Conditioners Help Combat Sulfate Build-Up
With the rising awareness of the new lead-acid battery "Desulfator/conditioner" products that are currently hitting the market, we tested the claims of two leading products to see if they are worth the money.
Great Maintenance Products: 2006
Fill your bucket with these favorites for a boat that shines from the bilge to the bow.
Mailport: 12/06
MARINE INSURANCE REDUXI have been reading with much interest your articles about marine insurance this year (April and May 2006).
Rhumb Lines — Getting a Fix on Reality
It was mid-July 1990 on the Caicos Banks, a stretch of shallow, gin-clear water extending for about 70 miles east to west in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Along with a dozen other cruisers whod chosen to thumb our noses at hurricane season (ah, those were simpler times), we were pausing in Providenciales before heading south. …
Fending Off the Funk
A 52-paint checkup: Antifoulants 12 months later.
The Great Goo Chase Begins
Testers search for the perfect teak caulk - or at least one that doesn't incite acts of rage.
Sticky Situation
After a year of testing, the proof is in the goop.
A Fistful of Splicing Fids
The stainless set from Selma combines elegant design with durability.
Hand Abrasives Round-up
3Ms Sandblaster sanding sponges and plain wet/dry sandpaper stand out.
Metal Cleaners
Miracle Cloth is the best at getting grime off.
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.