GMDSS: Mass Confusion?
Recently we received the following e-mail from reader Gerard Lacroix, asking questions about radio communications that must be on the minds of others. Your...
Standard HX350S Is Top-Rated Waterproof Handheld VHF Radio
In our bench tests of seven waterproof models, the Garmin VHF 720 and Icom M-1+ failed their dunkings.
GPS 406 MHz EPIRBs: ACR vs. NAT
ACR and National Airborne Technology have taken two distinct approaches to transmitting position data along with distress signals. We favor NATs integral GPS over ACRs peripheral connection, but its twice as expensive.
Inexpensive E-mail: Magellan GSC 100 vs. SASCO OceanMail 2000
We prefer the SASCO OceanMail 2000
In-Your-Pocket Email
PocketMail is a current favorite of coastal cruisers. It’s inexpensive and reliable. Of two PDAs tested, we prefer the Sharp TM-20 over the BackFlip.
Close As A Pencil Point
On May 1, President Clinton announced that the selective availability (SA) system used to degrade GPS (global positioning system) signals was terminated, effective at...
Offshore Log: Essential Forecasting Tools
Our years of sailing in New England and the Caribbean, with their stable, predictable weather patterns, left us ill-prepared to deal with the vagaries...
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.