Sails, Rigging & Deck Gear

Rugged Winch Handle Holders

In 40 years of sailing I’ve lost only two winch handles. I was reefing the main when I lost the first. I reached up...

Liquid Chafe Protection

We recently learned that Spinlock RP25, one of our favorite cordage treatment used to prevent chafe and to improve grip in jammers has been...

Ultra Fairleads and Soft Padeyes

If a line does not approach a cam cleat close to level, the line may slip out or be hard to cleat or release....

Mailport: Winch Maintenance, Painting Jib, DIY Mainsail Cover

BLANKET WINCH SERVICE Regarding your blog post “Simple Tips on Servicing Your Sailboat Winches,” I do my winches every two years when the boat is...

The Science of Stern Anchoring

Sailboats yaw at anchor. In prior reports we discussed seriously yawing can compromise anchor security, and we talked about how a riding sail can...

Unwrapping the Revealing Capstan Equation

High-strength, high-tech fibers have transformed so many aspects of sailing—sometimes in ways we might not even recognize. Consider the way these new fibers behave...

Better Winch Grip

Winches are the power behind the sails. A dinghy can use a 2:1 tackle to sheet in the jib, but greater purchase than that...

Line Stowage Bags and Hooks

Sailboat cockpits will happily collect spaghetti if we let them, each sheet, halyard, and new control line adding to the confusion. The chaos is...
boom brake

Be Careful with Boom Brakes

I love the idea of a preventer that can be engaged by pulling on just one line and that can be eased just as...
jibe prevention

Controlling Jibes and Case Studies

We are vehemently against using a boom brake to prevent a jibe. Even using them to control a jibe introduces problems, requiring that we...

Lagoon’s WILD NEW 43 Footer is Replacing the 42!

Are you interested in chartering a catamaran sailboat? This is Lagoons new entry level cat. The 43, and while you can still buy a...

Latest Sailboat Review

Cape Dory 30 Used Boat Review

When the Cape Dory 30 entered production in 1976, it was the largest boat in the expanding line of the Taunton, Massachusetts boatbuilder. In...