Electrical

Keep Your Cool With A/C

Part 1—How marine air-conditioning systems work and what to look for when shopping for one.

Bolder and Statpower Battery Packs

In the October 15, 1999 issue we reported on battery packs. The newest version of sealed technology releases its charge rapidly, without wasting energy as internal heat.

Cabin Fan Destruction Test

In the double issue of September, 1999, was a report—part of a special section on ventilation—on cabin fans.A dozen fans were tested for noise,...

AGM Batteries: Optima Our Choice

If weight is not a consideration we also recommend the 81-pound GNB Stowaway multi-purpose sealed AGM battery.

Offshore Log:More (Shore) Power To The People

Now in Australia, Calypso gets a stepdown transformer for 240-volt shorepower.

Offshore Log:More (Shore) Power To The People

Now in Australia, Calypso gets a stepdown transformer for 240-volt shorepower.

Smart Chargers: Statpower TrueCharge+ Still Top Dog

For years, the battery charger has been the stone simple, ferroresonant type consisting of a transformer which takes 110 AC and steps it down...

When Do You Need A High-Output Alternator?

In our last report on high-output alternators (HOPA), in the September 1994 issue, five leading brands were tested. The conclusion was that there is...

Solar Tests: Kyocera and Uni-Solar

The September 1998 issue contained test results of 10 solar panels-the Siemens SP-70, SM-50, SM-46, SM-20, SM-10 and SM-6, Solarex MSX-18 and MSX-10L, and...

Battery Monitors: The E-Meter Vs. the Sophisticated SALT

In the February 15, 1997 issue, we reviewed battery monitors and stated that Cruising Equipments E-Meter was the only one of the four models...

Lagoon 55 – The Perfect Charter Boat for Your Caribbean Vacation

Looking for the ultimate sailing vacation in the Caribbean? Step aboard the Lagoon 55, a modern catamaran that combines luxury, comfort, and performance—making it...

Latest Sailboat Review

Irwin Citation 34 Used Boat Review

The Irwin 34 is in many respects a typical Irwin boat. It was originally called the "Citation 34," which was meant to indicate that it was more of a plush cruiser than the race-oriented Irwins at the time, but more of a racer than the larger cruisers. According to the company, 305 Irwin 34s were built in the production run, from 1978 to 1985, a moderate but successful model for the era. Near the end of its production, the boat was advertised as the Irwin 34 rather than the Citation 34. There were no major changes in the boat from beginning to end, just the details and equipment that are typical of any long production run.