Storing Diesel Fuel
When it comes to storing a gasoline powered vessel, you are generally better off keeping tanks full, adding a corrosion-inhibiting additive, and installing a...
PS Advisor: Acid Cleaning Potable Water Systems
You won’t find recommendations or articles from health authorities about sanitizing plumbing or drinking water equipment with vinegar because it isn’t very effective. Some...
Mailport: Clew knots, sail paints, fighting mildew
LOVE HITCH AT THE CLEW
Regarding your recent report “In Search of a Snag-free Clew,” (see PS February 2024), even luggage tags can catch on...
Simplifying Your Cleaning Chemicals Kit
Instead of requiring 30 random cleaning products, you would need only four or five with carefully targeted chemistry. Thats it-no more than five cleaners to serve most purposes. Here are the basics to building your own kit.
Check Your Shorepower System for Hidden Dangers
One of the often overlooked maintenance items in the pre-season rush to the water is the AC shorepower system. Over the years of surveying, Ive amassed a small collection of scary photos from past surveys showing the common examples of neglect to this critical system.
Mailport: Water heater mystery smell
WATER HEATER MYSTERY SMELL
I just read your Waypoints blog post “Hot Water Heater Installation Tips,” and wanted to share my experience. I recently installed...
Mailport: Aftermarket exhaust; window replacement; epoxy blurp
AFTERMARKET EXHAUST
I have really appreciated the refit series from John Stone you’ve published (see “Rebuilding a Cape Dory 36,” PS November 2022). As someone beginning to...
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...
Video: Beneteau 361 – Full Review
Should you buy an older Beneteau sailboat? In this Practical Sailor boat review and yacht tour, we examine the Beneteau Oceanis 361 to see...
Latest Sailboat Reviews
Brewer 12.8/44 Used Boat Review
The Brewer 12.8 and the Brewer 44 are developments of the Whitby 42, a cruising boat from the board of Ted Brewer. Brewer is one of the great modern cruising boat designers. His boats are well-mannered, attractive and practical. To improve windward performance, a high aspect ratio centerboard extends through the bottom of the 12.8's shallow keel. Since the board is not ballasted, it does not affect stability, but can be used when reaching to shift the center of lateral resistance.
