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Sails, Rigging & Deck Gear

SNADs: Snaps Without Screws

No one likes drilling holes in their boat, and to drill holes for a simple snap seems like overkill. I love snaps for window...

Stickier Sail Tape with 3M Primer

Self-adhesive hardware-store hooks don’t stick well to bare fiberglass. Just last week we had one wash into the bilge-pump strainer on our test boat....

Mailport: Boat heaters, digital charts, photophobia, downsizing

HEATING EFFICIENCY I just saw, with interest, your article about onboard fireplace safety, with the emphasis on safety (see “LPG Fireplace Safety Guidelines,” Inside Practical Sailor)....

Hatching a Hatch Plan

Alazarette that closes at the wrong moment can cost you a broken finger—or worse. I should know. A failed latch on an oil field...

The Super-compact Sailboat Dodger

Sailing in general, but especially offshore, can sometimes be a wet experience particularly on a low-freeboard boat like Far Reach, our highly modified Cape...

Rugged Winch Handle Holders

In 40 years of sailing I’ve lost only two winch handles. I was reefing the main when I lost the first. I reached up...

Liquid Chafe Protection

We recently learned that Spinlock RP25, one of our favorite cordage treatment used to prevent chafe and to improve grip in jammers has been...

Ultra Fairleads and Soft Padeyes

If a line does not approach a cam cleat close to level, the line may slip out or be hard to cleat or release....

Mailport: Winch Maintenance, Painting Jib, DIY Mainsail Cover

BLANKET WINCH SERVICE Regarding your blog post “Simple Tips on Servicing Your Sailboat Winches,” I do my winches every two years when the boat is...

The Science of Stern Anchoring

Sailboats yaw at anchor. In prior reports we discussed seriously yawing can compromise anchor security, and we talked about how a riding sail can...

Island Packet 370: What You Should Know | Boat Review

Interested in buying an Island Packet 370 sailboat? Find an Island Packet for sale? Looking to sell your boat? Practical Sailor editor Tim Labute...