tech Rocked the America’s Cup

The America’s Cup is an ornate bottomless, sterling silver ewer crafted in 1848 by Garrard's of London—who still repair it when needed. It’s an impressive...
The R. Tucker Thompson is a tall ship based in the Bay of Islands, Aotearoa New Zealand. It operates as a not-for-profit, and takes Northland’s young people on 7-day voyages. (Photo courtesy of R. Tucker Thompson)

R. Tucker Thompson Tall Ship Youth Voyage

“Ready of the fore!” a crew member called back. “Hall away the fore!” Captain Peter yelled in reply. We hoisted up the foresail, on board the...

On Watch: This 60-Year-Old Hinckley Pilot 35 is Also a Working Girl

Nestled among the super yachts berthed ostentatiously along Manhattan's North Cove—a well-to-do enclave near New York's world trade center—the 1964 Hinckley Pilot 35 Tara...
America's Cup sailboats have progressed from deep-keel monohull J-class Yachts, to regal Twelve Meters, to rambunctious wing-sailed catamarans. The rule now restricts boats to a single hull, but allows retractable, hydraulically actuated foils. Top speeds of 40 knots are common. (Photo/Shutterstock)

On Watch: America’s Cup

The America’s Cup Events (ACE) beginning 22nd August 2024, is a two month long plan consisting of the Louis Vuitton Challenger Cup, the Youth...

On Watch: All Eyes on Europe Sail Racing

July to August is quite a nerve-wracking time for competitive sailors and spectators as two mega events begin: the Paris 2024 Olympics and the...

Dear Readers

On June 12, we ran a piece written by contributor Roland Stockham that discussed an alternative jackline installation concept that emphasized placement of jacklines...

Chafe Protection for Dock Lines

Engineers are quick to point out the downside of bending a tensioned line over a hard point—which is exactly what happens at every cleat,...
Waxing and Polishing Your Boat

Waxing and Polishing Your Boat

Spring will be here sooner than we think, so I am plunging once again into polishing and waxing fiberglass boat hulls. This post covers...

Reducing Engine Room Noise

Of all the health reporting that has been featured in the news recently, the theme of ambient noise is one that resonated strongly with...

The UNIQUE Maxus 26 Lifting Keel Trailer Sailor

What is the best trailerable sailboat? One big feature is the mast stepping system. Today we look at trailer sailors like the Catalina 275,...

Latest Sailboat Review

Morgan Out Island 36 Used Boat Review

Most are familiar with Charles Morgan and his Out Island 41, primarily made to cruise and charter in the Bahamas, but not many are...