The Cruising Sailors Drivetrain
When a cruising sailor starts thinking about exploring fjords and glaciers, he starts putting a little more thought into his boat’s diesel engine and drivetrain components. High-latitude cruising sailor Andy O’Grady writes about several parts that has served him well in extreme conditions: the Kiwiprop, the Manecraft dripless prop shaft seal, the PRM150 transmission, and the K&N reusable air filter.
Sailing Safety Tethers: Tested and Reviewed
Noted West Coast sailor Skip Allan - fresh from "falling" off the deck of Wildflower in our harness test (December 2006) - spent several days offshore again, this time tangling with sailing safety tethers. The results were shocking. Several major retailers continue to sell safety tethers with jackline snap hooks that might disengage themselves, and one of the two child safety tethers we tested broke - twice.
Testing New Anchors in Mud
Do those shiny, polished stainless steel anchors that hang from the bow rollers of boat-show boats actually set well and hold? In our latest anchor update, Practical Sailor examines the ability of some very expensive stainless steel anchors to set and hold in soft mud. The lineup includes the 28-pound STL Powerhold 350, an adjustable 25-pound anchor from Hunter Boat Anchors, and an odd-looking anchor called the Ton.
Mailport: 12/06
MARINE INSURANCE REDUXI have been reading with much interest your articles about marine insurance this year (April and May 2006).
Rhumb Lines — Getting a Fix on Reality
It was mid-July 1990 on the Caicos Banks, a stretch of shallow, gin-clear water extending for about 70 miles east to west in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Along with a dozen other cruisers whod chosen to thumb our noses at hurricane season (ah, those were simpler times), we were pausing in Providenciales before heading south. …
By Hook or by Crook
PS puts adjustable anchors to the test in soft mud.
Rattling Some Mooring Chain
After six months, Acco proof coil looks the best of the seven test chains.
Riding the ‘A’-train
Prices, advice vary greatly when it comes to asymmetrical sails.
Riding the A-train
Prices, advice vary greatly when it comes to asymmetrical sails.
A Fistful of Splicing Fids
The stainless set from Selma combines elegant design with durability.
Latest Logbook
Practical Sailor Logbook – September 2026
In September we tour the Hans Christian 48T — the offshore cruiser many sailors call the holy grail — walk the custom Antigua 60...
Video: The BEST Sailboat You Can Buy for $35,000 – Catalina...
If you’re searching for a mid-30-foot sailboat, affordable cruising sailboat, liveaboard sailboat, first sailboat, or a capable used sailboat for coastal cruising, the Catalina...
Latest Sailboat Reviews
Learning by Doing on a $5,000 Catalina 30 Mk II
When Davis’s mother started talking about wanting to do something “big” for retirement, Davis and Gloria half-jokingly threw out an idea that seemed suitably...
