Hot Knife. We put this purchase off for too long. Nice for fabric and rope, and vital for carpet and bungee cord, which are difficult to heat seal. Multiple layers dont slow it down. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

Five Best Specialty Tools

In fact our list is much, much longer than this, so we picked five specialty tools that we thought would help most sailors for...
Although the OTC Hose Removal Tool is meant for the automotive industry, we found to be the most useful option for marine sanitation hoses.

Hose Fitting Tips

Pulling hoses is generally low on the fun list. They are in bad places, jammed onto crusty hose-fitting barbs, and have stiffened over the years. As part of our 2016 update on long-term tests, we needed to wiggle loose a few of the sanitation hoses were testing to see how they were looking on the inside-a job much less pleasant than new installation.
The captain made a navigational miscalculation so this 2005 Sabre 386 rested on a shelf just outside Cameleon Harbour in British Columbia for the tide to return. As a result of this temporary grounding, seagrass entered and blocked a through-hull. Identifying details have been omitted at the request of the captain. (Photo/ Bert Vermeer)

Plugged Through Hull Solution

My summer cruise took me up to the Discovery Islands just north of Desolation Sound off the coast of British Columbia with sailing buddy...
Greenboats laying flax fabric to construct the MB9 monohull, which is entirely constructed from Natural Fibre Composites (NFCs). Photo courtesy of Greenboats.

Considering Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Sheathing

As we explore material legacies and evolution with a regenerative lens for our Wharram Narai Mk IV build, the focus now shifts to sheathing...
Resins and hardeners ready for testing.

DIY Fairing and Filling

Epoxy deserves its wonder resin status as a highly adhesive, water-resistant laminating resin. It is the secret sauce behind a shelf full of fillers, glues, and fairing compounds.

Making Your Own Workshop Filter

It all started when I needed to make a number of large cuts inside the house and outside of the confines of my shop....

Shock Cord Hardware for Sailors

Every rope we have on board has its quirks when you’re trying to form a knot that won’t slip or come untied. Dyneema is a...
"The epoxy primer was applied quickly by Jacob and Hanneke, one rolls it on the other strokes it out. We applied two coats and afterwards wet-and-dry sanded them." (Info/Photo Wharram Designs)

Glues and Resins: Can Boatbuilding Be Regenerative?

The use of glues and resins is indispensable in modern wooden and plywood boat construction. Ahead of self-building a 41-ft. Wharram Designs Narai Mk...

What Are the Best Options in Hose Clamps and Barbs?

In “Stainless Steel Hose Clamps,” February 2016, we reviewed hose clamps by testing corrosion resistance and clamping security. Not a lot has changed; cheap...

Refurbishing the Inflatable Dinghy

Inflatable tenders have become the family car for many cruisers. They haul groceries, take us to snorkeling spots, shuttle guests, haul out second anchors,...

Latest Logbook

Practical Sailor Logbook – September 2026

In September we tour the Hans Christian 48T — the offshore cruiser many sailors call the holy grail — walk the custom Antigua 60...

Video: Why Are Tartans So Expensive? Inside the Tartan 3700

If you’re researching Tartan Yachts, looking for the best traditional cruising sailboat, comparing premium used sailboats, shopping for a bluewater cruiser, or considering a...

Latest Sailboat Reviews

Morgan 38/382 Used Boat Review

In 1977, the Morgan 382 was introduced, designed by Ted Brewer, Jack Corey and the Morgan Design Team. According to Brewer, the boat was loosely based on the Nelson/Marek-designed Morgan 36 IOR One Ton. The most obvious difference between the 38 and 382 was the elimination of the centerboard and the addition of a cruising fin keel (NACA 64 012 foil) with skeg-mounted rudder. They are two completely different designs from two different eras in yacht design.

Cal 2-27 Used Boat Review