The Science of Headsails Part II
The right roller-furling headsail is as beneficial to a sailor as a good zoom lens is to a photographer. But just as the zoom...
Tame Bigger Breezes with a Forestaysail
Getting rid of the big genoa is usually easy thanks to roller furling, but what do you do then? Changing sails on the furling...
Is Your Quiver of Sails Sufficient?
There's no question that sailors heading offshore face a different set of challenges than those cruising coastal waters. And theres good reason that the...
Adding a Solent Stay
Whether you view it from the top down or the bottom up, a Solent rig needs to be carefully thought out, well-engineered, and strategically...
Untangling Furling-line Fairlead Logistics
Headsail furling on sailboats 40 feet and shorter should be able to be accomplished with a hand-over-hand pull on the furling line. If a...
Bulletproof Companionways
The used boat review of the Tartan 37 in the January 2015 issue mentioned that several companies specialize in producing bullet-proof companionway door arrangements...
Editors Tap Top Sailing Gear of the Year
ApparelGill OS2 fouliesIn early 2015, Practical Sailor tested mid-range, mens and womens foul-weather gear from Gill, Grundens, Helly Hansen, Henri Lloyd, and West Marine....
The Best of Bottom Paints
Spray-on WaxesThe December 2014 issue reported on our search for affordable spray waxes-liquid waxes that offer a glossy finish and some surface protection and...
VHFs, SSBs, and Reading the Weather
In the April 2015 issue, Practical Sailor evaluated four handheld VHF radios loaded with all the bells and whistles, including longer battery life, positive...
Anchor Swivels: Caution Required
Bearing FailureThe bearing where the two forks join and rotate is also prone to failure. Commonly, the bearing is a threaded stud set into...