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...
Boat Test: The Last Sabre 34 Mark II
PerformanceAt the end of the day, the reason to look at the Sabre 34 is two-fold: quality of construction and performance. We sailed a...
The San Juan 24
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Clark Boat Co. jumped on the trailer sailer bandwagon, and became a successful player in this...
Used Boat Review: Gulfstar 36
Gulfstar Yachts, which produced 2,500 boats in the 1970s and 1980s, was launched and managed by Vincent Lazzara. Lazzara was one of the early...
Seawind 950: Some Assembly Required
Seawind Catamarans, Australias most successful sail-yacht builder, introduced its new Seawind 950 catamaran last May. Seawind, which recently bought trimaran-maker Corsair, has been building...
The Pros and Cons of a Plumb Bow
ConclusionAs we have often pointed out, yacht design is a cascade of compromises and tradeoffs that allow one attribute to be emphasized at the...
EPA Mandate Sparks Fuel-vent Filter Test
Photo by Drew Frye
Every day, as the temperature rises and falls, gases inside your fuel tank expand and contract. The gas emissions released during...
A Look at Sailboat Design: Fin Keels vs. Full Keels
External BallastPerformance-oriented sailors and race-boat designers quickly latched on to hull shapes marked by deep-draft, foil-shaped, high-aspect ratio fin keels. From the late 60s...
PS Boat Review: Island Packet Estero
SystemsJohnson brings his engineering expertise to bear on the Estero’s mechanical systems. The conventional drive train is the most sensible choice for long-term cruising....
Estero’s solid FRP hull, balsa-free deck is built to last
Island Packet Yachts has been building cruising boats for over 32 years. It builds five different hull designs—about 80 boats per year—to American Boat...
The ALL NEW Catalina 426 Full Tour
The Catalina 426 is the latest addition to Catalina’s renowned fleet, designed for sailors seeking a blend of performance, comfort, and versatility. This 42-foot...
Latest Sailboat Review
Martin 16 Used Boat Review
The Martin 16 is designed for adaptive sailing so people with disabilities can easily control sails and steering. It is an excellent choice for...