OSHA has a thing against homemade tools. While a shortened extension on a paint roller won’t give them heartburn, modified power tools and attachments to power tools do. Ladders. Overhead lifting....
With over 35 years of bareboat chartering experience, I can honestly say, without any reservations, that when you’re more than one couple, a catamaran is definitely the way to go. Yes,...
This article focuses on sailboat LiFePO4 battery installations and the equipment and wiring changes we need to make to the electrical system in order to install the technology. “Lithium Batteries for...
Any sailor who has tried to wrestle a full-keel ketch with a barn-door rudder into a tight slip has probably wondered if they could modify the rudder to improve low-speed maneuvering...
So, you’ve finally purchased that new (or new-to-you) boat of your dreams. Now is a great time to familiarize yourself with its systems—a good place to start is by inspecting the...
We are now all familiar with the primary advantages (life expectancy, weight, usable capacity etc.) of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) batteries. What is absent, however, is a broad appreciation of the...
In fact our list is much, much longer than this, so we picked five specialty tools that we thought would help most sailors for small dollars. The right tool can pay...
Cruising gives you the freedom to go to both popular places and remote, out-of-the-way locations. If you have scuba equipment on your boat, the underwater world is open to exploration. Since...
Modern anti-fouling paints promise a hull free of marine growth for one to several seasons. But in nutrient-rich water and as the paint becomes expended, barnacles and green stuff take hold, slowing us down, increasing fuel consumption under power, and degrading handling.
Looking for the ultimate sailing vacation in the Caribbean? Step aboard the Lagoon 55, a modern catamaran that combines luxury, comfort, and performance—making it...
The Irwin 34 is in many respects a typical Irwin boat. It was originally called the "Citation 34," which was meant to indicate that it was more of a plush cruiser than the race-oriented Irwins at the time, but more of a racer than the larger cruisers. According to the company, 305 Irwin 34s were built in the production run, from 1978 to 1985, a moderate but successful model for the era. Near the end of its production, the boat was advertised as the Irwin 34 rather than the Citation 34. There were no major changes in the boat from beginning to end, just the details and equipment that are typical of any long production run.