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...
Anchor Resetting Tests
Practical Sailor has carried out dozens of anchor tests over the years. The majority of these tests have compared the ability of various anchor...
Attack of the Zebra Mussel
For 20-plus years, I have removed my mooring buoy from the water at the end of the sailing season on Lake Champlain. This year,...
Life Rafts, Pride, and Prejudice
My cruising life often seems like a string of disasters narrowly averted-storms, reefs, mechanical failures, bad enchiladas-but the most frightening near miss (apropos of...
The Custom Winter Cover
We now have a boat-an Allied Seabreeze 35 sloop, hull number 23, from 1965-and overall, its a well-kept and sea-kindly boat. Winter is coming,...
Round 2: Chafe Gear for Mooring and Dock Lines
What we foundWhen this second round of testing was completed, the results didnt significantly alter testers opinions. For price, ease of use, and durability,...
X Yachts X43 Sailboat Tour
Are you interested in a 40 foot performance cruising sailboat? Looking for an X-Yachts sailboat? Join us today for a sailboat tour of the...
Latest Sailboat Review
Island Packet 350 Used Boat Review
The current tally of Island Packets—"More than 1,800 sold"—is impressive for any boatbuilding company. Just over 20 years ago the first boats in the...