A New Hatch That Leaks Air
It has been more than three years since we thoroughly examined deck hatches. There were lots of good ones-with Bomar, Lewmar, Nicro and...
PS Advior 05/01/98
Rerigging QuestionI enjoyed your December 1997 article on replacing wire halyards with all rope. When I considered it a few years ago, my rigger...
The Case For Hydraulically Powered Sailboats
On a well-designed motor-yacht, it is possible to sleep peacefully in a stateroom immediately forward of an engine room containing two, 1,000-hp. diesel engines...
Crimp Connections: AMP Super Champ and Ancor Our Top Picks
One of the most nettlesome areas of boating electronics is making dependable wire connections that will last for years. Because marine elements are conspiring...
Pocket Inverters: Exeltech, Statpower Stand Out
In the February 15, 1998 issue we reviewed large inverters capable of producing up to 2500 watts. For those of you with smaller AC...
5-Model Genset Bench Test
An article in the June, 1997 issue about small gensets struck a chord with readers. The report was of the type we call a...
Offshore Log:Life With The Little Wonder
The search for potable water is the bane of the long-distance cruisers existence. In the US, we take cheap, easily accessible water of decent...
Offshore Log:Life With The Little Wonder
The search for potable water is the bane of the long-distance cruisers existence. In the US, we take cheap, easily accessible water of decent...
In The Market For A Cooler? The Softsides Win For Convenience
Given evidence that beer making has been around some 10,000 years, keeping a frosty one cold has been a challenge for a long time....
Hawkeye Scope: A Bird’s Eye View of Your Pistons
Ever wish you could see what the parts inside your engines combustion chamber look like? Now you can with the Hawkeye borescope. Whenever you...
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.