Distress

On The Edge

In our review of knives this month, we didn't have space to talk much about how important they are aboard a boat. They're vastly...

Review: Rescue Laser Flare

A worthy addition to pyrotechnic kits and personal survival gear, this simple but ingenius tool is moving toward a place at center stage in the search-and-rescue world.

Personal Locator Beacons

Personal locator beacons, or PLBs, provide the benefits of 406 MHz distress signaling, but at a more affordable price. And unlike an EPIRB, they’re small enough to attach to a life jacket.

PS Advisor: 10/15/03

Lifesling Recovery OptionsI've read about the difficulty of getting a crewmember back aboard once s/he's fallen into the water. It's not hard to imagine...

406 MHz EPIRBs

The ACR Global Fix 406 with internal GPS is the top pick, followed by the Pains Wessex SOS Precision. The NAT Satfind lacks an integral GPS, but has a user-changeable battery.

Flamestop

There are some things you can’t have too many of. Fire extinguishers are a good example. A fire extinguisher is most effective when...

Glove Up!

There's a big market these days for "exam" gloves—the kind that used to be reserved for doctors and dentists, but are now used...

Hand Warmers

Cold hands and feet can be debilitating and dangerous when you're trying to get things done at the beginning or the end of the sailing season. We like the Grabber Mycoal pouches, but the other brand names work well, too.

Restoring Decks: Nonskid Options

We evaluated four paints, 10 additives, and three mats for slip resistance, ease of application, and appearance. Treadmaster's mat still rules, in our view. West Marine's paint is a Best Buy.

Life Rafts

Winslow still leads, but the gap narrows. Viking's RescYou Pro earns a Best Buy.

Don’t Launch Without This: The Essential Sailboat Maintenance Guide

Every sailboat needs annual maintenance, but most owners never get a complete list of what actually needs to be inspected. In this video, we...

Latest Sailboat Review

Pearson 30 Used Boat Review

The Pearson 30 was designed as a family cruiser and daysailer with a good turn of speed. The boat is actively raced throughout the country, however, with some holding IOR certificates, and many more racing in PHRF, MORC, and one-design fleets.