December 2004

PS Advisor: 12/04

Scully Rig

Subscribers Only It comes in a box the size of a golf bag, and all you have to add is the boat.

Gaskets Galore

Subscribers Only Finally, a source for replacing the leaky hatch seals on your boat with custom-extruded gaskets that are identical to the originals.

Snuffer Test

Subscribers Only Among off-the-shelf options for taming spinnakers, we favor North's SnufferPlus for its refined design, lighter weight, and moderate price.

The Tale of the Tape

Subscribers Only Recent problems with 3M's blue tape remain a mystery, but there are some good alternatives available at reasonable prices. Intertape's ProMask Blue is a top option, and the real bargain is electrical tape.

Gear of the Year: Top Products of 2004

Subscribers Only Looking back over the past 20 issues, we selected a mix of products that enhance navigation, safety, and maintenance.

Headings: Olaf Harken Sounds Off

Subscribers Only The co-founder of an outstanding—and most innovative—sailing equipment manufacturer offers his outlook on the mechanics of trickledown technology and its future.

Furuno vs. Garmin

Subscribers Only Though they're similar in functionality, Furuno's NavNet, with more options and better 10-inch screen, bests the new Garmin Marine Network.

Mailport: 12/04

Doing the Right Thing

Subscribers Only

Inside Practical Sailor Blog

Eco-friendly Bottom Paints 2012

February 01, 2012

There are very few times when the door to my office is closed. Bottom paint rating tabulation time is one of them. For the past week I’ve been poring over bottom paint data collected earlier this month – three Excel tables representing more than 300 data points. Although mammoth data tables are not what drew me into this business, the bottom paint program is still one of my favorite projects. I’ve spent enough time scrubbing and scraping and painting to appreciate the importance of what we do.

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.