25 Paints Make it Past the 24-month Mark
In July 2009, 61 samples of antifouling paints, including several new formulas, went into the water in Sarasota, Fla., for testing. This report and...
Semi-Annual Antifouling Paint-Test Checkup
EpaintEpaint has been doing well in PS tests recently. The company’s antifouling paints contain no copper, and historically no-copper paints have done well in...
Rating Paint Panels
The paint samples were applied to 6-foot-by-2-foot fiberglass panels for testing. Testers follow the makers’ instructions for preparation and application. There were 11 samples...
Baked-on Prop Coating Still Repelling Barnacles
Last November, we began field trials of Mussel Buster, a baked-on powder coating that relies on its slick, hard coating to prevent barnacles from...
Sodablasting 101
Owning a boat is an exercise in perspective. A gale can make a sailboat feel like a canoe, while the prospect of bottom paint...
A Mathematical Decision-maker
An easy way to compute the do-it-yourself labor commitment involved is by timing how long it takes to scrape clean two 1-square-foot patches. The...
Past Adventures with Chemical Strippers
Our foray into sodablasting follows years of testing several different ways to remove bottom paint. Although you can simply attack the bottom paint with...
The Best Marine Varnish: Exterior Wood Finish Tests
Like spotting land after a long passage, were glad to say that the end of our long-term exterior wood finishes test is finally on...
Whey Overdue for a Recoat
Practical Sailor often supplements panel testing with product challenges aboard our test boats to see whether top products still earn their keep in the...
Old Salt’s Anti-chafe Solution
Whether laced on for short-term use or stitched more permanently in place, the leather rode smoothly in chocks and prevented the hard edge of...
The ALL NEW Catalina 426 Full Tour
The Catalina 426 is the latest addition to Catalina’s renowned fleet, designed for sailors seeking a blend of performance, comfort, and versatility. This 42-foot...
Latest Sailboat Review
Martin 16 Used Boat Review
The Martin 16 is designed for adaptive sailing so people with disabilities can easily control sails and steering. It is an excellent choice for...