Lifejackets Harnesses

International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Guidelines to Jacklines

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF), the world governing body for the sport of sailing, has established clear guidelines for ISAF-sanctioned events, and these are...

Jackline Installation Advice

Material selection is just one of many details regarding jacklines that deserve careful thought. If you are re-installing your jacklines, be sure to read...

Where Credit Is Due: August 2013

Water Witch Two years ago, I purchased a Water Witch bilge pump switch. When it developed a glitch, I called Kathleen at Water Witch...

Life Jackets for Active, Racing Sailors

Practical Sailor has long lamented the lack of imagination in the design of personal flotation devices (PFDs), and part of the reason for this...

Mailport: July 2013

A few issues ago, you had a short article on deck hardware (blocks, traveler, cars, etc.) that included Garhauer, and you mentioned that the...

Kids Life Jackets for Active Sailors

With the hopes of sparing parents the hassle of sifting through all the varieties of youth life jackets on the market today, weve narrowed...

Practical Tips for Survival at Sea

Editors Note: Michael Tougias is the author of several books on true survival stories, including Ten Hours Until Dawn, The Finest Hours (soon to...

The Science of Safety

We got some heartbreaking news just before this issue was on its way to the printer: On May 9, British Olympic sailing medalist Andrew...

Mailport: April 2013

I would like your comment on what I believe may be a safety issue with one of the Marinco EEL 30-amp shore-power cords (PS,...

Practical Sailor PFD Research Looks at Capsizes

After a series of tragic accidents involving sailors in organized sailing events and training programs in 2011 and 2012, Practical Sailor initiated research into...

The 51 Foot Wharram Catamaran He Finally Found!

If you’ve ever wanted to build your own sailboat, you’ve undoubtedly come across Wharram Catamarans. These home-built DIY sailboat plans are a big hit...

Latest Sailboat Review

Vancouver 27 Used Boat Review

I was single handed on our Islander Bahama 30 on a spectacular fall afternoon, white caps dancing on the blue waters of Plumper Sound...