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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

      Nonsuch 30 Used Boat Review

      Hunter 45DS Used Boat Review

      Irwin Citation 34 Used Boat Review

      Saint Blue, a Lagoon 380 offered by BVI Yacht Charters, is this author's preferred boat for a relaxing tropical getaway. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

      Lagoon 380 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
      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

      The Schaefer SnapFurl CF-500 furling system has a two-piece PVC luff foil, which snaps together over the forestay. The author discovered the plastic extrusion to be prone to twisting, particularly when reefing or furling the sail in high winds. (Photo/ Doug Henschen)

      Schaefer SnapFurl: Gear Graveyard

  • 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
      The cabin sole with water damage, looking aft towards the companionway from the salon. The new damage is on the left, while the old damage is near the doorway at the top of the photo. (Photo/ Bert Vermeer)

      How to Repair a Water-Damaged Teak and Holly Sole

      The waxy films of CorrosionX MaxWax and CRC HD Corrosion Inhibitor win hands-down for long-term protection.

      Corrosion Inhibitors

      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

      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?

  • 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
    • 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

      Hot Knife. We put this purchase off for too long. Nice for fabric and rope, and vital for carpet and bungee cord, which are difficult to heat seal. Multiple layers dont slow it down. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

      Five Best Specialty Tools

      While Snappy Teak-Nu seemed to perform better at first, the longterm winner was Star-Brite.

      Battle of the Teak Cleaners — Snappy Teak-Nu vs. Star Brite

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