Facebook Instagram RSS Twitter
Sign in
  • Login
  • Sailboat Reviews
    • Multihulls
    • New Sailboats
    • Sailboats 21-30ft
    • Sailboats 31-35ft
    • Sailboats 36-40ft
    • Sailboats Over 40ft
    • Sailboats Under 21feet
    • used_sailboats
  • Marine Electronics
    • Apps and Computer Programs
    • Autopilots
    • Communications
    • Fishfinders
    • Handheld Electronics
    • Plotters MFDS Rradar
    • Wind, Speed & Depth Instruments
  • Sails, Rigging & Deck Gear
    • Anchoring Mooring
    • Running Rigging
    • Sails Canvas
    • Standing Rigging
  • Systems & Propulsion
    • Diesel Engines
    • Electrical
    • Off Grid Energy
    • Outboards
    • Plumbing
  • Boat Maintenance
    • Cleaning Waxing
    • DIY Projects
    • Paints
    • Repair, Tools & Materials
    • Spare Parts
    • Tools & Gadgets
  • Belowdecks & Amenities
    • Cabin Comfort
    • Galley
    • Ventilation
  • Personal Gear & Apparel
    • Footwear Apparel
    • Foul Weather Gear
    • Optics
  • Mailport & PS Advisor
  • Inside Practical Sailor Blog
  • View Cart
Sign in
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Privacy Policy
Password recovery
Recover your password
Search
  • Activate My Web Access
  • My Account
  • Reset Password
  • Customer Service
  • Log in
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy Policy
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
Practical Sailor
  • About Us
  • Free Newsletter
  • Bookstore
  • YouTube
  • Join
  • Login
  • Sailboat Reviews
    • AllMultihullsNew SailboatsSailboats 21-30ftSailboats 31-35ftSailboats 36-40ftSailboats Over 40ftSailboats Under 21feetused_sailboats

      Cape Dory 30 Used Boat Review

      Hunter 33 (Hunter E33) Used Boat Review

      Beneteau 46 Used Boat Review

      Morgan Out Island 36 Used Boat Review

  • Marine Electronics
    • AllApps and Computer ProgramsAutopilotsCommunicationsFishfindersHandheld ElectronicsPlotters MFDS RradarWind, Speed & Depth Instruments

      Small Wire Connections: Best Methods

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

      Electric Outboard Charging Tips

      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

      Although the cause of this delaminated rudder is unknown, In most cases the delamination comes with age. Also, a small nick from hitting a rock or coral will let water in and, if not attended too, the delamination will worsen in time. (Photo/ Ray Ville)

      Pre-Purchase or Insurance Survey: Which One Do I Need?

  • Sails, Rigging & Deck Gear
    • AllAnchoring MooringRunning RiggingSails CanvasStanding Rigging

      Bluewater Design: Weight and Dynamic Stability

      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

      Advice on Buying a Pre-Owned Anchor

      Mud Anchoring Wisdom

  • Systems & Propulsion
    • AllDiesel EnginesElectricalOff Grid EnergyOutboardsPlumbing

      Small Wire Connections: Best Methods

      Green Grease is Practical Sailor's Top Choice for electrical connector grease. Ensure your electrical connections are protected against corrosion with an effective waterproof grease, rather than a conductive grease.

      Conductive Greases vs. Corrosion

      Avoiding Kinks in Flexible Hose Plumbing

      Seacocks for Thin Hulls

  • Boat Maintenance
    • AllCleaning WaxingDIY ProjectsPaintsRepair, Tools & MaterialsSpare PartsTools & Gadgets
      This DC panel was tagged as being a fire hazard, which should be at the top of your list in terms of project priorities. (Photo/ Ray Ville)

      How to Prioritize Projects on Your New-To-You Boat

      The captain made a navigational miscalculation so this 2005 Sabre 386 rested on a shelf just outside Cameleon Harbour in British Columbia for the tide to return. As a result of this temporary grounding, seagrass entered and blocked a through-hull. Identifying details have been omitted at the request of the captain. (Photo/ Bert Vermeer)

      Plugged Through Hull Solution

      Small Wire Connections: Best Methods

      YouTube Sailing: Eight Videos Packed with Practical Knowledge

  • Belowdecks & Amenities
    • AllCabin ComfortGalleyVentilation
      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

      Top Fire Blankets for the Offshore Sailor

      Hella Marine Euro150 LED

      Solid Choices for LED Cabin Lights

      Simple Lithium for Outboard-Powered Tenders, Daysailers, and Sport Boats

  • Personal Gear & Apparel
    • AllFootwear ApparelFoul Weather GearOptics
      Fujinon 14x40 Techno-Stabi. Photo courtesy of Fujifilm.

      Marine Binoculars Guide

      Five Best Cheap Clothing Options for Cold-Weather Sailing

      Custom-built cylinder storage racks make accessing cylinders easy. (Photo/ Eileen Council)

      How to Scuba from Your Boat

      You don't need to keep a full-size SCUBA tank onboard for underwater emergencies. Mini SCUBA tanks like this Spare Air don't take up much storage space, and offer sailors the ability to dive on an anchor or work on the prop longer than you'd be able to with snorkel alone.

      Compact Scuba Kits for Sailors

  • Mailport & PS Advisor
  • Inside Practical Sailor Blog
    • The captain made a navigational miscalculation so this 2005 Sabre 386 rested on a shelf just outside Cameleon Harbour in British Columbia for the tide to return. As a result of this temporary grounding, seagrass entered and blocked a through-hull. Identifying details have been omitted at the request of the captain. (Photo/ Bert Vermeer)

      Plugged Through Hull Solution

      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

      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

      Advice on Buying a Pre-Owned Anchor

      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

  • View Cart
Home Full Issue PDF May 2012 Full Issue PDF
  • Full Issue PDF
  • Subscriber Only

May 2012 Full Issue PDF

May 2012 Full Issue PDF
To continue reading this article or issue you must be a paid member. Sign in
JOIN NOW

Join Practical Sailor

Get full access to Practical-Sailor.com – more than 4,000 articles – for just $34.
Join today and save 42% off our full price.
Already a member?
Click Here to Sign In | Forgot your password? | Activate Web Access

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Log in to leave a comment

Latest Videos

Lagoon's WILD NEW 43 Footer is Replacing the 42! video from Practical Sailor
Video

Lagoon’s WILD NEW 43 Footer is Replacing the 42!

March 31, 2025
Are you interested in chartering a catamaran sailboat? This is Lagoons new entry level cat. The 43, and while you can still buy a...
Ocean Crossing Sailboat Rally Goes Awry video from Practical Sailor

Ocean Crossing Sailboat Rally Goes Awry

March 29, 2025
43 FOOT BOAT TOUR - The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 video from Practical Sailor

43 FOOT BOAT TOUR – The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440

March 24, 2025
AMAZING MACHINES! How They Make Sailboat Sails video from Practical Sailor

AMAZING MACHINES! How They Make Sailboat Sails

March 22, 2025

Latest Sailboat Review

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...

Latest Blog

Plugged Through Hull Solution

Plugged Through Hull Solution

Resources

  • Log In
  • View Cart
  • Bookstore
  • Issue Archive
  • Customer Service
  • About Us
  • Online Account Activation
ABOUT US
Practical Sailor takes the guesswork out of boat & gear buying with its bold, independent, product-test reports just for serious sailors.
FOLLOW US
Facebook Instagram RSS Twitter
  • About Us
  • Join
  • YouTube
  • Products
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Customer Service
  • Online Account Activation
© Belvoir Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved.