Rudder Restoration: Eight Lessons Learned

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Does your rudder feel unsteady, with play in the tiller or wheel? Do you experience vibration at certain speeds or slapping or thudding sounds...

Wireless Engine Cut-Off Switches Evolve Into Man-Overboard Alarm Systems

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Even sailing greenhorns are familiar with those red coiled lanyards that are, theoretically, attached from an engine’s cut-off switch (ECOS) to the operator’s life...

Underwater Epoxy Test

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Although laminating epoxies can tolerate some moisture, we know that excessive moisture can prevent a good cure. So how can we manage an emergency...

Phosphate Conversion Coatings: The DIY Rust Fix That Also Protects

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In the process of rediscovering my machining hobby, I dug out my long-ignored collection of machinist tools from a great uncle who worked in...

Seven Common Boat Problems You Can’t Ignore (and How to Fix Them)

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As I approach twenty years of surveying boats, most issues that I encounter are repetitive. The root causes for these repeat problems usually involve...

Winch Buyer’s Guide: A Look at 7 Brands and 76 Self-Tailing Models

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Beyond the shape of the hull and the presence of a mast, nothing distinguishes a sailboat from a powerboat more than the sight and...

Short Scope Anchor Test

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In the process of our ongoing investigation on the effect of time and wind gusts on anchor setting and holding capacity, we performed limited testing at short scope and couldnt help but notice that holding capacity at short scope varied greatly. When recovering the test anchors, some anchors would lift out of the bottom while we were pulling the dinghy over to them, while others required heroic efforts even when the rode was nearly vertical.

Hole or Slot? Getting Shackle Side Loading Right on Your Anchor

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“This anchor has a hole instead of a slot like the others. Is that OK?” A fair question. Surprisingly, perhaps, name brand anchors can...
Photo sources: Elco, ePropulsion, Mercury Marine, Remigo, Temo and Torqeedo

Buyer’s Guide: 14 Electric Outboard Options From 2.5 to 9.9 Horsepower

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Battery power has come a long way, whether considering automobiles, power tools, lawn and garden equipment, or marine outboard motors. Cost parity between electric...

Download The Full June 2024 Issue PDF

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    Practical Sailor is now a digital only product. The June issue was the last PDF and print issue. The increasing costs of paper and postage moved us to this difficult decision. But Practical Sailor still exists.

    Downloadable, PDF editions of new issues are no longer available. Each week, new content appears on the site and is shared via email in a more timely manner. And our new YouTube channel is filled with boat and product review videos. By logging onto the site, you’ll have access to everything we publish. There is nothing to download anymore.

    Readers were notified of this change multiple times in pages of the magazine and via email, beginning in April.

    New editors, writers, formats. We hope you’ll continue to benefit from Practical Sailor and continue to subscribe.

    The Practical Sailor editors

  • Bootstripe Perfection
  • The DIY Bootstripe Jig
  • Origo Stove Reborn?
  • Alcohol Stove Sense
  • Burning Issues
  • Penetrating Epoxies
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Latest Logbook

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Practical Sailor Logbook – September 2026

In September we tour the Hans Christian 48T — the offshore cruiser many sailors call the holy grail — walk the custom Antigua 60...

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When Davis’s mother started talking about wanting to do something “big” for retirement, Davis and Gloria half-jokingly threw out an idea that seemed suitably...

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