Handrail Masking Tape
Just when you thought there could be nothing new under the sun, along comes Handrail Masking Tape. It’s an adhesive tape that comes in...
Spare Parts
Barient WinchesWe recently heard from a reader that he was able to purchase replacement roller bearings for Barient 28+ winches, for $55, from the...
A Summers Work
Contrary to the popular belief of Floridians, summer in New England does last longer than two weeks. At least two months, sometimes three, which...
Stern Boarding: Stairway to Heaven…and the Dinghy
Wish your old boat had a scoop transom with steps? These two PS readers modified their counter and reverse transoms.
Stern Boarding: Stairway to Heaven…and the Dinghy
Wish your old boat had a scoop transom with steps? These two PS readers modified their counter and reverse transoms.
Spare Parts
Kenyon InstrumentsReader Ernie Copp owns some old Kenyon instruments. The company has long been out of business. Following his successful search to find someone...
PS Advisor
Gelcoat CrazingFor the past (too many to admit) years I have been working on the completion of a Corbin 39. Recently I have noticed...
Peel Away Still Most Effective Bottom Paint Stripper
Strippers using plastic covering sheets, like Peel Away and West Marines MarineStrip, stay active longer than other strippers.
Hurricane Watch
When I moved from Michigan to Rhode Island in 1980, sailing my old Pearson Triton through the lakes, canals and Hudson River, it never...
Banish Junky Anchor Rode Markers
For the boat owner who thinks he has everything, there is yet still another bit of electronic wizardry…a widget that tells you how much...
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.