The Big Chill: Preparing to Sail Through Winter
For the first year since escaping New England to take the helm of Practical Sailor in 2005, I’ll be experiencing a true autumn, this time...
Adventures in Onboard Coffee-making
A few years ago, a gourmet coffee maker contacted us about a new blend it had developed especially for sailors. As I recall, the...
Refinishing Your Boat’s Non-skid Deck
Although you can allow your varnish and hull paint to fade, crack, or peel with no more penalty than the disdain of those who...
Connecting Very Small Wires on Boats
If new LEDs or marine electronics are your horizon, you'll soon find yourself tangling with tiny wire connections that seem so fragile it's hard...
Building a Better Boat Fender
My main problem with boat fenders is that they appear to violate the cardinal rule of cruising: any object you bring on the boat...
Engine Spares for the Cruising Sailor
Cruising sailors rely on their engines a lot more than they like to admit. Although the internet has helped close the gap between parts...
Improving Roller Furling Efficiency
Over the years, Practical Sailor testers have dug into the topic of roller furling gear—one of the most popular upgrades on an older boat....
Defeating Bacteria in Your Diesel Fuel
We've ensured that we're taking on good, high quality fuel and we're even pre-filtering it, yet still our filters clog quicker than they ever...
Diesel Fuel Polishing Systems
If you plan on doing some long-term cruising with an auxiliary diesel, and expect to be picking up fuel in out of the way...
Upgrading the Cruising Mainsail
Autumn can be a slower time for many sailmakers, so if you are planning on having a new sail made before next spring, now...
The 51 Foot Wharram Catamaran He Finally Found!
If you’ve ever wanted to build your own sailboat, you’ve undoubtedly come across Wharram Catamarans. These home-built DIY sailboat plans are a big hit...
Latest Sailboat Review
Vancouver 27 Used Boat Review
I was single handed on our Islander Bahama 30 on a spectacular fall afternoon, white caps dancing on the blue waters of Plumper Sound...