Mailport 05/01/00
Battery BurnupIn your January 1, 2000 issue, Mr. Dale Botwin reported his experience with an inexpensive Group 24 starting battery getting very hot and...
Comings and Goings
Weve been aware for some years that the Loran navigation system is presumably on the way out, this despite the fact that the global...
GMDSS: Mass Confusion?
Recently we received the following e-mail from reader Gerard Lacroix, asking questions about radio communications that must be on the minds of others. Your...
Moisture Meters: Can You Trust Them? We Test Five Models
Youve made an offer on a used boat and have retained a marine surveyor to examine the vessel prior to completing the transaction. One...
Handbearing Compasses: Plastimo Iris
One of the most time-consuming chores at Practical Sailor is finding, selecting and assembling the products to be tested. Even before we figure out...
Standard HX350S Is Top-Rated Waterproof Handheld VHF Radio
Waterproof VHF handheld radios just make sense. For many of us, they are only used during emergencies. Making them waterproof for the marine environment...
ChartView Edges MaxSea in Nav Software Matchup
Charting/navigation software for laptop computers are extremely powerful, although not every program does exactly the same things in the same way. Navigation software can...
Cabin Fan Test: Hella, Caframo Blow Best Breeze for the Buck
There are lots of things that can make being aboard a boat unpleasant. Among them: Too little wind, seasickness, crowded waterways, rain, guests with...
Offshore Log: An Evolution in EPIRBs
Sailing shorthanded makes you think a lot about safety. Even after you develop confidence in your boats ability to take what the ocean hands...
Spare Parts
Kenyon InstrumentsReader Ernie Copp owns some old Kenyon instruments. The company has long been out of business. Following his successful search to find someone...
The ULTIMATE Family Charter Catamaran – Bali 5.8 Full Tour
The Bali 5.8 Catamaran Sailboat is going to be the flagship of the charter sailboat industry. With up to six private cabins, each with...
Latest Sailboat Review
Island Packet 440
For nearly 30 years under the direction of designer and CEO Bob Johnson, Island Packet accomplished what few modern boatbuilders have been able to...