The Importance of Sea State in Weather Planning
We all want a crystal ball that tells us exactly what we will be in for during a passage, however long or short it...
Power Up: Planning Your Lithium Conversion on a Budget
I once heard of a sailor who prided himself on sailing “pure”—no motor, no electrical, just wood and canvas. How he could dock and...
Navigating the Secondhand Marine Electronics Market
Electronics, unfortunately, don’t last forever. When an electronic component decides to fail on your boat, you will likely want to have it replaced. While...
No-Sew DIY Tiller Pilot Cover
Although they are rated waterproof, the most common cause of death for tiller pilots is water intrusion. I've had one die from this. Like...
Waterline or Keel? Setting Your Depth Sounder
Ever since electronic or sonar/transducer type depth sounders have been around, sailors and captains have had love/hate debates over how a depth sounder should...
Waterproof Connectors: 4 Year Update of SAE 2-Pin Connectors
I’ve long hated proprietary 12 volt connectors. This project started six years ago when the power plug on my tiller pilot failed, falling to...
How To Maintain A Small Boat’s Electrical System
Well intentioned friends and relatives often make comments along the lines of, “Aren’t you scared of being out on the ocean, all alone, in...
Lightning Protection 101
We now have permanent research satellites in orbit whose sole function is to monitor and study global lightning activity. Like so many areas of...
Install a Standalone Sounder Without Drilling
Are you one of those sailors who believes there are too many holes in the hull of your boat? Have you ever wondered if...
DIY Electrical Panel Replacement
When repowering our 1978 Islander Bahama 30, I was well aware that part of the engine replacement would have to include a serious look...
Why the Catalina 42 Took Over the Caribbean
You see them everywhere — the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, all across the Caribbean. The Catalina 42, especially the Mark II, has quietly become...
Latest Sailboat Review
Dragonfly 25-2 Boat Review
If you’ve ever dreamed of blasting across the water at 25 knots with the wind in your hair and the spray in your face...