Worship Your Universal M-Series Diesel With the Marinized Kubota Block

The Universal name resonates with many of us as one of the best sailboat engines available. Despite Universal Motor Corp. no longer being in...

Prop and Shaft Check

A vessels drive train is typically defined as the components between the engine transmission coupling and the bitter end of the propeller shaft. For traditional drive trains, this includes the propeller, shaft, cutless bearing and packing gland, although the list could also be expanded to encompass ancillary items such as the rudder, engine mounts, and engine bedworks. Heres a look at two major drive train components you should know and what to look for when inspecting each. Next month well look at the components inside the boat-stuffing box, shaft, and coupler.

Breaking Point: What Can Go Wrong With Your Yanmar?

If you want to know more about the little Yanmar chugging away in your sailboat, it helps to learn about this iconic engine maker’s...
Applying the soundproofing material. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

DIY Soundproofing for the Engine Compartment

As sailors, once we’ve cleared the outer markers of our club, marina or harbor, we look forward to raising our sails and we enjoy...

Rudder Mods for Low-speed Docking

Any sailor who has tried to wrestle a full-keel ketch with a barn-door rudder into a tight slip has probably wondered if they could...

Anti-Seize Coatings for Spars

If youve ever been humbled by a single impossibly stuck fastener, or plan on adding hardware to your spar, running gear, or deck, this report on anti-seize protectants is right up your alley.

Storing Diesel Fuel

When it comes to storing a gasoline powered vessel, you are generally better off keeping tanks full, adding a corrosion-inhibiting additive, and installing a...
Bilge hose connected to the air intake, sucking hot air from the alternator area. (Photo/ Bert Vermeer)

Alternator Overheat: A Surprising Solution for Older Boats

Over the years, and with two different small diesels working in the tight quarters of the engine compartment of our 1978 Islander Bahama 30,...
The dinghy pump connected to the raw water hose removed from the strainer, ready to blow air back through the saildrive leg, ready to be taped. (Photo/ Bert Vermeer)

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...

Offshore Log: Thoughts on Engine Spares For Cruising

Emptying out the spares inventory for Calypso's Perkins diesel was an eye-opener—there were plenty of parts back-ups, and, in Nick's view, all for the best of reasons.

Why Sailors Still Want This Slow Old Cruiser – Down East...

In this Practical Sailor boat tour, we take a deep look at the Downeaster 38, also known as the Down East 38, a classic...

Latest Sailboat Reviews

Are Old Boats Worth Buying?

Shopping for a sailboat? Whether you are buying your first boat or just making a change, you will quickly come up against the classic...