Techni-Ice: So Long, Blue Bricks
Techni-Ice, invented in Australia, is meant to act as a substitute for ice, and it does a good job of it—better, in our opinion,...
Test of Six 12-volt Watermakers
In this test, we look at high-output watermakers from five manufacturers, ranging from systems from industry giants such as Village Marine to small shops...
In The Market For A Cooler? The Softsides Win For Convenience
Given evidence that beer making has been around some 10,000 years, keeping a frosty one cold has been a challenge for a long time....
marinCool Peltier Effect Refrigeration
Just as theres more than one way to skin a cat, theres more than one way to chill a beer. Serious cruisers usually opt...
Pressured to Cook?
Mention the words “pressure cooker” and nearly every cook can volunteer a tale of woe. Steven King’s novels hold no terror for cooks who...
PS Advisor
Flying With CO2 CanistersPart of my racing is in the Lake Superior offshore series, though my home is in Florida. I was planning on...
PS Advisor
That Slippery Shock CordCan you recommend a knot to be used successfully with shock cord? Marv SannesSalem, OregonShock cord is tough to tie. It...
Small Boat, Big Keel Why This 27 Footer Works
What makes a small sailboat truly seaworthy? In this video, we take a deep dive into the Pacific Seacraft Orion 27, a rugged, long-keel...
Latest Sailboat Review
Island Packet Estero Used Boat Review
Florida-based Island Packet targets a relatively narrow niche, so the toughest competitors to its new boats are often older Island Packets. Introduced in 2010, the 36-foot, shoal-draft Estero is the company’s latest attempt to introduce a distinctive model that doesn’t stray too far from the company’s proven formula for success: moderate displacement, full-keel cruisers designed to be lived on, sailed far and in comfort, and endure the bumps, scrapes, and storms that cruising boats inevitably encounter. After sailing the Estero on Florida’s Sarasota Bay and inspecting its interior, construction, and systems, Practical Sailor testers noted that the shoal-water cruiser will appeal strongest to Island Packet fans who’ve been waiting for a shoal-draft, easy-to-sail boat that compares to the IP37 in terms of interior space. These strengths will be most apparent on intracoastal or riverine adventures like the Great Loop.