Handheld VHF Radio Buyer’s Guide: Explore 20 Models, from Low-Cost to High-End
VHF radios are not included among the minimal safety equipment required on pleasure craft by the US Coast Guard, but they should be. VHF...
Budget Nav: Build a Fault-Tolerant Electronic Navigation System for Under $3,000
When I started sailing, navigation gear consisted of a paper chart, a few drawing instruments and a compass. Instruments usually consisted of a single...
LFP vs. Lead Acid: Eight Things Every Sailor Must Know Before Switching
Marketing literature does a good job of promoting the primary advantages of lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP or LiFePo4), such as life expectancy, weight,...
Energy Recovery Watermakers: Running a Watermaker on Solar and Batteries
Let's dig into the truth to the 75-80% power reduction claims for Energy Recovery Watermakers, review some comparison data, chat with the inventors, and...
Wireless Engine Cut-Off Switches Evolve Into Man-Overboard Alarm Systems
Even sailing greenhorns are familiar with those red coiled lanyards that are, theoretically, attached from an engine’s cut-off switch (ECOS) to the operator’s life...
Do Hybrid Propulsion Systems Make Sense on Small Boats?
In the article “Is All-Electric Propulsion Practical on Small Sailboats?” we explored the current state of technology for all-electric marine propulsion. We concluded that...
Lithium Batteries for Small Boats: A LiFePO4 Buyer’s Guide
In the series of articles "Lithium Batteries for Small Boats," "Lithium Batteries for Small Boats: Install Guide" and "Lithium Batteries for Small Boats: Troubleshooting"...
Six New Products for Sailors at the Miami International Boat Show
Marking its 85th run in 2026, the February 11-15, 2026 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show enjoyed a five-day run of warm temperatures, sunny...
Getting Weather on the Water: From VHF to Starlink
We are in the midst of a yachting weather forecasting and awareness revolution. With satellite internet technology today’s sailors have never had so much...
The Fog of Chartplotter Complacency
Cruising the remote west coast of Vancouver Island is the dream of many Pacific Northwest sailors. The journey includes the 80-mile passage from Race...
Latest Logbook
Practical Sailor Logbook – September 2026
In September we tour the Hans Christian 48T — the offshore cruiser many sailors call the holy grail — walk the custom Antigua 60...
Video: Why Are Tartans So Expensive? Inside the Tartan 3700
If you’re researching Tartan Yachts, looking for the best traditional cruising sailboat, comparing premium used sailboats, shopping for a bluewater cruiser, or considering a...
Latest Sailboat Reviews
Morgan 38/382 Used Boat Review
In 1977, the Morgan 382 was introduced, designed by Ted Brewer, Jack Corey and the Morgan Design Team. According to Brewer, the boat was loosely based on the Nelson/Marek-designed Morgan 36 IOR One Ton. The most obvious difference between the 38 and 382 was the elimination of the centerboard and the addition of a cruising fin keel (NACA 64 012 foil) with skeg-mounted rudder. They are two completely different designs from two different eras in yacht design.
