In May 1999 Practical Sailor reviewed the then-new Corsair F-24 Mark II trimaran. Nearly 20 years later, were here to follow up with a focus on the Corsair F-24 Mark I, a boat that can represent a good value today since many newer designs have entered the market.
Many of the fiberglass boats manufactured in the 70s and 80s, sail or power, were built on production assembly lines where speed and expense were a primary focus. Finishing was somewhat...
I’ve long thought there must be a safer, more comfortable way to go up our mast than a Bosun’s Chair. When I criticized our use of this ancient design concept, my...
The J-Boat Class, which vied for The America’s Cup in the 1930s, is considered the very pinnacle of competitive sailing. Yes, the new crop of America’s Cup foiling monohulls are faster....
I like to think and believe that for most sailors, keeping an eye on our environmental footprint is somewhat important. It certainly is for me. To that end, I always consider...
Over 350 O'Day 30s were built between 1977 and 1984. During 1984, the 30 was modified by changing the keel and rudder, and the stern was lengthened to accommodate a European-style boarding platform. This "new boat" was called the O'Day 31, and it stayed in production until 1986.
Valentine’s Day is not my favorite holiday. Now it will remain the anniversary of my dismasting rather than the day with romance, roses, chocolates and cards. Although, I did end up...
While you may feel the pressure to constantly update your boat tech, its important to understand which features are worth opening your wallet for. The latest advancements offer ways to stay...
Most teak cleaners don't just clean; they also remove weathered woods surface fibers and expose new wood. As much as 0.010 inches of surface teak can be removed in a single cleaning when using some common teak-cleaning products. Regularly cleaning with these products will shorten a teak decks life. Some also contain strong alkalis that can harm paint, caulk, and aluminum.
The Catalina 25 is not exceptionally fast, stylish, or spacious compared to newer widebody models, and while the construction and workmanship are adequate, they too are not exceptional. But because of the builder's strict adherence to a philosophy of offering a relatively spacious design, relatively well made, at a reasonable price, and backing up the product with generally good customer service, the Catalina 25 has turned out to be one of the most successful small cruising sailboats ever built, with 5,332 boats sold between 1976 and 1990, when the company ceased producing the model as demand tailed off.