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.
Bio-Diesel: Nice Fuel if You Can Find It
I have heard it suggested that we use soy oil for diesel engines. I have a 3-cylinder Universal diesel and was wondering if you...
Freshwater Pumps
The Johnson Aqua Jet Uno 3.4 is impressive in a combination of ways. But it's a whopper. Check the Flojet Quad II—good price and performance.
Fridge-Free Food Follow-Up
PS readers offer up a smrgasbord of ideas about food that isn't picky about temperature.
Thermoelectric Coolers: Four-Model Chilldown
Igloo cools fastest, Koolatron draws the least current, but for all-around marine use we'd go with the Adler/Barbour Tropicool.
Solar Panel Survey 2003
PS readers weigh in here with opinions on their solar panels. With types and configurations available for all situations, it's hard to imagine any instance when having a panel or two aboard would be a bad idea.
Small Four-Stroke Outboards
Today's small four-stroke engine is still heavier than its two-stroke cousin, but at least prices have come down across the board. Consider this field if you need dinghy power or main propulsion.
Towed Water Generator
In our experiments last summer, the Hamilton Ferris generator did very well with a spinner in the water, less well with its optional wind blade.
HUM Bugs vs. the Pristine Tank
What is the crud that, if left to have its way, can foul your filters, starve the fuel pump, and bring your diesel engine...
Deck-Fill Fuel Filters
The expensive Baja filter, oft-mentioned in these pages, did very well in these tests—but West Marine's new Teflon-based filter did better for less, by means of a simple water-separating scheme.
Affordable AND Good? Sabre 34 Mk II Review
Can you buy a good sailboat for $25,000? In this video we take a deep dive into the Sabre 34 Mk II, a proven...
Latest Sailboat Review
Tartan 30: An Affordable Classic
The early 1970s was the heyday of the Tartan 30' racer/cruiser. In all, no less than two dozen boats of a similar size and type were introduced in just three years, many of them to become highly successful among sailors eager for the performance and amenities of big boats at a modest price. Among the most noteworthy and enduring of the 30-footers from this era has been the Tartan 30.