Repair, Tools & Materials

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...

Adhesives Test

Once upon a time in Tasmania, a skipper faced a daunting task: install a three-bladed, folding propeller without hauling out the boat. The underwater...

Bringing an Old Boat Trailer Back to Life

Over the years, weve stressed the importance of keeping a close eye on stainless-steel sailboat hardware and why pitting, crevice-corrosion, and galvanic action are...

Freeing Seized Hardware

Step three, when necessary, use a combination of heat and cold. I use a simple propane torch to heat up the surrounding area and...

Synthetic Decks vs. PS Testers

For this comparison of synthetic teak options, our first concern was ease of installation. The manufacturer typically carries out the hardest part-welding the panels...

DIY Mast Boot

With a little imagination and some inexpensive materials, you can put together a leakproof mast boot in a few hours. 1 Roofing Rubber One reliable boot...

Painting Water Tanks

When it comes to onboard water tanks, we prefer stainless, fiberglass, and even roto-molded tanks (in that order) to aluminum ones. Aluminum tanks tend...

Heavy-Duty Rubbing Compounds

Gelcoat provides a fiberglass boat with a hard, water-resistant protective shell. When new, its polished and waxed to a bright shine, but after a...

Tired Daysailer Hull Serves as Test Platform

Practical Sailor tested the compounds on the badly oxidized hull of a neglected 1974 ODay Javelin daysailer that has been stored uncovered in the...

Mailport: June 2013

How thick is too thick for the buildup of old layers of bottom paint? This question arises because I have just finished painting the...

Bavaria C42: What You Should Know | Boat Tour

Looking to buy a 40-45 foot sailboat? Considering a Bavaria C42? See a Bavaria 42 for sale? What are the pros and cons of...