Mailport & PS Advisor

Passivating Stainless on Sails and Gear

Often stainless steel hardware on our sails will begin to rust under the cloth webbing, not only staining the fabric and webbing, but inviting...

Mailport: March 2022

NAVIGATION ADVICE Regarding your recent blog post on navigating in poorly chartered waters, all of your tips, plus make use of the masses of very...

Must I Remove Mast Hardware to Paint?

Refinishing hulls, decks and masts has been revolutionized by epoxy primers and two part polyurethane top coat material. Their adhesive quality, durability, longevity and...

Mailport: February 2022

SPLIT MAINSHEET Regarding your recent report on split mainsheets (see PS November 2020, “Do Twin Mainsheets Better Control the Mainsail?”), if you attach the preventers/...

The Orion 357 Electric Flare After 1 Year

In our report on the new electronic visual distress signalling devices (eVDSD) we mentioned in passing that a U.S. Coast Guard approved eVDSD might...

Mailport: January 2022

GORILLA GLUE AND UV Regarding your report on repairing damaged core panels, “Can Glue Injection Fix Rotten Core?” The problem I have found is that...

Playing the Wind Shifts for Fun or Sport

When high-pressure dominates, it is normal for the wind direction to oscillate 15-20 degrees every 5-20 minutes. In theory, hitting the shifts correctly will...

Mailport: December 2021

IN PRAISE OF KOVER KLAMPS Thanks for this great article on winter covers (see Inside PS blog, “What to Look for in a Winter Cover”),...
Straightening 1-inch pipe threads using a General Tools thread restoring file. To use the file, align the file with threads, and work from good threads outwards, so that several of the rows of teeth are always engaged with good threads. Use moderate pressure; enough to keep the file from skipping, but not enough to cut deeply into the pipe or bolt. Take your time. Clean with wire brush when finished.

File Away Your Pipe Thread Problems

Thread restoring files cannot restore stripped or severely corroded threads, but they can work wonders on threads that have been distorted by impact, clogged...

Quick Tips for Cleaning Up Spilled Epoxy

Everybody has spills, and just a tiny splatter of epoxy can make a mess of an otherwise flawless job. Never fear, there are some...

STOP Buying These 4 Products! The Practical Sailor Warning That Saves...

STOP wasting money on faulty boat gear! In this exclusive deep-dive, Practical Sailor reveals the 4 worst products and maintenance mistakes that routinely fail...

Latest Sailboat Review

Catalina Morgan 440 Used Boat Review

The Catalina Morgan 440 is a massive ocean-capable design from the drafting board of Gerry Douglas, a prolific designer for Catalina Yachts for over...