Mailport: October 2021
PAEAN TO A NESTING DINGHY
Your recent Inside Practical Sailor blog post “The Great Dinghy Debate” about hard versus inflatables interested me and I thought...
The Many Tales a Stanchion Can Tell
This month’s article on Dyneema lifelines sent us diving into the archives for advice on our own little lifeline project. We didn’t have to...
Mailport: September 2021
MULTIHULL MADNESS
Regarding your report on the rising popularity of multihulls (see PS March 2017, “Multihull Madness”), when the wind speed doubles, the force and...
Tips on Rolling and Tipping with Awlgrip
Boat restorer and broker Glen Simmons took time out from painting a 2004 Catalina 36 to share some tips with PS. Simmons has perfected...
Mailport: August 2021
SHOUT OUT FOR THE AIRMAR TLM100
Regarding your recent blog post on PFD inspection (see Inside PS, “Check Expiration Dates on Autoinflate PFDs”), when sailing...
Don’t Be Stung by O-Ring Sticker Shock
O-rings are smart to replace during service, but often OEM parts are not at hand when you need them and priced at the specialty...
Mailport: July 2021
NEVER-SEEZ
With regards to your recent blog post, “More Boat Tips: Unsticking Stuck Nuts and Bolts,” it makes a mess, but I always use Bostik...
Mailport: June 2021
WINCH GREASE FALSE SAVINGS?
With regards to your report on winch grease (see PS February 2017, “Budget Priced Winch Grease,”), price is a small consideration...
Don’t Confuse AIS Beacons with PLBs
Lots of confusion has arisen over the use and functionality of personal locator beacons (PLB) and automatic identification system (AIS) devices. Both can increase...
Mailport: May 2021
Bottom Paint Removal Tips
I removed 40-plus years of bottom paint from half of my Catalina 27 hull over the weekend.
We laid down poly dropcloths,...
Before You Buy a Beneteau Watch This First – Hanse 430E...
Thinking about buying a 40–45 foot cruising sailboat? Before you default to a Beneteau, Jeanneau, Catalina, or Hunter, this in-depth Practical Sailor review takes...
Latest Sailboat Review
Tartan 33 Used Boat Review
In 1978, Tartan brought out the Tartan Ten, a 33', fairly light, fractionally-rigged "offshore one design." The boat was a huge success: fast, easy to sail, and unencumbered by the design limitations of a rating rule. But the Tartan Ten had one big problem: limited accommodations with stooping headroom, an interior most kindly described as spartan. A hardy crew could take the Tartan Ten on a multi-day race such as the Mackinac, and you might even coax your family aboard for a weekend of camping out. But cruising or extended racing in comfort? Forget it!