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...
Latest Logbook
Practical Sailor Logbook – October 2026
This month leans into used-boat value and hands-on maintenance: Tim Labute tours the traditional, shoal-draft Bayfield 32, Nick Nicholson revisits the much-requested Morgan 38/382,...
Video: Catalina 34: Should you still buy one today?
If you're shopping for an affordable cruising sailboat for the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, ICW, Bahamas, coastal cruising or weekends aboard, this video will...
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.
