Marine SSB, Ham Radio, or Both?
It seems like it was just yesterday that amateur radio guru Gordon West was guiding Practical Sailor readers through the maze of marine single-sideband...
Finding the Right Mix of AntiFreeze
There is only one way to do that; measure the glycol as it comes out the other end of the plumbing. A $10 hydrometer...
Sticking with Teak
About two miles up the Lumut River in western Malaysia, a local entrepreneur known simply as Mr. Chan ran a small mooring field with...
Masthead Wind Sensors: Wired vs. Wireless
Does a wireless masthead wind indicator make sense? This is a good question, and there are certainly some pros and cons to consider. For...
Matchmaking: First Date for Garmin and B&G
Part three of our wind sensor test, coming in the August issue, allowed us to test the plug-and-play interoperability of marine electronics that are...
Is the Single-sideband Radio Still Relevant?
My wife Theresa and I, with only a VHF radio to reach the outside world, fell into the incommunicado category during our cruising days....
Cheeki Rafiki Loss Puts Spotlight on Keels-Again
If youve been following the tragic story of Cheeki Rafiki, the Beneteau First 40.7 that lost its keel with fatal consequences while crossing the...
Chain Jams and Other Anchor Windlass Woes
Sailing season is getting interesting here in Southwest Florida, with many local boats priming for jumps to the Caribbean-both east and west-or bound for...
Sun Protection and Sunscreen for Sailors
In terms of sun apparel, Ive become attached to my Coolibar travel shirt, a light button down. On the Javelin, or even in the...
Hobie Alter, Cheryl Tiegs and a Yard Full of Hobie Cats
Editor's note: My recent reflection on the impact of the late Hobie Alter on sailing and a call for Hobie stories apparently inspired PS...
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...