Sticky Situation
About 16 months ago, Practical Sailor kicked off a prolonged test of 23 caulks and sealants, which are so important to boat builders and...
A Fistful of Splicing Fids
While pre-spliced lines are easy to come by these days through marine chandleries, riggers, or the major rope suppliers, the sailors art of splicing...
Hand Abrasives Round-up
Back in the May 15, 2001, issue, PS published the results of an exhaustive test of sandpaper. (Good times, good times!) We used 80-grit...
Metal Cleaners
Recent issues of Practical Sailor have focused on the best products to clean and protect fiberglass. We’ve recently tested waxes, nonskid cleaners, waterline stain...
Star brite Tops Marine Rust Erasers
Most of us, at one time or another, have left the anchor chain on the bow or tools exposed to the elements—thus opening the...
Color Coated
In the chart of 2004, six of the 39 paints received Excellent overall ratings, and 10, including Awlgrip, received Good overall ratings. We thought...
Bye Bye Black Blight: PS Tests Streak Removers
Testers tried soap and water on the streaked transom—and then the household cleaner Fantastik—to be sure the streaks were up to snuff. They were....
The Bottom Paint Report
Indicative of the tangled web sailors enter when trying to select an anti-fouling paint, this year’s Practical Sailor anti-fouling paint test featured a huge...
The Bilge Cleaner Shakedown
If you were to closely inspect your bilge and identify what ends up there, you’d surmise that what we’ve referred to in past articles...
Vinyl Cleaners
You may not like it, but your boat is probably filled with vinyl. Some older cruising boats have vinyl-covered seat cushions packed into every...
Abandon Ship! Coast Guard Rescue Beneteau 523 in the Atlantic
What would cause the captain and crew to abandon ship in the Atlantic ocean? There was no sailboat disaster here, but a coast guard...
Latest Sailboat Review
J/109 Used Boat Review
The J/109 is a 35-ft. boat that races well and has some comforts for short term cruising. It is a true racer/cruiser. The first...