Offshore Log: Gelcoat Maintenance
Practical Sailor's guide to bringing back a gelcoat and keeping it glossy.
Bottom Paints 2003
It's baaack... Micron Optima earns the overall best rating. Interlux and the Kop-Coat companies take 10 of 13 'excellent' ratings, Sea Hawk gets two, and E-Paint one. Pettit Ultima SR looks good long-term.û
Teak Treatment All-Stars Grudge Match
Here's the kick-off of a long-term 'test of the best'—products that have come out at the tops of their types, now pitted against each other.
Topside Paints At One Year
One-part wonders Interlux Toplac and Epifanes Mono-Urethane give two-part brews a run for their money—a short way into a long event.
Restoring Decks: Nonskid Options
We evaluated four paints, 10 additives, and three mats for slip resistance, ease of application, and appearance. Treadmaster's mat still rules, in our view. West Marine's paint is a Best Buy.
PS Advisor: 01/15/03
Aluminum-Stainless CorrosionI have a problem with my pedestal steering mount. I have to move the instrument-mounting arms. I removed the securing screws, but the...
Varnish Exposure Finale
After two years of constant exposure, the test frame is getting rickety, but the teak is sound, as are about a quarter of the varnish applications.
Bottom Paints 2002
Micron Extra from Interlux and Pettit's Trinidad SR are still top-notch paints, but running nearly neck-and-neck with the coppers is E-Paint's EP 2000.
Topside Paint Test Kick-Off
Eight coatings, all made by either Interlux or Epifanes, earn excellent ratings in our kick-off test.
Varnish Exposure Update (and Coatings Recap)
Paint and varnish shouldn't be too difficult to understand: They're coatings you apply with a brush, roller or pad to protect or beautify the...
The Tartan 365: A Modern Cruiser with Performance Pedigree
Welcome aboard the Tartan 365, a modern performance cruiser that blends innovative design, speed, and luxurious comfort. In this video, we take a detailed...
Latest Sailboat Review
Hunter 45DS Used Boat Review
Hunter Marine unveiled its latest large cruising monohull, the Hunter 45DS, in late 2007. The boat is essentially an upgrade of the 44DS, with twin wheels, a new transom, new styling, and a roomier, reconfigured interior. Hunter has sold 152 hulls since the boats debut, making it a fairly successful endeavor. To increase the Hunter 45DSs interior volume, designer Glenn Henderson opted for relatively high freeboard and additional length. Henderson also matched a nearly elliptical rudder with a smaller keel. The 54-horsepower Yanmar auxiliary engine moved the Hunter through calm water at 8 knots at 3,000 rpm. Testers sailed the 45-footer in flat water and 13.5 knots of wind, making 5.8 knots and were able to tack through 110 degrees. The current base price of the Hunter is $268,990.