Restoring a Classic: How to Get into Sailboat Ownership on a Budget
Some sailboat buyers want (and can afford) to plunk down a boatload of money to get on the water right away. For others, restoring...
Top Fire Blankets for the Offshore Sailor
Fire extinguishers are a U.S. Coast Guard requirement, and every boating instruction manual starts by telling you how many you need, where to mount...
J/109 Used Boat Review
The J/109 is a 35-ft. boat that races well and has some comforts for short term cruising. It is a true racer/cruiser. The first...
Tool Kits For Every Possible Boat Job
Like all sailors that have a home shop and work on their boats, we’re constantly schlepping tools back and forth. I have multiples of...
Hatch Tinting Test
UV is the enemy of both hatches and interior fabrics. Acrylic can resist UV for 15 years or more, but polycarbonate generally begins to...
Unblock Seawater Intake: Dinghy Pump Hose Hack
It was another spectacular summer day as we released the dock lines and once again escaped life ashore, the trusty diesel humming beneath our...
Solid Choices for LED Cabin Lights
Photos by Ralph Naranjo
After several fits and starts, the LED lighting revolution has hit its full stride. Sure, el cheapo LEDs with their flickering...
Caribbean Bareboat Chartering Basics: Daily Sail Plan
If you’ve read “Bareboat Chartering Basics” and want to delve deeper into the planning process, read on for our March 2025 sail plan, which...
Pre-Purchase or Insurance Survey: Which One Do I Need?
You’ve been bitten by the sailing bug and every spare minute is spent searching online for that perfect vessel. You’ve narrowed it down to...
Bottom Sanding Hack To Save Your Back
If you own an older sailboat, you’ve most likely had the dubious joy of working on the bottom. Perhaps multiple coats of bottom paint...