Offshore Log: Robertson AP 300CS on Trial. Bob Earns His Keep
Our trip from Venezuela to Bonaire was the first real test of Bob, our Robertson AP 300CX autopilot. He passed with flying colors.Although I...
Offshore Log: Robertson AP 300CS on Trial. Bob Earns His Keep
Our trip from Venezuela to Bonaire was the first real test of Bob, our Robertson AP 300CX autopilot. He passed with flying colors.Although I...
Jeppesen and The Cap’n Top Picks For Electronic Charting
It wasnt very many years ago that the only tools a boater needed for navigation were a compass, some paper charts, a pair of...
Radar Poles: Edson Most Versatile, Garhauer the Best Buy
The marvel called radar is great to have aboard, especially when an approaching fog bank is about to compress your world into a small...
Sea Marshall Rescue Systems
The greatest fear of any sailor perhaps is the cry, “Man-overboard!” It’s not a common occurrence, but it can and does happen. Sometimes the...
PS Advisor 09/01/00
Inflatable vs. Hard DinghyI have recently bought a nice, old 38' Shannon ketch, and she has dinghy davits. I have no dinghy, but am...
Low-draw LED Anchor Light
On the back page of the Fall 1999 Davis catalog are six new products—amber, red and white LED Clusters™ in either single- or double-contact...
Nexus Best Buy in Integrated Instruments
Today's systems are generally excellent, but sorting through them is very confusing.
Buyer’s Guide: Simrad CP32 and RayChart 520 Top Gray Scale GPS/Chartplotters
The Simrad CP32 and Raytheon RayChart 520 have the best combination of features and displays of 10 gray scale units tested.
Tiller Extensions: Forespars Cobra and Spinlocks E-series
We try fixed-length and telescoping hiking sticks from Forespar, RWO, Ronstan, Spinlock and Wichard.
Small Boat, Big Keel Why This 27 Footer Works
What makes a small sailboat truly seaworthy? In this video, we take a deep dive into the Pacific Seacraft Orion 27, a rugged, long-keel...
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.