Repair, Tools & Materials

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...

Upgrading the C&C 33 Part I

In July 1990 we bought a 1975 C & C 33 to function as a test platform for Practical Sailor. We chose it above...

Upgrading the C&C 33 Part II

Part 2-For hull bottom and topside repair, we love our Porter-Cable random orbit sander and WEST System Microlight Fairing Compound. Micron CSC bottom paint...

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...

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...

Marine Maintenance: Multi-purpose Cleaners Test

One popular marine catalog dedicates 14 pages in its maintenance section to marine cleaners, polishes, and waxes. Within those pages exist dozens of specialty...

The Great Stickup: Practical Sailor Tests Marine Adhesives, Caulks, and Sealants

Putties and caulks originated as tar and tree sap, and probably were first used by Neolithic boatbuilders trying to keep water on the outside...

Are Mildew Preventers the Best Defense?

In January 2009, Practical Sailor tested 14 mold and mildew cleaners, and two household products stood out: the super-chlorinated Klean-Strip Mildew Stain Remover and...

Two-Part Teak Cleaners

In March 2008, we tested one-part teak cleaners to see which ones eased the burden of maintaining teak decks without being too harsh on...

K2r Works on Canvas, Carpet, and Teak

As all boatowners know, spills and stains are inevitable, particularly when you count children among your crew. Our heavily trafficked teak cabin soles and...

How to Clean Your Sail Track

Main sail giving you trouble? If hoisting or taking down your main sail is difficult, main sail track cleaning may be just what you...

Latest Sailboat Review

Cheoy Lee Clipper 36 & 42 Used Boat Review

Cheoy Lee Shipyards of Hong Kong has been a commercial builder since the early 1900s and is one of the first molders of fiberglass...