Sails, Rigging & Deck Gear

Tips on Anchoring In Mud

Perhaps this seems like going back to school, but procedure can be critical in soft mud, and I’ll wager most old cruising hands from...

Taking Our Test Anchors Out for a Wiggle-walk

First, we established baseline holding capacities for the 2-pound anchors by pull testing each anchor after letting it settle into the bottom for 10...

Deep Anchors Stay Put in Moderate Yawing

Setting history matters. If the anchor is deeply set, a good portion of the rode is pulled underground, the anchor is in firmer substrate,...

Yawing and Anchor Holding

I can’t leave a boat that’s yawing. I can’t sleep. Each time I’ve had an anchor fail suddenly it was caused by excessive yawing....

Fad or Function? Fathead Sails Offer A Little of Both

Full-length battens create a compression load on the luff end, requiring ball bearing luff car system for sails over about 300 square feet. Off...

Finding Balance with Your New Fathead Sail

The center of effort will move aft compared to a pinhead and forward compared to a full roach sail. Whether this is good or...

Pros and Cons of ‘Fathead’ Mainsail

The triangular mainsail of a Marconi rig has never been the most aerodynamic shape. The narrow tip produces wasteful tip vortices and little lift. Developmental...

Steiner Stands By its Binos

I recently had an experience with the service department at Steiner Optics that deserves mention in your Where Credit is Due, feature. Thirty plus years...

The Case of the Painted Jib

Polyester sailcloth is amazingly strong and durable stuff, often completing trips around the world or decades of weekend sailing. Its Achilles heel is the...

Mailport: Iron Keels, Clothes for Cold, Anchor Roll Bars

KEEL MATERIAL It would be useful for PS to list which manufacturers use iron encapsulated in their keel. I am surprised to learn that many...

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...