Subscriber Only - Practical Sailor

Greenboats laying flax fabric to construct the MB9 monohull, which is entirely constructed from Natural Fibre Composites (NFCs). Photo courtesy of Greenboats.

Considering Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Sheathing

Subscriber Only March 17, 2025

As we explore material legacies and evolution with a regenerative lens for our Wharram Narai Mk IV build, the focus now shifts to sheathing...

The Schaefer SnapFurl CF-500 furling system has a two-piece PVC luff foil, which snaps together over the forestay. The author discovered the plastic extrusion to be prone to twisting, particularly when reefing or furling the sail in high winds. (Photo/ Doug Henschen)

Schaefer SnapFurl: Gear Graveyard

Subscriber Only March 17, 2025

Sailors looking to add or replace a headsail furling system on a daysailer or small cruising boat in the 16-foot to 28-foot range will...

Morgan Out Island 36 Used Boat Review

Subscriber Only March 12, 2025

Most are familiar with Charles Morgan and his Out Island 41, primarily made to cruise and charter in the Bahamas, but not many are...

An elegant swim platform is a helpful feature for warmer waters. The Hanse 360's folding swim step automatically lowers and raises. (Photo courtesy of Hanse Yachts)

Transom Design Through the Ages

Subscriber Only March 10, 2025

If you pay even the slightest attention to the shape of the sailboats on the water, in marinas, or at boat shows, you are...

Hauling Jamie up the mast. Sailing Totem's Behan Gifford says she’s a much happier human being when on a boat.

Finding Balance: Mental Health on the Water

Subscriber Only March 10, 2025

For many of us who spend time on the water, there’s an intuitive understanding that sailing impacts our mental well-being. Whether it’s the meditative...

16,000 BTU Citimarine AC unit installed to replace a Dometic unit. Dometic did not have a replacement available due to supply-chain issues as a result of the pandemic. (Photo/ Phil Decker)

Where Credit Is Due: Citimarine Air Conditioner Customer Service

Subscriber Only March 3, 2025

I first became aware of Citimarine when the old 16,000 BTU Dometic air conditioner on my 1998 Catalina 380 failed during the pandemic. Air...

Learn how to beat range anxiety and make the most of your electric outboard's capabilities. (Photo courtesy of ePropulsion)

Electric Outboard Charging Tips

Subscriber Only March 3, 2025

Somewhere around the third carburetor rebuild for our 3.3 hp four stroke dinghy outboard, I decided enough is enough. Four stroke outboards are supposed...

The hull, rudder, keel and prop should be clean and dry. This 1982 Mirage 33 was perfectly prepared. (Photo/ Ray Ville)

How To Prepare Your Boat for a Survey

Subscriber Only February 24, 2025

You’ve decided to proceed with a pre-purchase survey for your potential sailboat and are working with the seller to get their lowest price. A...

Islander Bahama 30 Used Boat Review

Subscriber Only February 24, 2025

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...

The batteries pictured are Rolls S6 250 flooded cells, nominally 281 a/hr. They came with the boat and are of unknown age but currently seem to work OK. They are not the cell I would pick as they are a lightweight battery. The clue is that the spec sheet gives a CCA number. True deep cycle cells don't have that. The taller L16-EX is rated at three times the cycle life, about 3,750 cycles to 50% DoD compared to these at 2,000. You really do need to look at the full spec to know what you are getting! In Canada these are currently around $320 com-pared to the L16 at $590. The black battery is the starter battery which is a simple H/D car battery that starts the engine and supplies the windlass. (Photo/ Roland Stockham)

House Battery Bank Replacement: What to Consider

Subscriber Only February 24, 2025

Replacing a battery bank on a cruising sailboat requires a myriad of choices—driven by one overriding goal. What are you hoping to power with...

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Sailboat Reviews

Cape Dory 30 Used Boat Review

April 2, 2025

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