The Rig: Keep it Standing
When was the last time you went carefully over every detail of your boat’s rig? The chances are good that it may have been...
The Canvas Air-Conditioner
Even the most dedicated sun worshipper craves shade after a bright, hot day on the water. For those of us whose goals include keeping...
Tiller Taming with Two Fingers
During the past decade, Practical Sailor has looked at a number of devices designed to hold the tiller while the helmsman can attend to...
Mailport: December 2010
I thought the letter in the November 2010 Mailport about how black antifouling paint worked better than other colors was interesting. I have not...
Testers Examine Running Rigging Options
The first sign of cordage use dates back about 28,000 years. Archeological findings in Europe have carbon dating confirmation of twine imprints found in...
PS Advisor: Rig Loads and Reefing Lines
Recently, while working to add third-reef controls to the mainsail reefing on my Morgan 382, I realized I had no idea how to calculate...
The State of the Main: A Look at Sail Materials and Sailmaking Methods
Sailmakers around the world have been printing up new business cards even though they continue to work for the same franchised lofts. Their new...
Practical Sailor Tests Bosun Chairs and Harnesses
The world is divided into two types of sailors: Those who have no qualms scrambling up the ratlines to replace a bad anchor light,...
Eight Sailboat Cam Cleats Tested on Doomsday Device
Cam cleats are everywhere on sailboats. You can hardly put a hand near a modern rig without touching one. They really are useful little...
Cape Dory 25 Do-It-Yourself Refit
Regular Practical Sailor readers may have noticed that we have a thing for Cape Dory boats. We have three in our test fleet: two...
A Fast Small Sailboat from Saffier
If you're looking for a fast sailboat to use as a day sailer, then Saffier Yachts may have just the sailboat to buy. With...
Latest Sailboat Review
Grampian 26 Used Boat Review
The first fiberglass auxiliary sailboats were built in the late 1950s; for the record, the first was the 40-foot Philip Rhodes-designed Bounty II (1956),...