DIY Stability Check?
When the waves kick up, you can’t help thinking about ultimate stability. Am I feeling form stability, the stability that relies on the boat’s...
Sailboat Stability Uncensored
At its most basic level, my goal as a sailor is pretty simple: keep my neck above water. Speed, comfort, progress toward a destination...
When Water Makes Sense Against Fire
We’ve never been entirely satisfied with dry chemical fire extinguishers for marine use. We’ve used them on petroleum and electrical fires in refinery settings,...
In Search of the $50 Rescue Float
Recovering a person in the water is a daunting problem. If the seas are rough enough to fall overboard, it’s not easy to hold...
Rhumb Lines: Kill Switches Save Lives
In the wake of a terrible tragedy that struck a few days before Thanksgiving in Sarasota, Florida, home of the Sarasota Youth Sailing Program...
The Tragedy of the Driverless Dinghy
In the wake of a terrible tragedy that struck a few days before Thanksgiving in Sarasota, Florida, home of the Sarasota Youth Sailing Program...
Underwater Epoxy Test
Although laminating epoxies can tolerate some moisture, we know that excessive moisture can prevent a good cure. So how can we manage an emergency...
Rhumb Lines: Saluting the Practical Sailor Staff
It’s that time of year when I express my heartfelt appreciation for people behind this magazine. This year, I’m especially grateful for two sailors...
New Safety Switches for Outboard Motors
Buried deep within the recesses of the 2020 US Coast Guard reauthorization bill is a requirement that if a boat is planing or moving...
Rhumb Lines: Focusing on the Essentials
I truly believe that the experience of a long ocean passage on a small boat can change one’s view of the world and inspire...
The Best Way to Live on a Boat in the Florida...
While it is legal to live on a boat in the Florida Keys, it’s not always easy. Today we talk about anchoring vs mooring...
Latest Sailboat Review
Catalina 34 Used Boat Review
American sailboat manufacturers have had their highs and lows, and many have dropped right off the map. But Catalina has been going strong for...