Mailport & PS Advisor

MARINE INSURANCE REDUXI have been reading with much interest your articles about marine insurance this year (April and May 2006).

To do it right, a hands-on (and in) system is a must.

A 'JOSHUA STORY'Your article on safety gear for kids highlights a crucial matter of importance.

When sound-proofing starts crumbling, go shopping.

A cruiser's laundry dream, small-boat solutions; where credit is due.

Cooking FuelsI am writing to inform you that for the evaluation of cooking stoves and fuels in the July 2006 issue of Practical Sailor, you did not get the alcohol fuel at anywhere near the lowest price. Alcohol fuel can be purchased at Home Depot and other home improvement and hardware stores at a much lower price. I priced it at Home Depot at $5.56/quart or $12.77/gallon. They call it "Shellac Thinner." In fine print…

Back to the WashboardWere retired now, so, were able to take a couple of extended cruises a summer aboard the 40-foot sloop weve had for two decades. When were off cruising for a month, dirty clothes pile up. It would be nice if we didnt have to hunt down laundromats or soak stuff in a bucket and festoon the lifelines. Have small washing machines become practical yet for sailboats? …

In Praise of SaildrivesI noted in past PS articles, and those in other magazines, comments on saildrives. One such story was in regard to the Niagara 35. It was described as a great coastal boat, but many comments were about the saildrives. I have seen many pictures of saildrives in various stages of corrosion, some beyond repair. We have owned our Niagara for 20 years now. It has a saildrive. Hearing these negative stories years…

Stainless vs. BronzeWhenever I buy new fittings (like cleats, blocks, fairleads, etc.), I never know whether to buy stainless or bronze. We have an...

PS Cool CatA couple of months ago, I promised to send you a picture of the Key of D in Fiji. You can't see...