Offshore Log: Made In New Zealand

Sailors shopping for boat gear get a lot of bang for the buck in this sailing-crazy island nation.

Weems & Plath GPS Plotter

We regularly point out that chart plotters, GPS receivers, and navigation software should be thought of as supplements to—and not replacements for—paper charts, even...

Offshore Log: Anatomy of a Machine

The Offshore Log this month is a photo essay from the lions' den in New Zealand. And a rope tale.

Offshore Log: America’s Cup Technology

From the cutting edge to the mainstream-at the apex of the racing scene, sailors break things until they get them right. Eventually, the refined parts trickle down to the rest of us.

Type IV Throwable PFDs

The Jim-Buoy life ring did well in throw and flotation tests, as did horseshoes from Jim-Buoy and Forespar. A new hybrid—the Lifeline cushion with attached throw rope—is a versatile device that could become a simple staple.

Electronic Charting Evolution

The following report was written by RonDoescher, of Westford, MA. It started as a letter to Mailport, and turned into a very interesting...

Offshore Log: The Real Cost of Cruising

There are extremes, but most people can probably cruise for what it costs to live ashore. Here's a list of expense categories to consider.

Handheld Horns & Whistles

The Coast Guard requires competent noise-making. Here are the horns and whistles to do it.

Which Sunscreen?

SPF-30 sunscreens fare about the same on our now-striped volunteer. Consider cost per ounce.

Offshore Log: Check Your Lifelines, Save Your Life

Nick makes the case for bare-wire lifelines, double set-screws at the stanchion bases, and vigilance.

Fast Sailboats Your Wife Will Love | Bruce Farr & Beneteau

If you’re searching for fast cruising sailboats that don’t sacrifice comfort, the Beneteau First 40.7 might be one of the best answers ever built....

Latest Sailboat Review

Rhodes 22 Used Boat Review

Designed by Phillip Rhodes back in 1960, the Rhodes 22 is a trailerable cruiser for a couple that wants the amenities of a larger boat without putting up with the hassles and expenses of a larger boat. It's clearly not a racing boat. It's also not a "shoehorn special," whose claim to fame is how many persons it can sleep. And it's not an inexpensive boat for its size. The Rhodes 22, from its inception, has been a purpose-built boat. And, with a history of detail improvements and some innovative thinking, it meets that purpose quite well.