Sails, Rigging & Deck Gear

PS Advisor: 05/01/04

Sailplan Balancing ActYour February 1 editorial on the benefits of small, self-tending headsails is thought-provoking. As I enter my golden years, I like the...

PS Advisor: 04/15/04

Stuffing Box HoseIve been scouring the Web to try and find what the specs are for stuffing box hose. I know one shouldn't use...

Winch Handles

Getting the most out of modern multi-speed, self-tailing winches requires strong, smooth-turning handles with good grips. Here's a scan of the crowd.

Chandlery: 04/15/04

Suunto M9 Wristop ComputerIn the trend towards miniaturization in electronics, there's a fine line between true utility and whiz-bang cleverness for its own sake....

Windlass Test

Maxwell’s Freedom 500 speeds past all competitors in an under-$1,000 powerwinch pull-off. The Lewmar Horizon 600 is the top horizontal windlass.

PS Advisor: 02/01/04

Anchoring Hand SignalsYour recent article on anchoring prompted a discussion among friends. Is there an agreed-upon set of hand signals for anchoring, between...

Headsail Roller Furlers

Time was, roller-furling systems were regarded as fragile, fair-weather gear. Now they're a must-have for most—even offshore. Here's a scan of major manufacturers, and the results of our reader survey.

Plea-Free Tacking

I wonder how many people have given up sailing because of the effort it takes to tack a genoa shorthanded. Aside from hitting hard...

Kellets On the Rode

The day after our anchor tests this year we took a couple of commercially made anchor rode sentinels (also called kellets) out into the...

Anchor Tests 2003: Soft Sand Over Hard Sand

In tough testing conditions, and considered by weight, the aluminum Fortress and galvanized West Marine Performance2 do well, along with the Spade Model 80 and the Bulwagga.

Anchor Swivels: The Shiny Part That Can Lose Your Boat

Anchor swivels are everywhere. They’re shiny, expensive, and sold as a “must-have” upgrade for your anchoring system. But do they actually solve a real...

Latest Sailboat Review

Jeanneau 65 Used Boat Review

From the drawing board of Philippe Briand, a renowned marine architect over the past four decades, comes the Jeanneau Yachts 65. This boat is...