Universal Hanger
One thing missing on almost every boat is enough convenient storage. Hoses, docklines and the like seem to have a nasty habit of getting...
Update: Caulks and Sealants
After four months in the elements, our 23 caulks and sealants are ready to talk and they're beginning to offer some useful feedback.
Strike-Hold
As is the case with many magazines, at Practical Sailor, product samples regularly arrive out of the blue. And that's what happened not long...
The Glosser
At Practical Sailor, we'll try anything that offers even a glint of hope that caring for a boat might be made easier. So, when...
Topclimber Surpasses On Rope 1
The On Rope 1 Mast Climber is more sophisticated, but for simplicity and user-friendliness, we prefer ATN's Topclimber.
Knife Sharpeners Surveyed
Three main approaches to knife sharpening exist—freehand devices, angle-assist devices, and variable-angle devices—along with a bewildering array of products.
Water Spot Removers
First, try vinegar and water. If that fails, go with Star brite or Meguiar's.
Update: Discount Options for Sails
In our March issue article on "Discount Sail Options," we were unable to offer readers details about the products of one well established discount...
Update: Synthetic Teak Deck Test
After eight months with little change, Tek-Dek is still king.
The Brush Keeper
Poke your head up the hatch after waking up on board on a crystal clear morning in Port Townsend, WA's Point Hudson marina and...
O’Day 40 – A Budget Cruiser for the Bahamas
The O’Day 40 (1986) is one of those cruising sailboats that somehow slipped through the cracks of sailing history. Built during the final years...
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.