Doug Henschen, Author at Practical Sailor

12 POSTS 0 COMMENTS

Doug Henschen has been sailing in and around the waters of the lower Hudson River, New York Harbor, and the Long Island Sound since the 1980s. A career editor and journalist, Doug served as associate editor and managing editor of The Waterway Guide from 1984 until 1987 and as executive editor of Boating Industry magazine from 1990 to 1996. Doug is American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) certified on Marine Systems, Marine Electrical, Corrosion Mitigation, Disaster Avoidance and Outboard Repowering Considerations.

Sailboat Parts, a creative retailer based in Grasonville, MD, turned the Transom of an old Lighting into bench seat. (Photo/ Sailboat Parts)

DIY Projects

Give Old Boat Parts New Life as Holiday Gifts

December 8, 2025

Inside Catalina Yachts’ factory in Largo, FL, in 2007. (Photo/ Catalina 36/375 International Association)

Inside Practical Sailor

Is U.S. Sailboat Manufacturing Facing Extinction?

November 10, 2025

A J/Boats J/9 powered by the optional Torqeedo Cruise 6.0 pod drive, which is mounted in place of a saildrive. The throttle and battery monitor panel are visible on the starboard bench seat. The optional solar panel helps top up the battery when away from dockside power. (Photo/ Doug Henschen)

Subscriber Only

Quiet Power: Electric and Hybrid Propulsion at Annapolis

November 3, 2025

The Ballad salon offers plenty of light. Some models, like the one pictured, have upgraded teak and holly soles. Ventilation is limited to two passive overhead vents. Marius Draeger has upgraded his boat with opening rear windows, available from an aftermarket supplier in Denmark, the capital of Ballad ownership. (Photo/ Doug Henschen)

Sailboat Reviews

Albin Ballad 30 Used Boat Review

October 1, 2025

The 6-hp Tohatsu SailPro, left, weighs 60 lb. and costs about $1,900. A 3-gallon gas tank, when filled, adds about 22 lb. Add to total cost the ongoing expense of fuel, oil and maintenance. The 6- hp/3000 input-watt ePropulsion Navy 3.0, right, weighs 54 lb. and costs about $6,100 including the recommended 73-lb., 48 volt/3072 watt hour E60 battery and a 25-amp charger that can top up the battery in four hours. Electric outboards are much quieter than gas models and don’t emit exhaust, but you will have to replace the expensive battery within 10 years. Prices found online in August 2025. (Photos courtesy of Tohatsu and ePropulsion)

Subscriber Only

Gas Vs. Electric Outboards: Consider Your Total Sailing Carbon Footprint

September 22, 2025

Photos courtesy of Honda Marine, Mercury Marine, Suzuki Marine, Tohatsu and Yamaha Motor Corp.

Subscriber Only

Buyer’s Guide: 10 Gas Outboards For Cruising Sailboats

September 1, 2025

This simple home-grown device offers a choice of rudder positions and takes advantage of the mounting socket and tiller pin already set up for a Raymarine Tiller Pilot. (Photo/ Doug Henschen)

Inside Practical Sailor

DIY Tiller Lock and Emergency Tiller Pilot

July 28, 2025

Photo sources: Elco, ePropulsion, Mercury Marine, Remigo, Temo and Torqeedo

Electrical

Buyer’s Guide: 14 Electric Outboard Options From 2.5 to 9.9 Horsepower

June 23, 2025

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)

Anchoring Mooring

Handling Anchors on Boats Without Anchor Lockers

May 26, 2025

To prep items for selling online, make sure to clean them, take plenty of pictures and provide detailed descriptions, including specs. This pair of Barient #16 single-speed winches sold for $65.93 and netted the author $55.87. (Photo/ Doug Henschen)

Inside Practical Sailor

How to Sell Old Sailing Equipment

April 14, 2025

12 Page 1 of 2

Latest Sailboat Review

Up-close view of the hatch of an all-GRP boat being made from molds in Bretagne, France. (Photo/ Angie Richard)

Sailboat Reviews

Rethinking Sailboat Structure

December 15, 2025

When it comes to describing a sailboats most valuable attribute, its surprising how varied opinions can be. Staying afloat should be our first priority, and although you seldom read or hear much about it at boat shows, the structural elements that hold a sailboat together are an all-important consideration.