Practical Sailor - Practical Sailor

Herreshoff Mobjack: A Family’s Love Affair with a Traditional Ketch

September 9, 2024

How to Create a Bullet-Proof VHF/SSB Backup

September 9, 2024

Blue Jacket 40 Used Boat Review

New Sailboats September 9, 2024

When classical musicians start playing rock and roll, fans take note. When their first song's a hit, everyone listens to the lyrics. Bob Johnson, Bill Bolin, and the Island Packet Yachts...

Catalina 270 vs. The Beneteau First 265 Used Boat Match-Up

Sailboat Reviews September 4, 2024

People who start in small boats and trade up often view 27 feet as some kind of milestone, and rightly so. At around 27 feet, an inboard engine and the possibility...

What Do You Do With Old Fiberglass Boats?

Boat Maintenance September 2, 2024

The first second-hand sailboat my husband and I considered as a potential “project boat” was listed for sale on an online classified website in France for a few thousand euros. With...

Polyester vs. Nylon Rode

Sails, Rigging & Deck Gear September 2, 2024

In order to minimize the strain on our anchor, we expect the rode to absorb impact forces imposed by waves, yawing and gusts. These can be as much as five times...

R. Tucker Thompson Tall Ship Youth Voyage

Inside Practical Sailor September 2, 2024

“Ready of the fore!” a crew member called back. “Hall away the fore!” Captain Peter yelled in reply. We hoisted up the foresail, on board the R. Tucker Thompson. I was guided alongside...

What’s the Best Sunscreen?

Living Aboard September 2, 2024

Social media seems to be stirring up fear that sunscreen is more than harmful than beneficial, without legitimate studies to support this fear mongering. One study fed rats a ridiculous amount...

Safeguarding Sailors via Passage Guardian

Safety & Seamanship August 26, 2024

Peter Mott has been working with radio his entire life. But only upon retiring did he start to combine his love of sailing and safety at sea with radio into Passage...

Ericson 41 Used Boat Review

Sailboat Reviews August 26, 2024

Sailing the Salish Sea on Canada’s west coast is the dream of many a sailor. With a lifetime of sailing dinghies and messing about with family boats at various points across...

Getting the Most Out of Older Sails

Sails Canvas August 26, 2024

Efficient windward work requires sails with a good lift-to-drag ratio. Mylar laminate sails hold their shape throughout their useful life, well enough for all but the most discerning racers, which often...

Boat Repairs for the Technically Illiterate

Boat Maintenance August 26, 2024

My wife Amanda often asks fellow cruisers the question: Would you prefer to sail with an experienced mechanic who knew little about sailing, or an experienced sailor who knew little about...