Mailport: April 2021
Crimping Small Wires
Regarding your recent reports on joining small wires, I have a Perry 59-foot sailboat with 12V DC, 24V DC and 110V AC...
Outboard Tiller; Multihull Steering Tips
When we purposely destroyed a few boathooks during testing I saw an opportunity to make a new tiller extension for my outboard (see PS...
Mailport: March 2021
Lifesling Cautionary Tale
I want to add to the comments about Lifesling web failures (see PS August 2016 “Lifesling Webbing Beckets Fail”) Last summer, my...
Tips on Painting Your Peeling Mast
Chips and scrapes in a carefully painted mast start out as a cosmetic issue. But as moisture intrudes and corrosion takes over the paint...
Mailport: February 2021
Mast paint
What is the best way to repair the blisters on my painted aluminum mast? Blisters occur near pop rivets or other attachments to...
Updating Your Boat’s Medical Kits
Evolving medical practice, newer treatment options and changes in availability of supplies made us think we should look once more at medical kits for sailors.
Mailport: January 2021
Mustang Coveralls
With regard to your recently re-posted report “Cold Water Survival” (see Practical Sailor, March 2019), I bought a Mustang Anti-Exposure Coverall many years...
Staying Safe While Working Underwater
Say the prop suddenly begins vibrating. First you checked the shaft coupling; they’ve been known to work loose, allowing the shaft to come clean...
Mailport: December 2020
Roller Furling
My name’s Gabriel, I’m American-Italian and I live in Rome. My boat is a Classis 35 Lady Laura built in 1982 by Classis,...
Safety Tips for Small Propane Bottles
We’ve reported on the need for proper propane installation, including vented lockers and leak detectors (“Some Propane Dos and Don’ts,” PS February 2014), but...
Fast, Beautiful, and Practical – Meet the New Beneteau First 30
The Beneteau First 30 isn’t just another 30-foot cruiser — it’s the Porsche 911 of sailboats. Heritage performance, everyday usability, and thrilling design come...
Latest Sailboat Review
Pearson 30 Used Boat Review
The Pearson 30 was designed as a family cruiser and daysailer with a good turn of speed. The boat is actively raced throughout the country, however, with some holding IOR certificates, and many more racing in PHRF, MORC, and one-design fleets.