The Mystery Chain from China
Were just wrapping up our extensive three-part test of anchor chain and find ourselves caught in a web of intrigue. For the past couple...
Boat Insurance Shopping Tips
If you're in the used boat market, late fall usually offers a good opportunity for buyers. Owners in snow-bound states face haulout and storage...
Calling Mayday on an SSB
Based on US Coast Guard statistics, surprisingly few boaters enable the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) function on their VHF radio, or have it operating...
Annapolis 2015 Photo Album
They say a photo is worth a thousand words, so I'm not going to drag this one out with boat show blather. Better to...
Reflections on the Faux Teak Deck
Given the growing interest in synthetic deck material (our recent test of non-skid coatings and the 12-month update included several synthetics), well be looking...
Tuning In, Tuning Out
Earlier last month, I had the chance to join renowned sailing author Lin Pardey and survival expert Steve Callahan (author of Adrift: 76 Days...
Big News: A Little Girl and a Big Book
Ralph also carries out a large portion of our testing, including nearly all the tests of sailing hardware. In this area he is especially...
Florida’s Anchoring Debate Heats Up
Overall, the pilot mooring programs, including one in Practical Sailors home city of Sarasota, are yielding mixed results. In Sarasota, the first set of...
A Preview of the inReach Explorer
New portable satcom devices are popping up every spring and fall, and were trying to test them as quickly as they come in.Last month,...
The Great Leak Hunt
Enter the HammerA few years back, I reflected upon the dangers of hammers on boats. During our years in the islands, our 18-ounce framing...
HOW TO BUY A CHEAP SAILBOAT – $20,000 or less!
Buying a sailboat on a budget of $20,000 is easy! Today we’re looking at a Pearson 31, a Hunter 31, a Bristol 29.9, and...
Latest Sailboat Review
Catalina 34 Used Boat Review
American sailboat manufacturers have had their highs and lows, and many have dropped right off the map. But Catalina has been going strong for...