Sails Canvas

Online Help for Autumn

It's getting to be that time of year, when many skippers haul out or head south. Fall also heralds the beginning of boat show...

A Custom-fitted Clew Strap

After settling on the material, one of the most basic mainsail design questions is whether to have an attached foot or loose-foot. A sail...

Make Your Own Over-the-Boom Riding Sail

Delighted with the performance of the over-the-boom riding sail, we decided to make our own. To measure, we outlined the proposed sail area with -inch...

Rest Easy with a Riding Sail

Even when your anchor is well designed and ideally matched to your boat, there are four common factors that can cause an anchor to...

Sails and Summer Projects

While most of us are-hopefully-out sailing this summer, we know that many sailors are busy with system upgrades, do-it-yourself projects, and the usual marine...

Long-term Clear Vinyl Protection

When the clear vinyl on one of our multihull test boats began to crack and fade after approximately 10 years, the costs estimates for...

Making Sail Repairs Last

Polyester has long been the workhorse sail fabric; durable, easy to sew and handle, and relatively stretch resistant. It is also relatively easier to...

Anti-Seize Coatings for Spars

If you've ever been humbled by a single impossibly stuck fastener, or plan on adding hardware to your spar, running gear, or deck, this...

Adding Yarn Telltales to Your Sail

Fixed wind indicators tell the direction of the wind relative to the boat, but it is the flow within a few inches of the...

Reading the Telltales on Your Sails

Even the most laid-back cruiser has days when he would like to get there an hour sooner. But speed is not the only reason...

Island Packet 370: What You Should Know | Boat Review

Interested in buying an Island Packet 370 sailboat? Find an Island Packet for sale? Looking to sell your boat? Practical Sailor editor Tim Labute...