Diesel Engines

A Foursome of Eights

In last month's issue we reviewed three four-horsepower four-stroke engines (which really amounted to six engines in all, since a couple of the same...

Four-Horse Four-Stroke Run-Off

In March of this year, Practical Sailor covered small four-stroke engines in a market scan of the 4- to 9.9-horsepower range. This roundup featured...

Bio-Diesel: Nice Fuel if You Can Find It

I have heard it suggested that we use soy oil for diesel engines. I have a 3-cylinder Universal diesel and was wondering if you...

Small Four-Stroke Outboards

As most of us know by now, 4-stroke engines are cleaner, quieter, and more fuel-efficient than their two-stroke cousins. A 4-stroke is like...

HUM Bugs vs. the Pristine Tank

What is the crud that, if left to have its way, can foul your filters, starve the fuel pump, and bring your diesel engine...

Deck-Fill Fuel Filters

Any analysis of the simple act of pouring an oily liquid called"Number Two Diesel" in your fuel tank can get very complicated. What's coming...

Silence of the Engines

The Westerbeke 4-107 had been through three owners by the time I got it. It had plenty of hours on it, and somewhere along...

Diesel Mechanics’ Forum

Ghosting along in a bit of breeze, everything silent except for that hiss and burble of bubbles polishing the counter—that's one of the powerful...

Electric Propulsion: Solomon Technologies’ High-Wire Act

As much as we like to believe that we're purists when it comes to sailing, the auxiliary engine is obviously very important to most...

PS Advisor: July 2001

Lexan vs. PlexiIm planning to replace my wooden companionway boards with translucent plastic. Is there a difference between Lexan and plexiglass? Can both be...

The BEST and WORST Boat Washing Machines

Are you looking into how to wash clothes on a boat? I set out to figure out which washing machine to install on my...

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...