A Foursome of Eights
With highly refined features and an ergonomically superior tiller, Yamaha’s 8-hp four-stroke stiff-arms a trio of competitors.û
PS Advisor: 01/15/04
Holding Tank RefitsWe own a Com-Pac 25 and we enjoy making improvements to her. Now I'd like to replace all the flexible hose plumbing...
Tubefan
Practical Sailor has done a fair amount of reporting in the past couple of years on the topic of keeping food cold on...
Four-Horse Four-Stroke Run-Off
Suzuki edges Yamaha and Mercury with a little more kick, a long and easy-to-operate tiller, and one-pull starting.
Your Last Set of Trailer Lights?
Conventional, incandescent trailer lights have several built-in areas of weakness, starting with the bulb itself. It's possible, though difficult, to surround the bulb with...
Boat-Heating Options
There are plenty of ways to extend the season and keep a cosy cabin, ranging from simple to complex. Here's a view of the solution range.
Wet-Cell 12-Volt Battery Test
Two batteries from Deka and one from Interstate lead the pack in our test of eight deep-cycle batteries.
King of Koolers?
We've published quite a few words in recent months on refrigeration, fridge-free foods, and thermoelectric coolers. In the midst of these efforts we received,...
PS Advisor: 08/15/03
Solar Panel PowerYour review of solar panels left me with some "solar panels for dummies" type questions. For trickle-charging a battery, how do you...
Strippers and Crimpers
One crimp or two? In our test and survey, we again find that the well-made multi-purpose tool will suffice for most wiring jobs. If you have more serious work to do, try Klein's #1005 crimper and Ancor's 702030 automatic stripper.
Lithium Batteries on Sailboats: The 3 Mistakes Everyone Makes
Lithium batteries are one of the most popular sailboat upgrades today—but they’re also one of the most misunderstood. In this Practical Sailor Saturday episode,...
Latest Sailboat Review
Island Packet Estero Used Boat Review
Florida-based Island Packet targets a relatively narrow niche, so the toughest competitors to its new boats are often older Island Packets. Introduced in 2010, the 36-foot, shoal-draft Estero is the company’s latest attempt to introduce a distinctive model that doesn’t stray too far from the company’s proven formula for success: moderate displacement, full-keel cruisers designed to be lived on, sailed far and in comfort, and endure the bumps, scrapes, and storms that cruising boats inevitably encounter. After sailing the Estero on Florida’s Sarasota Bay and inspecting its interior, construction, and systems, Practical Sailor testers noted that the shoal-water cruiser will appeal strongest to Island Packet fans who’ve been waiting for a shoal-draft, easy-to-sail boat that compares to the IP37 in terms of interior space. These strengths will be most apparent on intracoastal or riverine adventures like the Great Loop.