Multi-Tools: Leatherman Wave Covers the Waterfront
Leatherman leads the way with a quality tool at a good price. The Gerber 800 Legend, the Kershaw, SOG's Powerlock, and the Spyderco SpydeRench also top our list.
Brinkmann, LSI, Optronics Shine Bright in Spotlight Test
Sixteen lights from six manufacturers.
Gelcoat Repair Kits: Bondo Best
In the beginning, there was paint, and for a long time the repair of scratches and gouges was relatively simple.
Update: Honey Teak Has Staying Power
Last March, we reported the initial results of a new long-term varnish exposure test. What a difference a year makes!
Hull Blisters: Know the Enemy
In 1990 Practical Sailor published Comtex Development's definitive findings about the causes of blisters on fiberglass hulls. The author was Rick Strand, then president...
PS Advisor: July 2001
Lexan vs. PlexiIm planning to replace my wooden companionway boards with translucent plastic. Is there a difference between Lexan and plexiglass? Can both be...
Personal Rescue Lights: Less Than Brilliant
ACR slightly outshone the rest of a dim group. These lights can help in a quick pick-up, but youre unlikely to see them beyond a half-mile in most sea conditions.
Sandpaper: Carborundum’s Premier Red Shines For The Price
Rare is the boat owner who is unacquainted with sandpaper. Those who do most of their own work are on intimate terms.
Sandpaper: Carborundums Premier Red Shines For The Price
Rare is the boat owner who is unacquainted with sandpaper. Those who do most of their own work are on intimate terms.
Varnish Exposure Test
20 different brands are brushed on teak panels and put out to weather in the sun, rain and snow. Here’s a 6-month report.
Lithium Batteries on Sailboats: The 3 Mistakes Everyone Makes
Lithium batteries are one of the most popular sailboat upgrades today—but they’re also one of the most misunderstood. In this Practical Sailor Saturday episode,...
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.