Make Your Own Rugged Fender Boards
We described a simple home-built version several years ago (Practical Sailor, December 2011); here we present a few simple upgrades on the same basic...
Reliable Chain Connections
We often get asked about joining two shots of chain together without compromising strength. You have a number of options-including some that are just...
Carving Out Cores
A modified roofing nail is perhaps the most versatile tool for removing core when sealing fastener holes. It is much easier to control than...
Elastic Mooring Systems
When Hurricane Irma plowed through the Florida Keys, it left behind both a trail of destruction and a wealth of information for us to...
Screw types prove their mettle in load testing.
The mechanics at work at the other end of your mooring line matter as much as the mooring line and pendant. In 2009, Practical...
Most well-made cleats fit the bill, but beware.
In the 90s, the Boat US Foundation performed a study of deck cleat strength. Testing was performed using 6-inch cleats of a number of...
Regalvanizing G70 Chain
As high tensile G70 chain becomes more prevalent in the marine market, Practical Sailor has been busy testing the limits of this material, which...
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...
How To Buy Sails – With Joe Cooper
Looking to learn how to buy sails for your sailboat? Deciding between Dacron sails or laminate sails? Thinking about how to buy carbon fibre...
