An Inquiry into Anchor Angles
Designers of boat anchors deal in a handful of variables. The holding capacity of an anchor derives from its fluke, particularly the flukes size,...
In Search of the Ultimate Boat Hook
The basic design of the humble boat hook hasn't changed much over the years, but it has seen upgrades in construction and materials, along...
Keeping Ice at Bay
Southern sailors often put their boats away for a few months when the water gets a little cool. Northern sailors have a more definitive...
Installation Tips for Deicers
When it comes to deicers, proper installation is key. Here are some tips to ensure your setup will optimize ice removal.The deicer should be...
Anchor Shackles Round II
In our recent investigation into anchor shackles, Anchor Shackles, the $15 Insurance Policy (PS August 2015 online), we were aware that our sampling lacked...
How Much Drag is in a Drogue?
Weve long been interested in drogues, devices specifically designed to be towed behind a boat to reduce speed and to produce directional stability in...
Field Testing Drag, Behavior
We did not test every drogue that appears in the accompanying table, PS Value Guide: Drogues. However, we collected a huge amount of test...
Doubling Up: Full-size Tandem Anchoring
When you've tested anchors as long as Practical Sailor has, you feel pressed to explore unconventional arrangements that others advocate-particularly if the advocates include...
Tandem Anchoring
Recent tests on a miserable holding bottom in the Chesapeake Bay (see PS, February 2015 online) showed that conventionally sized anchors just don't hold...
Small Versus Large Anchors
The consensus among anchor makers (Fortress, Bruce, Manson, Mantus) is that holding power in soft bottoms increases in approximate proportion with anchor mass; exponents...
The Great Loop – The Basics
Join us this week as we discuss taking a sailboat around North America's great boating adventure - The Great Loop. We discuss advice from...
