Safety & Seamanship

Sea Anchor Match-up

Sea anchors have evolved to become a vital component of the serious sailor's arsenal in heavy weather. We favor Fiorentino's for their rugged construction.

Belt-style Inflatable PFDs

High buoyancy and a good price lifts the Sospenders 38MBP past the competition. Stearns is a close second with its 375 model.

PS Advisor: 10/01/04

Quick-Stop Defined Dan Dickison's editorial mentions "the Quick-Stop." I thought I knew of most of the MOB-type products, but I haven't heard of this...

Inflatable PFDs Put to the Test

The UK-made Crewsaver's Crewfit takes first prize in our test of nine vests. The hitch—it's not USCG approved. Mustang is our runner-up.

Headings: The Bare Essentials

Noted seamanship authority John Rousmaniere offers a problem-focused approach to determining and selecting basic but essential safety equipment for the coastal cruising vessel.

EPIRB Update: 09/04

In the wake of independent tests conducted by the Equipped to Survive Foundation (ETS), wherein the GPS components of two EPIRB models from McMurdo...

Headings: The Academy of the Sea

Closing out 25 years of regular contributions, our Editor-at-Large bids adieu with advice from this year's Newport-Bermuda Race.

Life on the Edge—State of the Art Boatbuilding

Most of us have boats built of fiberglass and have only a vague idea that the hard outer surface is made of gelcoat. Beyond that, our knowledge of the boatbuilding process approaches zero.

Safe and Sound

As of this summer, Practical Sailor enters its fourth decade as a journal of fact and opinion pertaining to the gear and equipment we...

Life on the Edge—State of the Art Boatbuilding

Most of us have boats built of fiberglass and have only a vague idea that the hard outer surface is made of gelcoat. Beyond that, our knowledge of the boatbuilding process approaches zero.

CATAMARAN SHOWDOWN – Outremer 52 vs Lagoon 52: It’s Not Even...

Get ready for one of the most entertaining catamaran reviews we’ve done yet. Today we’re looking at the Outremer 52, a lightweight, high-performance bluewater...

Latest Sailboat Review

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32 Used Boat Review

The Sun Odyssey 32 and Sun Fast 32i are two versions of the same boat, designed by Philippe Briand. The attractive combination may well capture a good share of the market in this size slot.