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,...
PS Advisor: Trucking Your Boat Home for Storage
If COVID-19 has delayed your fitout, and yard costs are exceeding your original budget, storing your boat on your own property while you complete...
Latest Logbook
Practical Sailor Logbook – September 2026
In September we tour the Hans Christian 48T — the offshore cruiser many sailors call the holy grail — walk the custom Antigua 60...
Video: The BEST Sailboat You Can Buy for $35,000 – Catalina...
If you’re searching for a mid-30-foot sailboat, affordable cruising sailboat, liveaboard sailboat, first sailboat, or a capable used sailboat for coastal cruising, the Catalina...
Latest Sailboat Reviews
Cal 2-27 Used Boat Review
Our story begins in 1970, with the introduction of the Cal 29. Looking for something similar but a bit smaller, the company asked designer Bill Lapworth for a 27-footer, which at first was the Cal 27, a fin keel, spade rudder design with a convertible pop top; another incarnation of this basic hull was the T/2. But the concept of the 29 found its full expression in the Cal 2-27, which began production in 1975 and continued to 1977, after which it was again modified and called simply the Cal 27...again. Production of it ceased in 1986.
