When Choosing Pilots, Err on Side of Caution
In a nutshell, autopilots have one main function: to assume control of a vessels steering and control its heading, be it a specific course...
Updating Onboard Electronics with N2K
A sailboat is no place for unnecessary complexity, which was the direction we were headed on my Beneteau 39, Breeze Pleeze, when it came...
Where Credit Is Due: April 2013
Raymarine and West MarineAbout six months ago, I bought a Raymarine Smart Controller remote for my autopilot. It is a great unit that I...
Practical Sailor Tillerpilot Test: the Simrad TP10 and the Raymarine ST1000 Plus
The last time Practical Sailor looked at tillerpilots (Sept. 1, 1996 and Jan. 1, 2001), testers concentrated on a series of bench tests evaluating...
The Hunt is on for a Quality, Well-placed Emergency Tiller
A decade ago, Practical Sailor editors began scouring boat shows for the perfect emergency tiller and an ideal stowage system for it. Little more...
Singlehanded Sailors Notebook
First sailed in 1978 and held in even-numbered years, the Singlehanded TransPac (SHTP) crosses 2,120 miles of Pacific Ocean from windy San Francisco Bay,...
Tillerpilots: Raytheon vs. Simrad
Tillerpilots and cockpit wheel pilots are the low-cost alternatives to belowdeck pilots that attach directly to the rudderstock and often employ hyraulic rams to...
PS Advisor 10/01/00
Rudder LeaksI read your rudder-rebuild article (February 1, 2000) with interest since I own a 1972 Ranger 33 with an original rudder. I have...
The Holes That Wouldnt Close
Viva, our 1975 Tartan 44 test boat, has, like most fiberglass boats, a hollow fiberglass rudder and skeg. The rudderstock is solid stainless steel,...
PS Advisor 09/01/00
Inflatable vs. Hard DinghyI have recently bought a nice, old 38' Shannon ketch, and she has dinghy davits. I have no dinghy, but am...
A Terrible Sailing Accident – SV Platino
This week, a cautionary tale of sailing vessel Platino. A sailing accident, equipment failure leading to dismasting and rescue. We discuss what led up...
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Beneteau First 375 Used Boat Review
A Mexican vacation with her husband had Debbie Bulk dreaming of a better way to see local village life, away from the regular tourist...