Workbenches for Cruising Sailors
So you’ve got a locker full of tools and materials and the skills to take on anything. But what do you work on? Spill...
The Unsung Hero of Canvas Work
You can cut cloth, carpet, and rope with scissors or a knife, but the result is a frayed mess, as soon as the item...
Cleaning Up Spring Cleaning
Spring is boat prep season, which is followed closely by the first cruise of the season. As the author of many articles on marine...
4 Years Later Sail Repairs Hold Well
After four long years in the sun, we’re finally taking our polyester (Dacron) sail repair samples out of the elements for good. Even glued...
Bent Rudder Remedy
A few years ago while sailing my PDQ catamaran, we struck something hard and bent the rudder so badly that the top of the...
Are You Ready to Kludge Your Way Home?
The first use of the word kludge is attributed to Jackson W. Granholm in 1962, describing...
Tough, Versatile Coosa Board Suited for Various Projects
Cosa board is a closed cell panel that is reinforced with glass fiber, giving it both shear strength and compression strength. Compared to the...
The Multipurpose Core
Solid fiberglass is strong and durable, but it weighs a ton. Even boats with solid hulls generally have cored decks, cabins, stringers, and bulkheads....
Foam Filters Make Little Sense for Air Intake
Probably the biggest takeaway from our report is the surprising prevalence of deteriorating foam oil filters on...
Simple Tips for Maintaining Stainless Steel
When applying a paste cleaner, a toothbrush is useful for buffing tight spots and working into the pores of welds; follow by buffing with a cotton cloth. A green 3M scrubby pad helps for removing more aggressive stains. Continued rusting in welded areas might indicate a developing failure, requiring replacement. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water and mild soap when done buffing.