Better Winch Grip
Winches are the power behind the sails. A dinghy can use a 2:1 tackle to sheet in the jib, but greater purchase than that...
Line Stowage Bags and Hooks
Sailboat cockpits will happily collect spaghetti if we let them, each sheet, halyard, and new control line adding to the confusion. The chaos is...
Be Careful with Boom Brakes
I love the idea of a preventer that can be engaged by pulling on just one line and that can be eased just as...
Controlling Jibes and Case Studies
We are vehemently against using a boom brake to prevent a jibe. Even using them to control a jibe introduces problems, requiring that we...
Anchorage Tactics for Sudden Storms
On August 18, a sudden, violent storm ripped through the island of Corsica, packing winds up to 140 mph and tossing once safely moored...
PS Advisor: Rope Coatings to Prolong Cordage Life
New lines run fast. They fly through tackles and tangles fall right out. But they are also hard to hold in our hands, on...
Setting Up Your Own ‘Floating’ Genoa Lead
When setting up a floating lead system, you need to establish the maximum range of positions you may need. With a track system, the...
Solid Rings in Running Rigging
Ball bearing blocks are the low-friction answer for most tackle on board. However, racers and even cruisers, are increasingly making the switch to low...
Do Cruisers Need Jib Leech Telltales?
Telltales on the body of the jib and leech of the main are commonplace, and most of us learned to sail using them. They...
PS Advisor: North-up Versus Heading-up Navigation
When a vigorous debate broke out recently at a local boat show over the ideal orientation of a chartplotter (north up vs. heading up),...
Swann 44 MKII – The Performance Family Cruising Sailboat
Step aboard the legendary Swan 44 MkII – a bluewater cruiser built for serious sailors. In this video, we give you a full tour...
Latest Sailboat Review
Catalina 25 Used Boat Review
The Catalina 25 is not exceptionally fast, stylish, or spacious compared to newer widebody models, and while the construction and workmanship are adequate, they too are not exceptional. But because of the builder's strict adherence to a philosophy of offering a relatively spacious design, relatively well made, at a reasonable price, and backing up the product with generally good customer service, the Catalina 25 has turned out to be one of the most successful small cruising sailboats ever built, with 5,332 boats sold between 1976 and 1990, when the company ceased producing the model as demand tailed off.