Inside Practical Sailor

The boat's electrical system is often the most vexing for boat owners-but it doesn't have to be. With the right tools, quality materials, and a modest amount of preventative maintenance, you can ensure a flicker-free (or nearly so) existence on the water. If you've got a rewiring or electronics installation project ahead of you, or if just want to make sure nothing goes on the fritz once you're offshore, this information-packed blog post is for you.

As we come up on our 50th anniversary in a couple of years, one thing remains unchanged, word of mouth is still the best promotion for our 100-percent subscriber supported research. Our ad-free publication relies heavily on the dedication of extremely knowledgeable experts committed to keeping sailing safe and fun. Most of all, it relies on you.

If you use a fixed clip-in point in your cockpit, you may want to check its design and review how you use it. With the exception of two types of tether snap hooks, our testers were able to dislodge sailing tether hooks from fixed clip-in points with very little force (less than 30 pounds). In one video we've posted, a popular Gibb-style snap hook releases under circumstances that closely replicate the the test used to certify its ability to resist an accidental release.

In a few months, we'll be publishing what will likely be our final update on our ongoing test of marine topside finishes - a project now in its fifth year. It will be interesting to see which hull paints have stood the test of time. If you can't wait until this spring to get your paint project rolling (and tipping), here is a rundown of free articles that will offer expert guidance on getting a good do-it-yourself finish for your sailboat.

Several subscribers who read my recent blog post regarding stainless steel corrosion, “Detecting and Dealing with Stainless Steel Corrosion” asked if we had any...

We’d like to say mooring chains like the one pictured above are a rare occurrence, but they are not—especially when you get off the beaten track and find yourself in unregulated mooring fields where the law of the jungle prevails. We’ve seen moorings like this in even “high-end” clubs, and for anyone who is familiar with our dozens of anchor chain tests over the years, this may come as no surprise.

if you look closely, it is clear that something is different with the genoa aboard Tech Editor Drew Frye’s F-24 Corsair. Battleship gray is not a common color for the suncover on a recreational sailboat, and the sheen is more reflective than normal. The boat's suncover is actually painted with flexible paint that was meant for inflatable boats — and nearly three years later, it's still holding up just fine.

Cored decks are a soggy subject that many owners of older boats can relate to. In a perfect world, your boat's manufacturer has anticipated where all deck penetrations are necessary (stanchion bases, cleats, etc) and has "de-cored" these areas by reverting to solid fiberglass, allowing you to mount hardware without drilling into the core. But this is rarely the case with older boats.

As more cruising sailors take advantage today's technology to extend their sailing season in winter or to push into the higher latitudes for new summer adventures, sailing apparel makers have followed suit—as in drysuit.

Much of your winterizing success will depend on the initial condition of your existing water system. If it is nearly sterile (effectively chlorinated water), there may be too few bacteria and fungus present for infection to start. However, if you use less than 20 percent alcohol or glycol (after dilution with water left in the system) you are at risk of biological growth; the lower the concentration the greater the risk. This is the reason why vodka and other alcohol-based winterizing fluids should be avoided. In our testing these solutions acted like an invitation to a microbial feast.