How Much Does it Cost to Have a Boat in Chicago?
Sailing is a weather dependent sport. When I learned to sail, I would head out on Lake Michigan in heavy wind, light wind, rough...
Wooden Boat Revival: Can Boatbuilding Be Regenerative?
The dawn of the fiberglass era transformed the boatbuilding industry, making sailing more accessible and affordable. With fiberglass’s strength, low maintenance and adaptability, boat...
How to Make Dodger Cover Canvas Pattern
For those of us with dodgers, we know how truly practical they can be. They protect the crew from wind and water splashes and...
How Much Does It Cost to Keep a Boat on the Hudson River, New...
I have a pocket dictionary I keep in the navigation desk of our 1978 Catalina 30 called Sailing: The Fine Art of Getting Wet...
Insurance For Older Sailboats
In our modern, risk-adverse world there is seldom the opportunity to stand alone, to be self-insured as it were. Gone are the days that...
What Are the Best Options in Hose Clamps and Barbs?
In “Stainless Steel Hose Clamps,” February 2016, we reviewed hose clamps by testing corrosion resistance and clamping security. Not a lot has changed; cheap...
Haul Out Tips to Avoid Confusion and Delays
Every fall, we sailors living in the colder, wintery parts of the world, must haul out our beloved boats and set them gently onto...
Refurbishing the Inflatable Dinghy
Inflatable tenders have become the family car for many cruisers. They haul groceries, take us to snorkeling spots, shuttle guests, haul out second anchors,...
The Best Gloves for the Boatyard
We choose our sailing gloves and deck shoes with great care, because they are our interface with the boat. The same goes for work...
Gelcoat Cleaning and Restoring Hack
How does the saying go again? “Necessity is the mother of invention,” or something along those lines? And so it was earlier this week...
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.