Stitching Instead of Splicing
Splicing is king in any discussion of line termination. By carefully tucking cover and core back into the line, or weaving strands in laid...
Break and Break Again
All lines were broken once to determine approximate breaking strength without a stitched eye. A simple chain fall and load cell provided a means...
Other Stitching Techniques that Work Well
We principally looked at three means of seizing an eye without splicing-basting, round-stitching, and seizing-used alone and in combination. Round stitching is described in...
Getting to the Top
As Practical Sailor's testers found out during its test of bosun chairs, there are times when getting to the top of a mast is...
Chandlery: October 2014
It draws only 0.45 amps at 110 volts (or 4 amps at 12 volts, if we bypass the converter), a minimal loss. Using a...
Mainsail Halyard Shackles
A mainsail halyard shackle needs to be as reliable as an on/off switch on a table saw. Its a one-act pony thats counted on...
A Look at Silicon Bronze Versus Stainless Steel
As we embarked on our extensive test of halyard shackles, we were reminded of the longevity of silicon-bronze hardware. Silicon bronze should not be...
Reasons to Stick with Teak
About two miles up the Lumut River in western Malaysia, a local entrepreneur known simply as Mr. Chan ran a small mooring field with...
The Media on the Bounty
The events have been well-publicized, but it was Michael Tougias and Douglas Campbells retelling of the tragedy in the Rescue of the Bounty: Disaster...
Tylaska Tops in Snap Shackles
What we testedAll of the tested snap shackles were fabricated from stainless steel. Some of the parts were investment cast, while others were machined...
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...
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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...