April 1, 2003

PS Advisor: 04/01/03

Hayn Hi-Mod Terminals

Subscribers Only Hayn weighs in with a new variant on the Chinese handcuff principle (the harder you pull, the tighter I squeeze) to rival Norseman and Sta-Lock terminals.

Hand Warmers

Subscribers Only Cold hands and feet can be debilitating and dangerous when you're trying to get things done at the beginning or the end of the sailing season. We like the Grabber Mycoal pouches, but the other brand names work well, too.

Beneteau First 36.7

Subscribers Only This dual-purpose boat, designed by Bruce Farr, is more user-friendly than its high-performance progenitors, but will still sail fast as a one-design or in handicap fleets.

Offshore Log: Open Class Monohulls

Subscribers Only While the attention of much of the sailing world in February was focused on the America's Cup matches, a very different group of boats was leaving on the next leg of their 29,000-mile odyssey around the world.

Handheld Holders

Subscribers Only Ram Mounting Systems will put a firm grip on your GPS, VHF radio, or any other handheld. Less expensive products from Arkon and Davis work, too, but need some tweaking before you can feel confident about your gear slamming in a seaway.

Bottom Paints 2003

Subscribers Only It's baaack... Micron Optima earns the overall best rating. Interlux and the Kop-Coat companies take 10 of 13 'excellent' ratings, Sea Hawk gets two, and E-Paint one. Pettit Ultima SR looks good long-term.

Mailport: 04/01/03

Our New Pal, Viv

Inside Practical Sailor Blog

San Fran 'Stand-down' = Government Meddling?

by Darrell Nicholson on May 15, 2012

The Coast Guard’s request late last month that sailors “stand-down” and suspend any offshore racing outside San Francisco Bay in the wake of last month’s tragedy in the San Francisco Yacht Club’s Farallones Race rankled more than a few Bay area sailors. The response was not surprising. Critics decried the move as draconian, driven by overzealous safety mavens, an example virulent government intrusion, trampling of personal freedoms, etc. etc. etc. It is a…

Read More

Reader Questionnaire

Practical Sailor is gauging interest in a consumer-advice report on sailboat chartering. Please let us know how you feel about bareboat sailing charter opportunities.