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,...
Catalina 25 Sailboat Tour
This Catalina 25 review also explains the important differences between the swing keel, fixed fin keel and wing keel versions, along with the standard...
Latest Sailboat Reviews
Gemini 31/3000 Used Boat Review
The funny thing about the Gemini is that it's an old design. Ken Shaw drew the lines in 1969. There's nothing particularly contemporary about it. However, by painting the cabin sides black (Euro styling), adding a swept-back fiberglass "pilothouse" and gradually adding length to the full-bodied hulls, the Gemini has always looked like she belonged with her contemporaries, whether that was the 1980s or 1990s.
