Belowdecks & Amenities

I have always been a big fan of brass berth lights, but have never really liked the halogen bulbs commonly used in them. The little halogen bulbs run hot, use a lot of power, and are prone to vibrating loose. When Sailor's Solutions (www.sailorsolutions.com) introduced the Sensibulb, I quickly ordered a couple to test in our custom built boat Suzy. They worked so well that I converted all six of our berth lights. The original Sensibulbs were nice units, but the mounting system was iffy. I elected to bypass the mounting system by removing the ceramic bulb holder and directly gluing the bulb support post to the back of the Sensibulb.

Even the most dedicated sun worshipper craves shade after a bright, hot day on the water. For those of us whose goals include keeping our skin intact over time, a way to get out of the sun is imperative if we are to enjoy being in the cockpit at anchororinaslip. The problem is that few sailboats come equipped with usable shade, at least when the sails are down. The solution to the shade problem is a sun awning. A sun awning also solves another problem, particularly in tropical climates. By keeping the deck shaded, and by preventing the sun from streaming through deadlights and open hatches, an awning is a big help in keeping the temperature of the cabin interior at a habitable level.

Letters to Practical Sailor, January 2011. This month's letters cover subjects such as: Sailing non-profits, wind gens, pressure cookers, wood finish and mildew remover.

Most galley cooks argue that the pressure cooker is the most versatile, most valuable pot on a boat. Pressure cooking is faster than regular cooking, better preserves flavors and nutrients, saves cooking fuel and water, and having a lid that is locked on is a bonus. Practical Sailor tested four 4- and 6-quart pressure cookers from three manufacturers: Presto, Kuhn Rikon, and Fagor / Pro-Selections Inc. Testers assembled and used the cookers according to instructions, then cooked a pound of quartered potatoes under pressure in each pot. Finally, we cooked a selected recipe from the recipe book provided with each pot to gauge the quality of the recipes and the cookers performance in real-world use. In our search for the best pressure cooker for the galley, we also considered each cookers construction, ergonomics, user-friendliness, clarity of instructions, price, warranty, and the accessibility of customer help and spare parts.

Letters to Practical Sailor from our readers. November 2010's topics include cleaning products, sail hardware, galley stoves and anti-fouling paints.

Practical Sailors review of 11 cabin fans in 2008 launched an ongoing test of their durability over the longhaul. We evaluated 12-volt fans from Hella Marine, Fantastic Vent, Caframo, and HotWire. A test update in the August 2009 issue introduced some new players and cut those that had been discontinued. The ones that remained faced six months of continuous run time. This report wraps up the long-term test with a look at the last fans standing.

Theres nothing like the smell of fresh-baked treats wafting from the galley, and thanks to the Omnia Oven, the crew of any boat with a cooktop, grill, or hotplate can enjoy fresh baked goods onboard. The Omnia Oven, a new take on the old Dutch oven, can bake anything from cookies to meatloaf without the need for a conventional oven.

Even the best laid-out boat interior has areas of wasted space begging to be utilized. Right Track Designs storage system puts that dead space to use. Right Tracks system, distributed by Sailing Angles Inc., comprises removable storage bags and tracks to hang them on. The zippered bags come in standard and custom styles and fabrics, ranging from laminated sail cloth or clear PVC plastic (so you can see the bags contents) to mesh fabrics for wet gear.

Letters to the editors of Practical Sailor in July 2010 include questions and comments about mildew, galley blenders, teak cleaners, online captains courses and personal hydration.

Always on the lookout for gizmos that bring aboard some small luxury and help reduce the "roughing it" factor too often associated with cruising, our testers immediately recognized the potential of the DC-powered Tailgater Blender by Waring Products of Connecticut. A classic Waring blender with a heavy-duty chrome-plated metal base, the Tailgater is a full-sized blender with the look and heft of a household unit. Features include a fuse-protected 15-foot cord that plugs into any standard 12-volt cigarette lighter outlet, a removable stainless-steel blade assembly for easy cleaning, a large 48-ounce, shatter-resistant plastic carafe, and a handy "shot glass" measuring cup built into the lid.