Life Raft Materials, Construction and Servicing
A follow-up to our three-part series evaluates PU, PVC and various rubber fabrics.
Sea Anchors & Drogues
Taking bad weather bow-to or stern-to is a fundamental quandary. Much depends on your boat. Then you have to decide which sea anchor or drogue to buy. We sort through the decision tree.
Close As A Pencil Point
On May 1, President Clinton announced that the selective availability (SA) system used to degrade GPS (global positioning system) signals was terminated, effective at...
Sailor’s Knives: 14 High-End Blades Tested
The Boye Dendritic Cobalt ‘Prophet’ tops the scoring, followed by three excellent models from Benchmade
20 Electric Bilge Pumps Tested
Top performers from Attwood, Lovett, Rule, West Marine and Whale vary considerably by model, but when all is said and done, we like the Whale Supersub, Rule-Mate and Lovett 1200.
SailorÂ’s Knives: 14 High-End Blades Tested
The Boye Dendritic Cobalt ‘Prophet’ tops the scoring, followed by three excellent models from Benchmade
Coastal Life Rafts: Eight-Model Evaluation
Part 2— In-the-water tests and detailed examinations of coastal life rafts from DBC, Plastimo, Switlik, West Marine and Winslow finds real differences in design, performance and equipment. Our ratings will help you make a sound, safe choice.
Offshore Log: Essential Forecasting Tools
Our years of sailing in New England and the Caribbean, with their stable, predictable weather patterns, left us ill-prepared to deal with the vagaries...
Sydney-Hobart Race: Rogue Waves Do The Damage
The report on the disaster that took six lives points the finger more directly at gear and seamanship than yacht design.
How To Go Cheap! The Annapolis Sailboat Show
Planning a trip to the 2026 Annapolis Sailboat Show? In this video, I’m sharing my best insider tips for getting the most out of...
Latest Sailboat Reviews
Brewer 12.8/44 Used Boat Review
The Brewer 12.8 and the Brewer 44 are developments of the Whitby 42, a cruising boat from the board of Ted Brewer. Brewer is one of the great modern cruising boat designers. His boats are well-mannered, attractive and practical. To improve windward performance, a high aspect ratio centerboard extends through the bottom of the 12.8's shallow keel. Since the board is not ballasted, it does not affect stability, but can be used when reaching to shift the center of lateral resistance.
