Garmin 188C vs. Si-Tex Combo
In a two-on-one chartplotter/sounder shootout, a pair of Si-Tex units takes on a single Garmin combo machine.
Color Plotter/Sounders: Furuno’s GP-1850 WF and Simrad’s CE 33
Furuno's upgraded screen tilts the balance against the feature-rich Simrad.
Globalstar Satellite Phone—Round One
A 'learning round' with Globalstar last year will, we hope, prepare us for a 'playing' round this coming summer.
Globalstar Satellite PhoneRound One
A 'learning round' with Globalstar last year will, we hope, prepare us for a 'playing' round this coming summer.
Headings: Get a GRIB on the Weather
The Weather Channel Marine and XM WX Satellite Weather offer on-board solutions to satellite weather that are pricy, but simpler and more familiar-looking than older systems.
Garmin Rino 110 and 120
Merging more than one function into a single piece of electronics is a big trend now, and Garmin is seizing the day with its...
Magellan SporTrak PRO Marine
One of a dozen handheld GPS receivers Magellan is marketing strongly to consumer niches, this is a capable device, ruggedly built, with good viewability and navigation screens.
Chandlery: 04/15/04
Suunto M9 Wristop ComputerIn the trend towards miniaturization in electronics, there's a fine line between true utility and whiz-bang cleverness for its own sake....
The Pull of Pushbuttons
A friend dropped by the office when we were working on a review of the Magellan SporTrak PRO Marine handheld GPS receiver (to appear...
Networked Systems: Furuno vs. Raymarine
Big screens and big bucks—Raymarine and Furuno offer completely networked electronics packages that allow monitoring—and complete control—from more than one location.
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.