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Mailport & PS Advisor

Gybing Spinnakers without Getting Snagged

Last month’s report on preventing jib sheets for snagging while tacking (see “In Search of the Snag-free Clew,” PS February 2024) brought up a...

Mailport: Marine plywood, fuel additives, through bolt options, winch handle holders

DIFFERENTIATING FIRS I enjoyed your destructive wood testing and your patience in waiting eight years to report comprehensive results (see PS December 2023, “Wood Rot...

The Cruising Sailor’s Argument for High-tech Fibers

We’re not racers. A few ounces doesn’t matter to us, so why should we be interested in Dyneema, or any of the other popular...

PS Advisor: Saving “Furry” Plywood Backing Plate

Recently, a reader asked us about the plywood backing plates for a through-hull on his boat. He said that the top laminate appeared “furry”...

Mailport: Winch handle holster, sea dogs, and core repair

MAST-CLIMBING ABOVE THE HOUNDS Regarding your recent blog post on mast climbing (see “Going Aloft Sans Butterflies,” Inside Practical Sailor), my fractional rigged boat has...

PS Advisor: A DIY Bucket with Perfect Fit

Perhaps one reason our buckets keep cracking is that we have to compress them a bit to fit them through the 10-inch rectangular hatch...

Mailport: Boat heaters, digital charts, photophobia, downsizing

HEATING EFFICIENCY I just saw, with interest, your article about onboard fireplace safety, with the emphasis on safety (see “LPG Fireplace Safety Guidelines,” Inside Practical Sailor)....

PS Advisor: Backing Plate and Self-tapping Screw Tips

Athreaded backing plate is a common approach to eliminating nuts in through bolts. We’ve used threaded backing plates for mounting jammers to thin-walled spars...

Mailport: winch handle holders; pets on board

THE WINCH HOLSTER With regards to your recent report on winch handle holders (see “Winch Handle Holders,” PS July/August 2023), another approach to winch handle...

PS Advisor: Combatting Mildew on a Moored Boat

In your recent report “Understanding Dew Point to Prevent Mildew,” (see Inside Practical Sailor blog) there is the comment, “curiously, the best way to...

Cabo Rico 34 Boat Review

Are you interested in a 30 to 35 foot cruising sailboat? Looking at buying a Cabo Rico 38 or 34? This week we dive...

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Blue Jacket 40 Used Boat Review

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