Practical Sailor

The challenge with finishing a veneer-and-plywood sole is finding a product that offers long-lasting protection for the wood and gives a secure footing when the cabin sole is wet. Varnishes suitable for protection and durability do not have intrinsically good nonskid characteristics. We recommend using a satin-finish, one-part polyurethane varnish to protect the thin veneer and plywood, and adding some nonskid aggregate to the final coats to reduce the slippery-when-wet effect.

With many of our readers wrapping up their spring pre-launch projects, I thought it would be a good time to offer a brief update...

ALADO FURLER ISSUES? My Alado furler system was installed for 3 years on my Newport 27 and the 3/16” forestay (purchased separately at the same...

Many sailors only visit the boat in fair weather and light winds, and they don’t know the mischief their berthed boat is up to...

There are a number of details to consider when ordering a sail. Cloth types and weights should correspond to the kind of sailing you do as well as your expectations for the sail's longevity. For the mainsail, there are questions regarding the number of reefs you want, and where to put them. Genoas will need to have the appropriately-sized luff tape to fit an existing roller furling unit (or the right size hanks). Another option specific to furling units is whether to have a foam luff sewn into the sail.