Anchor Snubber Shock Load Test

RecommendationsSnubbers need to be attached to a strong point, a deck cleat, or Samson post. Deployment often depends on the layout of your boat....

Superlight Anchors: Not Just for Racers

How important is an anchor aboard a racing sailboat? Just ask Swiss sailor Bernard Stamm who was disqualified from the 2008-2009 Vendee Globe Around...

Where Credit Is Due: September 2013

Alpenglow I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to (and recommendation of) the folks at Alpenglow Lights (www.alpenglowlights.com). We have...

All is Lost and Found

A photographer friend stumbled upon this photo of my wife, Theresa, from our cruising days. It was taken in Fiji around 1995. She doesn't...

Shockles Snubber Test

The string of anchor tests weve carried out in the last year (PS, May 2012, February 2013, April 2013, and May 2013) presented a...

Mailport: June 2013

How thick is too thick for the buildup of old layers of bottom paint? This question arises because I have just finished painting the...

Anchor Tests: Bending More Shanks

Benefits of BuryingBy comparing these field tests to the controlled, graduated loading tests that we carried out for the April 2013 article, it seems...

Bends and Breaks: Anchor Shank Strength

As more and more anchor-makers source their materials and move their fabricating offshore, Practical Sailor has been fielding an increasing number of questions regarding...

A Second Look at Anchor Tests

Anchor testing at Practical Sailor has always been a controversial enterprise, sure to fire up someone. As one reader commented in response our most...

The Hassles of Hockles

Taking the advice of a PS review, I installed a Lewmar V2 windlass on my boat in 2008. I went with the installers recommendation...

The Boat From True Spirit – Sparkman & Stephens

True Spirit is a 2023 Australian biographical drama film directed by Sarah Spillane and written by Spillane, Cathy Randall, and Rebecca Banner. The film...

Latest Sailboat Review

Beneteau 311, Catalina 310 and Hunter 326 Used Boat Comparison

In an ideal world, all sailors would start in prams at the age of six, then move to small, forgivingsloops, and then one-design racingboats,...