Folding vs. Feathering Props
For the past 40 years we've sailed an average of 10,000 miles annually between Australia, Alaska, Antarctica and Spitsbergen motoring or motorsailing between 400...
Educating the Sailor: Start Small
Learning to sail is simple. Thousands of youngsters perfect the essential small-boat skills over the course of a summer. Mastering the art of crossing...
Preventing Emergency Flare Fizzle
Weve been enjoying desert-dry gasoline for five years, courtesy of silica gel vent driers from H2OUT (see EPA Mandate Sparks Fuel-Vent Filter Test, Practical...
Simple Steps Will Keep Salt Out of the System
Depending on the collection area and the sailing, salt can be a primary problem. Spray falls and dries, layer after layer, until the decks...
Towing Generator Field Report
For free power when under sail on ocean passages, towing generators are hard to beat. In the early 1980s I purchased a first generation...
Winterizing Wisdom from the Chemistry Lab
Each winter sailors must tackle the project of winterizing their potable water system. Our preferred method is to dry the system completely (see PS...
Stopping Anchor Chain Twist
When an anchored boat spins, the anchor chain twists, and the anchor can come up backward. One solution is an anchor swivel, but failures...
Short Scope Anchor Test
In the process of our ongoing investigation on the effect of time and wind gusts on anchor setting and holding capacity, we performed limited...
Setting an Anchor in a Small Boat
In our ongoing study of ways to compare, and hopefully improve the way our anchors set, weve learned that it takes time and slow,...
Sleep Routines for Long Passages
The US Navy has finally gotten around to a serious study of watch standing schedules (https://goo.gl/dE4W4R). As an active duty Navy Medical Officer, I...
A Terrible Sailing Accident – SV Platino
This week, a cautionary tale of sailing vessel Platino. A sailing accident, equipment failure leading to dismasting and rescue. We discuss what led up...
Latest Sailboat Review
Beneteau First 375 Used Boat Review
A Mexican vacation with her husband had Debbie Bulk dreaming of a better way to see local village life, away from the regular tourist...