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Practical Sailor
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  • Sailboat Reviews
    • AllMultihullsNew SailboatsSailboats 21-30ftSailboats 31-35ftSailboats 36-40ftSailboats Over 40ftSailboats Under 21feetused_sailboats

      Beneteau First 345 Used Boat Review

      Tally Ho: Historic Boat Review

      (Photo/ Bert Vermeer)

      Catalina 445 Used Boat Review

      Nonsuch 30 Used Boat Review

  • Marine Electronics
    • AllApps and Computer ProgramsAutopilotsCommunicationsFishfindersHandheld ElectronicsPlotters MFDS RradarWind, Speed & Depth Instruments
      After six months, protection from the anti-corrosion sprays had worn off, but some greases still worked.

      Marine Wiring: Are the Pricey Options Worth the Cost?

      Savvy Navvy anchor alarm display.

      Navigation App Review: Savvy Navvy

      Lithium Batteries for Small Boats: Troubleshooting

      Blue Sea E Series Battery Switch. The author recommends retaining the manual combiner, first for its functionality as a high-capacity isolation switch but also for manual combining of the two systems in an emergency.

      Lithium Batteries for Small Boats: Install Guide

  • Sails, Rigging & Deck Gear
    • AllAnchoring MooringRunning RiggingSails CanvasStanding Rigging

      SNADs: Snaps Without Screws

      While all gear is important, rope clutches are the small but mighty players that keep halyards secured. Make sure to install models that can handle the pressure.

      Rope Clutches Tighten Their Grip

      Anchor chocks hold an anchor securely on any reasonably flat surface, but you’ll need to drill 10 holes to mount the component parts, so think twice about this option. (Photo and line drawing courtesy of Sea-Dog)

      Handling Anchors on Boats Without Anchor Lockers

      Bluewater Design: Weight and Dynamic Stability

  • Systems & Propulsion
    • AllDiesel EnginesElectricalOff Grid EnergyOutboardsPlumbing
      After six months, protection from the anti-corrosion sprays had worn off, but some greases still worked.

      Marine Wiring: Are the Pricey Options Worth the Cost?

      Misirlou’s gravity drain holding tank mid-installation showing tank valve, Tee to deck pump-out fitting and home-made activated charcoal vent filter. (Photo/ Tom Egan)

      Holding Tank Lessons Learned

      Air Conditioning at Anchor

      The bare minimum required to deal with most daysailer dilemmas fits in a relatively compact electrician’s bag. It can be tailored to fit the specific needs of your boat. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

      The Get-Home Sailboat Tool Kit

  • Boat Maintenance
    • AllCleaning WaxingDIY ProjectsPaintsRepair, Tools & MaterialsSpare PartsTools & Gadgets

      Repairing Molded Plastics

      SNADs: Snaps Without Screws

      Passivating Stainless

      Testing the shaker siphon. The most spill-proof, low-strain way to transfer fuel from a jerry can to the tank. Yes, there are motorized versions and versions with a pump-bulb, but all these do is make it more complicated. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

      Five Best Gasoline and Diesel Transfer Tools

  • Belowdecks & Amenities
    • AllCabin ComfortGalleyVentilation
      16,000 BTU Citimarine AC unit installed to replace a Dometic unit. Dometic did not have a replacement available due to supply-chain issues as a result of the pandemic. (Photo/ Phil Decker)

      Where Credit Is Due: Citimarine Air Conditioner Customer Service

      Top Fire Blankets for the Offshore Sailor

      Hella Marine Euro150 LED

      Solid Choices for LED Cabin Lights

      Simple Lithium for Outboard-Powered Tenders, Daysailers, and Sport Boats

  • Personal Gear & Apparel
    • AllFootwear ApparelFoul Weather GearOptics
      The bare minimum required to deal with most daysailer dilemmas fits in a relatively compact electrician’s bag. It can be tailored to fit the specific needs of your boat. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

      The Get-Home Sailboat Tool Kit

      Fujinon 14x40 Techno-Stabi. Photo courtesy of Fujifilm.

      Marine Binoculars Guide

      Five Best Cheap Clothing Options for Cold-Weather Sailing

      Custom-built cylinder storage racks make accessing cylinders easy. (Photo/ Eileen Council)

      How to Scuba from Your Boat

  • Mailport & PS Advisor
  • Inside Practical Sailor Blog
    • HMCS Oriole sails under the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge in 2021. (Photo courtesy of Government of Canada)

      Canada’s “Tall Ship” Still Pulling Duty After a Century

      Testing the shaker siphon. The most spill-proof, low-strain way to transfer fuel from a jerry can to the tank. Yes, there are motorized versions and versions with a pump-bulb, but all these do is make it more complicated. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

      Five Best Gasoline and Diesel Transfer Tools

      If you don't know the answer to this question, or even if you do, NauticEd has free course offerings to keep your sailing knowledge up to date. (Photo/ NauticEd)

      NauticEd: The Best Way to Learn Sailing’s Rules of the Road

      This finishing bench is a rough copy of one I saw in a sailmaker’s workshop. It is both a piece of furniture and an efficient tool for periodic sail maintenance. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

      Five Best Homemade Sail Repair and Splicing Tools

      Bottom scraper. Easy to make and so much easier to use. Used for barnacles on the bottom and taking mud off the anchor. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

      Six Best Homemade Boat Maintenance Tools

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