Shock Cord Hardware for Sailors
Every rope we have on board has its quirks when you’re trying to form a knot that won’t slip or come untied.
Dyneema is a...
It’s Hard to Beat Needle and Palm for Hand Stitching
Torn canvas is no fun for the sailor, but there is something uniquely satisfying about making repairs or hand-stitching new creations using needle and...
Stitching Awl vs. Leather Palm for Sail Repair
Got a small sail or canvas repair? “Get a Speedy Stitcher!” is common advice, though rarely from someone experienced in sail repair.
Sure, it seems...
The Best Gloves for the Boatyard
We choose our sailing gloves and deck shoes with great care, because they are our interface with the boat. The same goes for work...
Mailport: Sealant advice, sandblasting warning, tool bags
MORE 4000UV FAILURES
With regard to your recent report on the sudden failure of 3M 4000UV, I like the product for its resistance to UV...
Boat Repair in the Age of Plexus
Historically, fiberglass boat hulls and decks were molded separately, and then bonded at the deck seam. Bulkheads were added either with polyester or epoxy...
Choosing the Right Boat Glue
Any time I start researching glues, I can hear the voice of Old Man Parker from the classic film “A Christmas Story,” ringing in...
Clean and Shine Surprises
An entire category of cleaning agents has sprung up to deal with waterline stains, so we’re always curious about new products (see “Practical Sailor...
Rhumb Lines: Salute to the Miracle Glues
In a stick-built boat, a shipwright builds piece-by-piece the interior furnishing—lockers, berths, settees, etc. The interior structures on contemporary boats, by comparison, are often...
Are Boatbuilders Expecting Miracle Glues?
Don’t ask an adhesive to do more than it can. If a bolt breaks, we accept it as deterioration or faulty design, not a...
What’s the Best Sailboats for Beginners?
Are you interested in learning how to sail? What is the best sailboat to learn to sail on? Which boat should you buy first?...
Latest Sailboat Review
Ericson 41 Used Boat Review
Sailing the Salish Sea on Canada’s west coast is the dream of many a sailor. With a lifetime of sailing dinghies and messing about...