Fridge-Free Food Follow-Up
PS readers offer up a smrgasbord of ideas about food that isn't picky about temperature.
Thermoelectric Coolers: Four-Model Chilldown
Igloo cools fastest, Koolatron draws the least current, but for all-around marine use we'd go with the Adler/Barbour Tropicool.
Helpful Refrigeration-Free Food Ideas for Your Next Sailboat Outing
A lot of people can't imagine cruising without refrigeration, but in fact it was done successfully from the beginning of boats until about 20 years ago-and we're much better equipped to manage it today.
Manual Galley Pumps
Three major brands - Whale, Fynspray and Wilcox-Crittenden - and three major types -lever and vertical hand pumps, plus three foot pumps - are evaluated.
Refrigeration Survey 2002
PS readers are almost universally pleased with their choices in DC-powered refrigeration. The technology is well-developed and reliable.
Crank the Laundry
Doing the laundry on a boat during a cruise or passage presents a bit of a challenge. Alongshore you can usually find a laundromat...
The Boiling Point: Five-Way Single-burner Galley Stove Test
Stand-alone stoves are a fine way to keep things simple. Here are five models, burning three fuels.
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,...
Keeping Your Cool With A/C
Part 2—What’s new with refrigerants and controls.
Cabin Fan Destruction Test
In the double issue of September, 1999, was a report—part of a special section on ventilation—on cabin fans.A dozen fans were tested for noise,...
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.