Safety & Seamanship

COB Recovery — Making Contact

In the first of two installments, writer, sailor, and safety authority John Rousmaniere reports on a landmark test of gear and methods used to assist in crew overboard recovery.

COB Recovery — Making Contact

In the first of two installments, writer, sailor, and safety authority John Rousmaniere reports on a landmark test of gear and methods used to assist in crew overboard recovery.

PS Advisor: 10/15/05

High-Tech LifelinesI have a Pearson 323 and was inquiring of Layline, the retail outlet, about the replacement of my stainless lifelines with Spectra line....

Lifeline Netting

Since the time that cotton was first cultivated in ancient Mexico in 5700 B.C., netting came only in cotton's natural color, which is a...

Mid-size Inflatables: Mercury Wins

Mercury's 240 outperformed six other roll-up inflatables with a dry ride, excellent control, and the lowest price. Bombard's AX2 is good, but short on space. And West Marine's RU-260 is big, but expensive.

PS Advisor: 08/01/05

Jackline OptionsMy wife and I recently traded up to a new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35. It's beautiful, fast, comfortable, and comes with nearly everything...

Equipping for Crew Overboard Safety

In anticipation of a landmark test of COB retrieval gear scheduled for later this summer, seamanship authority John Rousmaniere assesses the gear we currently rely on.

Personal Strobe Lights

Every couple of years, PS gathers and tests personal strobe lights just to stay on top of the offerings in this important market niche....

Compasses: Winners, Losers Abound

Ritchie, Danforth, and Plastimo, all fared well in our test, but each also had a loser—so choosing compasses carefully is warranted.

Inflatable Boats Under $1,000

Mercury's 200RU, with its stable, dry ride and standard seat, takes top honors, followed by the lighter, albeit wetter, Bombard AX-1.

$40,000 for a 40 Foot Cruiser? The Bristol 40 Reality Check

You can find Bristol 39s and Bristol 40s for around $40,000 — and at first glance, that sounds like one of the best deals...

Latest Sailboat Review

Tartan 33 Used Boat Review

In 1978, Tartan brought out the Tartan Ten, a 33', fairly light, fractionally-rigged "offshore one design." The boat was a huge success: fast, easy to sail, and unencumbered by the design limitations of a rating rule. But the Tartan Ten had one big problem: limited accommodations with stooping headroom, an interior most kindly described as spartan. A hardy crew could take the Tartan Ten on a multi-day race such as the Mackinac, and you might even coax your family aboard for a weekend of camping out. But cruising or extended racing in comfort? Forget it!