Practical Sailor’s 2011 Gear of the Year Picks
Pressure CookerOur Gear of the Year galley pick is the Kuhn Rikon Duromatic spring-valve pressure cooker. Pressure cookers are the cruiser’s answer to the...
West Marine Issues Rocna Spec Notice
In the wake of questions about the tensile strength of steel used in the shafts of Rocna anchors, West Marine has issued “product specification...
Anchor Chain Advice
I sail an Areodyne 38 in New England, primarily on weekends and a two-week annual cruise. I use 25 feet of 5/8-inch chain with...
Where Credit is Due: September 2011
Anchored out on our Cape Dory 30, my wife and I were just filling our coffee pot when we heard a large “pop,” and...
Practical Sailor’s Reader-recommended Sailmakers
GlobalDoyleEvolution SailsFar East SailsHalsey LidgardHood SailmakersIsland Planet SailsLee SailsMauri Pro SailingMauri SailsNorth SailsQuantum Sail Design GroupRolly Tasker SailsUK-HalseyUllman Sails CanadaNorth Sails TorontoTriton SailsNorth Sails VancouverNorth...
Buyers Guide: Choosing a New Cruising Main
The mainsail of our Chesapeake Bay test boat was intact, but, after exhausting every life-extending option available—including patches, repairs, re-stitching, and tune ups—it became...
The Art of Building with Thermal-setting Plastics
One of the themes seen among the new entries is a trend toward thermal-setting rather than thermal-fixing plastic construction. The latter is representative of...
Local Loft Versus Web-based Service
Not every sailor has a selection of local sailmakers to choose from. He or she must instead rely on Internet research and phone conversations...
Sailmaker Survey Reveals Readers’ Favorites
Ullman (www.ullmansails.com) – Fifteen respondents said thy used lofts affiliated with Ullman Sails, with the vast majority (11) coming from Deltaville, Va. Four of...
Sailmaker Survey Reveals Readers Favorites
Ullman (www.ullmansails.com) – Fifteen respondents said thy used lofts affiliated with Ullman Sails, with the vast majority (11) coming from Deltaville, Va. Four of...
Com-Pac Sailboats – Everything You Need to Know
Are you looking for a trailerable sailboat? With Com-Pac's Mastendr system and stainless-steel centerboards, they might be the best trailer sailboats of all! Com-Pac...
Latest Sailboat Review
Islander Bahama 30 Used Boat Review
More than a few years ago my wife Carey and I were looking to move up from our O’Day 25 to something a little...