Systems & Propulsion

PS Advisor: 01/15/02

Disappearing ZincsWhen I got my Cabo Rico 38, with nine bronze through-hulls, all bonded, she lived in the brackish waters of Tampa Bay. But...

Cool Currents: A/C on DC?

Practical Sailor published articles on air-conditioning (A/C) in the December 2000 and January 1, 2001 issues. Shortly thereafter we received some letters from readers asking...

Electric Propulsion: Solomon Technologies’ High-Wire Act

As much as we like to believe that we're purists when it comes to sailing, the auxiliary engine is obviously very important to most...

PS Advisor: July 2001

Lexan vs. PlexiIm planning to replace my wooden companionway boards with translucent plastic. Is there a difference between Lexan and plexiglass? Can both be...

Techni-Ice: So Long, Blue Bricks

Techni-Ice, invented in Australia, is meant to act as a substitute for ice, and it does a good job of it—better, in our opinion,...

Rocker Switches, Pin-Stop Lead Cars, FendFast

One of the good names in marine electrical equipment is Cole Hersee, maker of switches. Boat owners are probably most familiar with its line...

Small Batteries, Chargers, and How To Recharge on Board

Nobody paid much attention when it started with portable radios, but then along came cellular and cordless phones, cordless tools, video cameras, CD players,...

Corroded Whale Gusher 10 Pump

A photo in a report on manual bilge pumps (in the April 15, 2000 issue) showed a Whale Gusher 10 that a reader had...

Deka Deep-Cycle Battery Performs…

Following our August 1, 1999 discharge tests of batteries from Exide, Interstate, GNB, Rolls and West Marine, a number of readers asked for a...

Keeping Your Cool With A/C

Last month, in Part 1 we described basic types of air-conditioning systtems, principles of operation, and how to size a system to your boat.Refrigerants:...

Tayana 37: What You Should Know | Boat Review

Looking to buy a 35-40 foot sailboat? Considering a Tayana 37? See a Tayana 37 for sale? What are the pros and cons of...