Marine Water Heater Test
Raritan 1706Raritans units are made in the U.S. (the only in our test), so finding hose barbs or other plumbing fixtures to fit the...
Mix of Water, Amps, and Heat Calls for Caution
It is surprising to see equipment with no moving parts carry such an array of safety warnings. But any time water and higher-voltage AC...
Installing Water Heaters
The physical installation of a water heater may seem pretty straightforward, but the devil is indeed in the details. It starts prior to purchase...
Construction Quality Draws Testers Attention
Holdover capacity was a measure of how well a water heater retained heat after it had been raised to 120 degrees. We simply allowed...
The Fight Against Head Odors Continues
Homemade Vent FilterDimensionally identical to the SaniGard, the vent filter we built was also based on 12 inches of 2-inch PVC pipe. We tapped...
The Results of our Mini Test Tank Autopsies
When we wrapped up the testing of the miniature holding tanks after 30 months, we were tempted to just pitch the whole lot in...
Tender Tows: What A Drag
How much does towing the tender slow me down? Also, long or short painter? Outboard down, up, or on the rail? Obviously, there are...
Updating Onboard Electronics with N2K
A sailboat is no place for unnecessary complexity, which was the direction we were headed on my Beneteau 39, Breeze Pleeze, when it came...
Mailport: September 2013
In response to Whats in the Practical Sailor Toolbag? (PS, January 2012): How about a list of tools that a live-aboard cruiser should carry?...
Spreader Light Test
Sailors often have a love-hate relationship with spreader lights. On one hand, they can turn a dark deck into broad daylight, making whatever task...
HOW TO BUY A CHEAP SAILBOAT – $20,000 or less!
Buying a sailboat on a budget of $20,000 is easy! Today we’re looking at a Pearson 31, a Hunter 31, a Bristol 29.9, and...
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Catalina 34 Used Boat Review
American sailboat manufacturers have had their highs and lows, and many have dropped right off the map. But Catalina has been going strong for...