Radar Shootout
Furuno, Raymarine score; Northstar disappoints.
Small-Screen Plotter/Sounders: Lowrance Bests Garmin and SI-TEX
High-resolution and fine sounder detail give Lowrance the win.
Uniden Adds Some Color to VHF Radio
Uniden’s UM625c has impressive transceiver performance and a color display screen, but the Icom M602 is still our top pick for a high-end VHF radio.
Towed Generators, Phones and Tunes
Globalstar fares better at sea this time, the iPod conks out
Electronic Charts
Navionics’ Platinum and Gold charts excel over C-Map and Garmin
Mid-Priced VHF Radios: Icom and Uniden Lead the Way
Icom's M422 wins by a hair, with feature-rich radios from Uniden, Navman, and West Marine not far behind. Uniden's UM525 is a Best Buy.
Northstar 6000i Network: Easy to Use, but Pricey
We rated the Northstar 6000i's sounder, daytime viewability, and overall user interface Excellent, but its high price and screen fogging hold it back. The Furuno system is still our top choice.
PS Advisor: 09/05
Remote Units for VHF RadiosYour July 15 issue review of fixed-mount VHF radios didn't address one common problem. When I'm on board alone, at...
High-End VHF Radios: Icom and Standard Horizon Get Top Honors
Strong performance and a long list of features make the Icom M602 our top pick. For $175 less, the Standard Horizon Quantum GX2360S nearly equals the Icom's performance and features, making it a Best Buy.
Davis’ WindScribe
Davis Instruments usually sticks to good, simple nautical gear. With considerable justification, the company boasts that its no-nonsense Echomasters™ are "the world's best" radar...
O’Day 40 – A Budget Cruiser for the Bahamas
The O’Day 40 (1986) is one of those cruising sailboats that somehow slipped through the cracks of sailing history. Built during the final years...
Latest Sailboat Review
Island Packet Estero Used Boat Review
Florida-based Island Packet targets a relatively narrow niche, so the toughest competitors to its new boats are often older Island Packets. Introduced in 2010, the 36-foot, shoal-draft Estero is the company’s latest attempt to introduce a distinctive model that doesn’t stray too far from the company’s proven formula for success: moderate displacement, full-keel cruisers designed to be lived on, sailed far and in comfort, and endure the bumps, scrapes, and storms that cruising boats inevitably encounter. After sailing the Estero on Florida’s Sarasota Bay and inspecting its interior, construction, and systems, Practical Sailor testers noted that the shoal-water cruiser will appeal strongest to Island Packet fans who’ve been waiting for a shoal-draft, easy-to-sail boat that compares to the IP37 in terms of interior space. These strengths will be most apparent on intracoastal or riverine adventures like the Great Loop.