Rescuing Older, Self-Tailing Winches
I love my winches. Like a trusted companion, they have been with me through thick and thin and have always performed for me when...
Shock Cord Hardware for Sailors
Every rope we have on board has its quirks when you’re trying to form a knot that won’t slip or come untied.
Dyneema is a...
Engine Replacement on Islander Bahama 30
There may come a time when repowering your cherished sailboat needs to be addressed. I suspected that not all 13 horses of the venerable...
Simple Lithium for Outboard-Powered Tenders, Daysailers, and Sport Boats
Lithium is cool. Your cell phone uses it. Cameras, laptops, flashlights … everything. But “cool” is not a reason. Fire is not a big...
Glues and Resins: Can Boatbuilding Be Regenerative?
The use of glues and resins is indispensable in modern wooden and plywood boat construction. Ahead of self-building a 41-ft. Wharram Designs Narai Mk...
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...
Affordable AND Good? Sabre 34 Mk II Review
Can you buy a good sailboat for $25,000? In this video we take a deep dive into the Sabre 34 Mk II, a proven...
Latest Sailboat Review
Tartan 30: An Affordable Classic
The early 1970s was the heyday of the Tartan 30' racer/cruiser. In all, no less than two dozen boats of a similar size and type were introduced in just three years, many of them to become highly successful among sailors eager for the performance and amenities of big boats at a modest price. Among the most noteworthy and enduring of the 30-footers from this era has been the Tartan 30.