Varnish Exposure Finale
Time once again, folks, for a report on Practical Sailor's varnish exposure test. After two years, we're getting somewhere. In fact, for practical purposes,...
Bottom Paints 2002
Readers who have been with us long are familiar with our yearly tests of bottom paints. Considering how important this paint is to...
Topside Paint Test Kick-Off
Your beloved boat is no longer young. The laminate—the heart of her construction—may still be strong, but that protective gelcoat has gone chalky, and...
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...
Gelcoat Repair Kits: Bondo Best
Today, we have gelcoat, in which cracks, chips, and scratches are a constant problem for owners who want to keep their vessels looking good....
Update: Honey Teak Has Staying Power
While Smith & Co. Five-Year Clear has not suffered a film failure, we do note some white blotches under the surface, which, according...
Varnish Exposure Test
In recent years we have forsaken the testing of traditional varnishes for what might generically be called “teak treatments”—mostly oils, urethanes like Honey Teak,...
Our 10th Annual Bottom Paint Test
Practical Sailor has been testing bottom paints for 10 years now, though it sometimes seems like forever. It’s been a lot of work, but...
Offshore Log: In Search of the Magic Finish
Ever since we arrived in the tropics more than three years ago, maintaining Calypso’s vast quantities of varnished teak has been an exercise in...
Spring Maintenance:Smith & Co. CEPS and Honey Teak Best Gloss Teak Treatments
A trend in recent years has been the gradual elimination of exterior teak on boats. This is understandable, given the amount of time and...
The No Expense Spared Antigua 60 Cruising Sailboat Soolaimon
Join us for a boat tour of the gorgeous Antigua 60 cruising sailboat Soolaimon. She boasts electric winches, a mighty Lofrans electric windlass, and...
