Safety & Seamanship

Offshore Log: Waiting at the Panama Canal

Before transiting the Panama Canal, Calypso stops in the San Blas Islands and the PCYC.

Offshore Log: Alternator Breakdown

When you don't have a back-up means of charging batteries, you carry a second alternator and learn about belts and tension.

Offshore Log: Across the Isthmus

Calypso transits the Panama Canal, but not without a few scary moments.

Offshore Log: Across the Pacific

Racing through paradise, Calypso sails nearly 5,000 miles from Panama to Tahiti. The GPS is a boon, but the watermaker and mini-M fail, causing problems.

Trim Design Turnbuckle

Big ships had bulwarks, hip-high extensions of the topsides to prevent the crew from falling or being swept overboard. Yachts had nothing; maybe a...

Buyer’s Guide: Children’s PFDs

For ultimate safety, we like the Type 1 Safegard, though kids prefer more comfortable vests such as the Type III Kent Casad and Extrasport.

Buyer’s Guide: Handheld Emergency Flares

The SOLAS-grade Pains-Wessex Pinpoint flares are bright and spatter-free at a reasonable price.

Buyer’s Guide: Simrad CP32 and RayChart 520 Top Gray Scale GPS/Chartplotters

The Simrad CP32 and Raytheon RayChart 520 have the best combination of features and displays of 10 gray scale units tested.

Offshore Log: Rigged For Downwind

Nick Nicholson critiques his downwind rig that uses a carbon fiber spinnaker pole from Hall Spars with Forespar end fittings.

Sunscreens: We Test Nine

With little difference between brands, we say go for Nantucket Gold at less than a dollar per ounce.

$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...