September 2004
PS Advisor: 09/04
Enter the Keen Shoe
Subscribers Only In our ongoing quest to discover optimal personal gear, we think this California company is on to something with its hybrid sandal-shoe.
EPIRB Update: 09/04
Subscribers Only
Reintroducing Mr. Funnel
Subscribers Only Clean diesel fuel is the first step toward proper engine maintenance. Thanks to an Alaska-based inventor, attaining perfection in that department has become easier and less expensive.
Cabin Lights
Subscribers Only The Alpenglow fluorescent is still a top-flight area light, and a good bet for a dome-light retrofit. Taylorbrites's new cold cathode lamp is a winner over the bunk, but new LED lights from Imtra and D.R. Smith are bright, not too cold, and easy on the power.
Etap 37s
Subscribers Only This Belgian-built sloop offers style and comfort—as well as a nice turn of speed—in an 'unsinkable' package, but its high freeboard and low lifelines give us pause.
The Load on Your Rode
Subscribers Only Our time spent testing anchors has prompted some important musings; we offer the following thoughts regarding the forces and factors to be considered before purchasing anchors and rodes.
Headings: The Academy of the Sea
Subscribers Only Closing out 25 years of regular contributions, our Editor-at-Large bids adieu with advice from this year's Newport-Bermuda Race.
Entry-Level LCD Radars
Subscribers Only Our field test of seven relatively inexpensive radar systems (average price around $1,500) reveals Furuno's 1712 as the top choice among monochrome displays. For color, we prefer the Simrad RA30.
Mailport: 09/04
Keeping Watch
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…
