Communications Options
Alongshore, you're good to go with a VHF plus Net-ready cell phone. Offshore, keep the SSB, and for heavier use include an Inmarsat system or sat phone.
Fixed-Mount VHF Radios: Icom Dominates
Out of 11 models that went on the bench, Icom had three that shined. Standard also did well. Digitial Selective Calling still has a way to go.
VHF Handhelds: Icom M-1 and Uniden HH-940 Our Top Picks
It has been several years since weve done a general review of handheld VHF radios. We did, however, review waterproof models in the November...
Offshore Log: Shurflo Pump Lacks Oomph
Our Shurflo pump has been a disappointment. At the time we installed it, it was the highest-capacity pump of its style available, and smaller...
Marine Electronics:SEA 159, Icom M45 and M49 Are Top Fixed-Mount VHF Radios
What with all the current interest in handheld GPS and LCD radar, its easy to forget that most fundamental and important piece of marine...
Marine Electronics:Garmin 48 Tops in Handheld GPS
As it is with notebook computers, GPS receivers continue to evolve into faster, smaller and more powerful devices. Our latest crop of test models...
Marine Electronics:Garmin 48 Tops in Handheld GPS
As it is with notebook computers, GPS receivers continue to evolve into faster, smaller and more powerful devices. Our latest crop of test models...
Marine Electronics:SEA 159, Icom M45 and M49 Are Top Fixed-Mount VHF Radios
What with all the current interest in handheld GPS and LCD radar, its easy to forget that most fundamental and important piece of marine...
Buyer’s Guide: Simrad CP32 and RayChart 520 Top Gray Scale GPS/Chartplotters
The Simrad CP32 and Raytheon RayChart 520 have the best combination of features and displays of 10 gray scale units tested.
Comings and Goings
Weve been aware for some years that the Loran navigation system is presumably on the way out, this despite the fact that the global...
Why This $1M+ Sailboat Might Be The Best Bluewater Cruiser in...
The Bluewater 56 is one of the most misunderstood offshore cruisers in the sailing world — and today we’re diving deep into what makes...
Latest Sailboat Review
Rethinking Sailboat Structure
When it comes to describing a sailboats most valuable attribute, its surprising how varied opinions can be. Staying afloat should be our first priority, and although you seldom read or hear much about it at boat shows, the structural elements that hold a sailboat together are an all-important consideration.