DIY Projects

Stop That Leak!

The trick is to choose the right one. Some sealants get hard enough to sand or drill, and others stay supple. Some will stick...

Stemming Troublesome Deck Leaks

There are many perfectly sound, watertight joints today on boats built up to 30 years ago. Then, as now, good workmanship begat durability.Still, if...

Chasing Deck Leaks – Painting Non-Skid Decks

Chasing Deck LeaksOur Islander 36 has a padded vinyl headliner. Leaks are very difficult to locate. The boatyard has pumped air into the boat...

Any Boat They Can Build, You Can Make Better

When the 28’ Pearson Triton appeared on the market in 1959, a revolution began in the boatbuilding industry. Fiberglass made economical mass production of...

How to Restore Teak Wood on Boats

Probably nothing can make or break the appearance of a fiberglass boat more quickly than the appearance of the exterior teak trim. Contrary to...

Keels: Minor Maintenance and Repair

The best way to treat an iron keel that’s rusting is to sandblast the whole thing and apply a complete, new, epoxy-based coating system....

Two Ways to Build a Teak Cockpit Grating

A snug-fitting teak grating adds safety and a touch of class to the cockpit of any boat. Spray or rain runs under the grating...

Battery Care Pays Off

Among the more neglected pieces of gear aboard most boats are the primary storage batteries, which faithfully crank the engine and light the lights....

Maintaining Your Boat’s Electrical System

The battery is the heart of a boat’s 12-volt electrical system. In it, a chemical reaction maintains a  potential difference or voltage, which “pumps”...

Maintaining Your Boat’s Electrical System

The battery is the heart of a boat’s 12-volt electrical system. In it, a chemical reaction maintains a  potential difference or voltage, which “pumps”...

Choosing Anodes for Your Sailboat

Anodes for your sailboat come in a lot of shapes and sizes. Choosing the right anode to avoid galvanic corrosion and protect your boat...

Latest Sailboat Review

Hans Christian 34/36

The story of the Hans Christian 34 and 36, and their successors, is a microcosm of the history of the Taiwan/U.S. boatbuilding industry. That...