Carving Out Cores

A modified roofing nail is perhaps the most versatile tool for removing core when sealing fastener holes. It is much easier to control than...

Elastic Mooring Systems

When Hurricane Irma plowed through the Florida Keys, it left behind both a trail of destruction and a wealth of information for us to...

Screw types prove their mettle in load testing.

The mechanics at work at the other end of your mooring line matter as much as the mooring line and pendant. In 2009, Practical...

Most well-made cleats fit the bill, but beware.

In the 90s, the Boat US Foundation performed a study of deck cleat strength. Testing was performed using 6-inch cleats of a number of...

Regalvanizing G70 Chain

As high tensile G70 chain becomes more prevalent in the marine market, Practical Sailor has been busy testing the limits of this material, which...

An Inquiry into Anchor Angles

Designers of boat anchors deal in a handful of variables. The holding capacity of an anchor derives from its fluke, particularly the flukes size,...

In Search of the Ultimate Boat Hook

The basic design of the humble boat hook hasn't changed much over the years, but it has seen upgrades in construction and materials, along...

Keeping Ice at Bay

Southern sailors often put their boats away for a few months when the water gets a little cool. Northern sailors have a more definitive...

Installation Tips for Deicers

When it comes to deicers, proper installation is key. Here are some tips to ensure your setup will optimize ice removal.The deicer should be...

Anchor Shackles Round II

In our recent investigation into anchor shackles, Anchor Shackles, the $15 Insurance Policy (PS August 2015 online), we were aware that our sampling lacked...

Sailboat Cost of Ownership – New York, Vermont, Ontario, Quebec

Interested in buying a sailboat but worried about the cost of ownership? Things like sailboat maintenance, marina or yacht club yearly fees, parts and...

Latest Sailboat Review

Grampian 26 Used Boat Review

The first fiberglass auxiliary sailboats were built in the late 1950s; for the record, the first was the 40-foot Philip Rhodes-designed Bounty II (1956),...