Mailport: Noise control, outboard maintenance, fuel tanks, powerline safety
A RESOUNDING CLARIFICATION
Regarding the blog post, “Reducing Boat Noise,” I wonder if this is correct: “The actual noise level in the cabin will depend...
Bungee Lanyards Take the Shock Out of Tools Dropped from the Mast
Iput a nice dent in the deck several decades ago when I dropped a wrench from the masthead. It scared the crew too.
I haven’t...
It’s Hard to Beat Needle and Palm for Hand Stitching
Torn canvas is no fun for the sailor, but there is something uniquely satisfying about making repairs or hand-stitching new creations using needle and...
Stitching Awl vs. Leather Palm for Sail Repair
Got a small sail or canvas repair? “Get a Speedy Stitcher!” is common advice, though rarely from someone experienced in sail repair.
Sure, it seems...
Mailport: Sealant advice, sandblasting warning, tool bags
MORE 4000UV FAILURES
With regard to your recent report on the sudden failure of 3M 4000UV, I like the product for its resistance to UV...
Boat Repair in the Age of Plexus
Historically, fiberglass boat hulls and decks were molded separately, and then bonded at the deck seam. Bulkheads were added either with polyester or epoxy...
Choosing the Right Boat Glue
Any time I start researching glues, I can hear the voice of Old Man Parker from the classic film “A Christmas Story,” ringing in...
Clean and Shine Surprises
An entire category of cleaning agents has sprung up to deal with waterline stains, so we’re always curious about new products (see “Practical Sailor...
Rhumb Lines: Salute to the Miracle Glues
In a stick-built boat, a shipwright builds piece-by-piece the interior furnishing—lockers, berths, settees, etc. The interior structures on contemporary boats, by comparison, are often...
Are Boatbuilders Expecting Miracle Glues?
Don’t ask an adhesive to do more than it can. If a bolt breaks, we accept it as deterioration or faulty design, not a...
10 Sailing Mistakes You’ll Only Make Once
Learning how to sail means learning that some sailing mistakes only need to happen once. In this episode, we look at the most common...
Latest Sailboat Reviews
Onward: A Mystery Project Boat Story
"If I'd known then what I know now," laughs Matt, "I'd have covered it in petrol and walked away."
It's not quite the endorsement you'd...
