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Tally Hos' spacious cockpit, winches close at hand. Alaskan yellow cedar decking with teak trim. The original main sheet gibe buffer is visible over the bronze tiller. Note the high bulwarks without lifelines. (Photo/ Bert Vermeer)

Tally Ho: Historic Boat Review

This is not going to be your typical Practical Sailor boat review. Not by any stretch of the imagination. You will not be able...
Forty-eight year old Sam Carson, now living and working in London, England, spent 20 of his first 30 years of life at sea. After being raised aboard our boat Kluane and circumnavigating the Pacific as a child, he proceeded to circumnavigate the globe aboard the tall ship Concordia while doing his Grade 12 in a Canadian education program hosted by Class Afloat out of Montreal, Quebec. Sam subsequently became crew aboard the Concordia for several years and again circumnavigated the globe - being one of few people in the world who have sailed both Capes twice on a tall ship. Sam obtained his 200 ton Captain license and worked professionally aboard private boats for another 10 years. With his working career on boats now finished he happily sails the Solent in England solo in his private boat as often as time allows. (Photo/ Pamela Bendall)

The Social Dynamics of Offshore Cruisers

Offshore cruisers and boaters come in all shapes and sizes. The greatest highlight of my nearly 40 years of ocean sailing and over 200,000...
Testing the shaker siphon. The most spill-proof, low-strain way to transfer fuel from a jerry can to the tank. Yes, there are motorized versions and versions with a pump-bulb, but all these do is make it more complicated. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

Five Best Gasoline and Diesel Transfer Tools

Caution. Do NOT use hoses or funnels that are not rated for gasoline to transfer gasoline. In addition to potential material compatibility problems, they...
(Photo/ Bert Vermeer)

Catalina 445 Used Boat Review

Rob Miller began his sailing life in dinghies in the waters south of the suburbs of Vancouver, British Columbia at age 10. Interest in...
The cabin sole with water damage, looking aft towards the companionway from the salon. The new damage is on the left, while the old damage is near the doorway at the top of the photo. (Photo/ Bert Vermeer)

How to Repair a Water-Damaged Teak and Holly Sole

A sailing buddy came to me looking for advice. He had inadvertently left a portlight open and a combination of rain and snow had...
This finishing bench is a rough copy of one I saw in a sailmaker’s workshop. It is both a piece of furniture and an efficient tool for periodic sail maintenance. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

Five Best Homemade Sail Repair and Splicing Tools

I doubt there is a sailmaker out there who doesn’t have a few shop-built tools in daily use. Here are five of my favorites:...
Anchor chocks hold an anchor securely on any reasonably flat surface, but you’ll need to drill 10 holes to mount the component parts, so think twice about this option. (Photo and line drawing courtesy of Sea-Dog)

Handling Anchors on Boats Without Anchor Lockers

How do you keep an anchor and its rode at the ready if you don’t have an anchor locker up at the bow? It’s...
Misirlou’s gravity drain holding tank mid-installation showing tank valve, Tee to deck pump-out fitting and home-made activated charcoal vent filter. (Photo/ Tom Egan)

Holding Tank Lessons Learned

“Yay! Another article about blackwater holding tanks!” Said no one ever. This is nobody’s favorite subject, but like it or not, responsible waste management...
Our home for 10 days, Saint-Blue, a Lagoon 38. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

Caribbean Bareboat Chartering Basics: 2025 Updates

We just got back from a 10 day bareboat charter in the British Virgin Island (BVIs) and I wanted to share some new information...
Savvy Navvy anchor alarm display.

Navigation App Review: Savvy Navvy

When Savvy Navvy navigation app asked me to review the app and share my impressions, I was curious enough to do a little background...

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.