Kayaks for Cruising Sailboats

Kayaks for Cruising Sailboats

Selecting the ideal tender is like picking the ideal sailboat—it depends on what you want. Within the universe of tenders are kayaks, and the diversity within this subset is just as great, with options ranging from inexpensive inflatables to pedal-drive fishing machines. Knowing we could not possibly test every kayak on the market, we focused on familiar brand names, and tested models from each maker with the hopes of answering a simple question: what kayaks best meet the specific needs of a sailor.

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  • Sails, Rigging & Deck Gear

    Essential Sailing Gear that Lasts

    Our long-term testing at Practical Sailor may have the initial appeal of a tortoise race, but things do heat up at the finish line. The following conclusions stem from a decades, and in some cases, an even longer period of observation. In this round of field test feedback, I focus...

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  • Safety & Seamanship

    Fire Extinguisher Tips for Cruising Sailors

    While portable dry chemical fire extinguishers are a common sight aboard any sailboat, their installation, upkeep, and use is almost sinful. During marine surveys I’ve asked boat owners how long they think a typical BC-I portable unit will last when fighting a fire and have...

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  • Boat Maintenance

    Converting an Anchor Light to an LED Tricolor Light

    The cost of masthead tricolor navigation lights, a safety improvement many sailors add to their boats, involves expense beyond the fixture itself such as a switch on the DC panel, additional wire to snake from the panel to the masthead, through-deck fitting, and labor.

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