Safety & Seamanship

Emergency Rigging Cutters

The new Toolova Shootit 12 is a no-brainer at the high end-it cuts wire and rod almost like butter. At the low end, the old hacksaw does pretty well, too.

Offshore Log: The Volvo 60: Not Your Mom’s Station Wagon

Practical Sailor's Nick Nicholson, one of three measurers for the Volvo Ocean Race, monitors the design and construction of the boats, sails, and equipment used.

Daytime Distress Signals: Flares Shine in the Wind

No matter how you put out a call for help on the water—VHF, EPIRB, cell phone, or mental telepathy—sooner or later you'll need to...

Offshore Log: European Safety Solutions

Nick Nicholson photographs man-overboard gear on the docks of Marmaris.

PFDs Set Straight

Confused about today’s growing number of types and styles of life jackets? No wonder. Here's a primer on the rules, as well as some common-sense advice.

Wrestling With PFDs

We have a good article on PFDs this month, and it's worried me every time I've looked at it. These worries can probably be...

Brinkmann, LSI, Optronics Shine Bright in Spotlight Test

Sixteen lights from six manufacturers.

Offshore Log: Mediterranean Idyll

Calypso checks the styles in Marmaris, and overhauls her chain.

Offshore Log: A Haulout in Turkey

With good facilities available, Calypso receives some standard TLC after traveling half the globe.

Fire Extinguishers: A Good Bunch, But Get More than the Minimum

They all performed comparably, but we'd pick the Kidde 1044, which was somewhat effective on Class-A fires and discharged for three seconds longer than the others.

$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

Dragonfly 25-2 Boat Review

If you’ve ever dreamed of blasting across the water at 25 knots with the wind in your hair and the spray in your face...