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.
How Long Do Sails Last?
How long do sails actually last? Sailmakers often say cruising sails last around 10–15 years, but what happens when you discover a sail that’s...
Latest Sailboat Review
Jeanneau 55 Boat Review
This recent sailboat from Jeanneau may as well be a spaceship. They’ve taken all the time-honored designs of a monohull aft cockpit and turned...