Sails, Rigging & Deck Gear

Anchor Swivels: Caution Required

Bearing FailureThe bearing where the two forks join and rotate is also prone to failure. Commonly, the bearing is a threaded stud set into...

Fishing Rigs for Sailors

The low-cost, space-saving yo-yo hand reel is the most basic, efficient fishing gear you can find-its essentially a handline modernized with a molded plastic...

Anchor Shackles: The $15 Insurance Policy

ConclusionThe Peerless and Crosby shackles all met or exceeded minimum specifications, and the Campbell shackle fell short by only a whisker. American-made shackles appear...

Pull it Until it Breaks

All testing was carried out at an approved test facility in Newcastle, Australia: J.L. Robertsons, which is adjacent to one of Australias large coal-mining...

Breaking Down Performance

Photos by Ralph Naranjo When it comes to sailboats, performance is a relative term, especially when it comes to a crews concept of how the...

A Closer Look at the Rationale Behind the Ratios

Sailboat performance varies based on the eye of the beholder. Racers want light-air alacrity and a willingness to plane while cruisers want directional stability...

Anchor Chain and Shackles

Ive been studying your recent articles on chain and galvanizing (see PS June 2014 and January 2015 online), as I am about to replace...

Screw-on Rigging Terminals

Standing rigging has been evolving ever since natural fiber lines were lashed, knotted, or spliced to wooden spars, and led down to crudely fashioned,...

Step By Step: Threaded Terminal Fittings

Each manufacturer offers specific guidance for terminal assembly, and some do a better job than others. The following is a generic description of the...

A Decade-long Norseman Fitting Sea Trial

A couple of months ago, PS Technical Editor Ralph Naranjo disassembled a headstay that he had used aboard his Ericson 41 sloop, Wind Shadow,...

Tayana 37: What You Should Know | Boat Review

Looking to buy a 35-40 foot sailboat? Considering a Tayana 37? See a Tayana 37 for sale? What are the pros and cons of...