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,...

This 24 Foot Sailboat Can Cross Oceans… Seriously

Can you really cross oceans or even live aboard a 24-foot sailboat? In this deep dive on the Pacific Seacraft Dana 24, we break...

Latest Sailboat Review

Cabot 36 Used Boat Review

The Cabot 36 is a sought-after, medium-displacement, 36-ft. cutter from the 1970s that can provide security and comfort for a budget-conscious sailor willing to...