Barnacle Removers
The acid-based products from Star brite and Marykate worked best, but are nasty to work with. Start with non-toxic Marsolve, though it's less effective.
Gelcoat Restoration: Back From the Dead
We used hull restorers from Vertglas, Poli-Glow, and New Glass-2 to revive a beaten and battered powerboat, and included Collinite’s Fiberglass Boat Wax as part of the test, too.
Bottom Paint 2004
Interlux's Micron 66 takes the laurels this year, with Pettit's Trinidad SR and two E-Paints on its heels—and for less money.
Underwater Metal Coatings: Test Results
Most of the test samples fared surprisingly well. Some were easier to prepare than others. All will benefit from an occasional sponging-off.
Topside Paint Finale
At the end of two years, after a hard life and no protection from the elements, the paints on our 'Bracelet' are given a final rating.
Wax On
Collinite, Heller Glänz, Meguiar's, and West Marine waxes, and Poli-Glow hull restorer, are the shiniest, but we have only just begun.
Teak Treatment All-Stars After Six Months
Half a year in New England weather, '03 (cold and wet, followed by dank and muggy) has separated the contestants in the field.
Sailtrack Lubricants
It's no good wrasslin' with the main halyard on the hoist, or the luff on the douse. But don't call the 'marines.' Get Elmer to help.
LED Flashlights
The SureFire L1 Lumamax and the Tektite Expedition Star take Best Buy honors. Incandescents may not pale in comparison, but they're fading fast.
Antifouling Choices for Underwater Metals
With the final ban of TBT paints, coatings makers have brought forth several products to fight the growth of barnacles and other beasts on metal surfaces underwater.
The Moody 46 CC Cruising Sailboat Review and Boat Tour
Join us for a deep technical dive into the Moody 46 Center Cockpit, a true bluewater cruising sailboat designed by Bill Dixon and built...
Latest Sailboat Review
Endeavour 32 Used Boat Review
The Endeavour 32 began life back in 1970 as the Irwin 32. Ted Irwin designed her as a dual-purpose cruiser-racer before the development of the IOR. By 1975, the IOR was in full swing, and boats such as the Irwin 32 were obsolete as racers, since PHRF had not yet emerged to help handicap non-competitive boats raced at the club level. Although the Irwin 32 and the Endeavour 32 look identical and have the same displacement, the Endeavour 32 is listed by the builder as being 4" wider, 4" longer overall, and 6" longer on the waterline.