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...
Testing CIGS Solar Panels: Are Most of Us Holding onto an Inferior Technology?
We've been running solar on our boat for a decade, and after dealing with the rapid degradation of our latest SunPower flexible panels, we...
Sailboat Tech: What’s Worth it and What’s Not
While you may feel the pressure to constantly update your boat tech, its important to understand which features are worth opening your wallet for....
9-in. Chartplotter Guide
With many options on the market in the 9-in. multi-function device (MFD) category, which chartplotter works best for the needs of cruising sailors, racers...
Marine Wiring: Are the Pricey Options Worth the Cost?
This article launches Practical Sailors long-term test of electrical wires, electrical connections, and corrosion inhibitors for electrical applications onboard sailboats. Ultimately, the goal of this ongoing project is to examine corrosion in wires and connectors in a marine environment. More concisely, it could be presented as a closer look at three common elements in marine wiring to answer some basic questions: What is the best wire to use on a sailboat? Is it tinned wire, automotive wire, or stranded machine tool wire? What are the best corrosion preventatives? Do you apply the anti-corrosion treatment to every connection and every crimp, or just certain types of connections? What are the longest-lasting connections? Which were most prone to electrolysis? We made observations during the six-month test period without disturbing the samples. At the end of the full one-year test period, we will unbolt all of the fittings from the terminal strips and look for corrosion under the fittings.
Navigation App Review: Savvy Navvy
When Savvy Navvy navigation app asked me to review the app and share my impressions, I was curious enough to do a little background...
Lithium Batteries for Small Boats: Troubleshooting
In “Lithium Batteries for Small Boats” we looked at some of the less frequently discussed differences between lead acid and LiFePO4 batteries. In “Lithium...
Lithium Batteries for Small Boats: Install Guide
This article focuses on sailboat LiFePO4 battery installations and the equipment and wiring changes we need to make to the electrical system in order...
DIY Electrical System Survey and Inspection
So, you’ve finally purchased that new (or new-to-you) boat of your dreams. Now is a great time to familiarize yourself with its systems—a good...
The Fastest Cruising Sailboat in the World?
What is the fastest cruising sailboat in the world—and can a monohull really compete with catamarans for speed while still being livable? In this...
Latest Sailboat Review
Morgan 34 Used Boat Review
By today's standards, the Morgan 34 is a small boat, comparable in accommodations to a lot of 30-footers. When the boat was designed, she was as big as most other boats of her overall length. In profile, the boat has a sweeping, moderately concave sheer. The ends of the boat are beautifully balanced: the bow profile is a slight convex curve, the overhanging counter aft is slightly concave. Esthetically, hull shapes of this period from the best designers are still hard to beat.