Winches: Ratios and Reality
When comparing winches, its important to understand how input and output interface. The winch handle is a rotary lever that is the first stage...
Sewn Splices Two-Year Followup
The true test of marine gear is not whether it works when installed, but rather how it functions after years in the field. To...
The No-sew Webbing Strap with Link Buckle
Weve sewn our fair share of eyes in nylon webbing, but heres an easy no-sew alternative for creating a webbing strap with a buckle...
Fitting a Roller Furling Line
Replacing the roller-furling control line is an easy do-it-yourself job for the boat owner. Inexpensive, double-braid Dacron is a fine choice for furling lines...
Testing a Dynamic Traveler
Sailors gaze longingly at the rope wall at the local chandlery, coveting rope made from exotic fibers that promises ultra-low stretch and light weight,...
Refining Furling Line Fairleads
There was a time when headsail handling meant snapping on bronze piston-hanks and hauling on a smooth-running halyard. Times have changed, and now its...
Untangling Furling-line Fairlead Logistics
Headsail furling on sailboats 40 feet and shorter should be able to be accomplished with a hand-over-hand pull on the furling line. If a...
Going Soft on Shackles
Fiber shackles have been in use for centuries-the simple knotted toggles provided all manner of service on square-riggers and even older craft. When made...
UV, Chafe Protection
What We FoundIn our search for the best way to protect a stitched loop or splice, we made several interesting discoveries.None of the liquid...
Abrasion and Break Testing
Testers first task was to determine whether any of these coatings could weaken line in the near term. To do this, we formed 20-inch...
The Cheap Big Cruising Sailboat – Endeavour 42
Interested in a 40-45 foot cruising sailboat? Sailing Florida or the Bahamas and need a shoal draft sailboat that’s big enough to be a...
Latest Sailboat Review
Cheoy Lee Clipper 36 & 42 Used Boat Review
Cheoy Lee Shipyards of Hong Kong has been a commercial builder since the early 1900s and is one of the first molders of fiberglass...