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Personal Gear & Apparel

The edges of open shade can read as high as 25 percent of sunlight when surrounded by a white deck. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

UV Clothing: Is It Worth the Hype?

Skin cancer is a real killer. It’s a rare sailor over 40 who hasn’t had spots removed or knows someone who has. The farther...

Preparing Yourself for Solo Sailing

Last week, I covered some of the things I suggest you need to think through on the boat before heading out solo. Now, what...

How to Select Crew for a Passage or Delivery

Lots of skippers—in fact probably most—do not want to sail solo and I am the last person to try to encourage them to change...

Preparing A Boat to Sail Solo

You have probably heard people say sailing solo is dangerous or irresponsible. How can you keep a proper watch? What happens if you have...

Re-sealing the Seams on Waterproof Fabrics

Rain gear can represent a substantial investment, and it always seems to start leaking long before the garment appears worn. Sometimes the coating wears...

Safer Sailing: Add Leg Loops to Your Harness

Recent fatalities involving racing sailors raised a long-simmering concern we've had regarding the harness and tether design, and the shortcomings of current design when...

Rethinking MOB Prevention

Man overboard gear standards are behind the times because the sample size is tiny and the facts surrounding an accident are often clouded and...

The Day Sailor’s First-Aid Kit

As a former ER nurse and a current family practice clinician, one of the topics I get asked about most frequently by my sailing...

Resurrecting Slippery Boat Shoes

More than a decade ago, we first reported on a problem with popular boat shoes. It didn’t matter which style they were—traditional topsiders or...

Shoe Goo’s Gift to Sailors

Every now and then, we find ourselves returning to tried and true products, curious if there is some overlooked application for sailors. It was...

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...
Fast Cruising Sailboat J 45 video from Practical Sailor

Fast Cruising Sailboat J 45

Latest Sailboat Review

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...