Brinkmann, LSI, Optronics Shine Bright in Spotlight Test
Sixteen lights from six manufacturers.
The State of Our Soles
We've been wearing two styles of Body Glove deck shoes for about three months-the Bowline, which is a sneaker-type deck shoe, and the Whitewater,...
Boat Bags: Watershed, SealLine Dominate; West a Best Buy
Many of the gear and duffel bags labeled 'waterproof' in the marine catalogs failed our tests. However, after examining 26 models, we did find a few truly dry bags.
Personal Rescue Lights: Less Than Brilliant
ACR slightly outshone the rest of a dim group. These lights can help in a quick pick-up, but youre unlikely to see them beyond a half-mile in most sea conditions.
Sunglasses: MJ Commanders Lead Way; Serengetis a Best Buy
We prefer Maui Jim, but Oakley and Costa Del Mar also fare well in our test of 19 pairs from eight manufacturers.
Offshore Log: Seeing in the Dark
Two of the most important tools on our night passages through the Java Sea and South China Sea were our Fujinon FMTR-SX binoculars and our ITT Night Mariner 250 binocular-style night vision scope.
Lifesling Goes Throwable
Were safety conscious at Practical Sailor. Readers know that, from the numerous articles about our in-the-water and bench tests. We rarely fail to comment...
Foul Weather Gear: The New Suits Are Breathable, Dry, and Costly
In the early 1980s, W.L. Gore & Associates and Atlantis teamed up to create waterproof foul weather gear that was also breathable. They had...
Hobie, Nikon Our Picks Among High-End Seagoing Sunglasses
The importance of quality eyeware was publicly manifested by the Navy Air Corps in 1951 when it commissioned Bausch and Lomb to begin developing...
Optronics Blue Eye Shines Bright Among Handheld Spotlights
If youve ever powered down the Intracoastal Waterway at night in the rain or came into an inlet from the sea looking for channel...
Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26
The MacGregor 26 might be the most controversial sailboat ever built. Half sailboat. Half powerboat. Water ballast. A 50-horsepower outboard. Capable of sailing… and...
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