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...
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...
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...
Spare Parts 04/15/99
British SeagullReader Brian W. Pollard of Mount Desert, Maine, wrote in regard to an item in the July 15, 1998 issue regarding sources of...
PS Advisor 01/15/98
From Freshwater to SaltI plan to move from the Chicago area to North Carolina. My Catalina 30 has spent its entire life on Lake...
No-Bleed Fuel Filter Adapter
There probably are a million diesel engines-Perkins, Ford-Lehmans, Volvo-Pentas, Saabs and others-whose fuel gets its final cleaning by passing through a filter cartridge fitted...
After 17,000 Miles
Building an efficient, easy-to-maintain cruising yacht is very much an exercise in compromise and experimentation. There are literally thousands of decisions that must be...
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...
7 Inverters Tested: Ace is Statpower
If the prospect of consistently available 120-volt AC power on your boat sounds enticing, you might be in the market for an inverter. An...
Test of Six 12-volt Watermakers
In this test, we look at high-output watermakers from five manufacturers, ranging from systems from industry giants such as Village Marine to small shops...
Small Boat, Big Keel Why This 27 Footer Works
What makes a small sailboat truly seaworthy? In this video, we take a deep dive into the Pacific Seacraft Orion 27, a rugged, long-keel...
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.