West Coast Insurance
International Marine Insurance Services’ pricing, flexibility stand out.
A Cure for Hose Clamps
The problem with hose clamps is that you need the right ones (all stainless, including the screws), they aren’t cheap (about $2 for the...
Finally, an LED Light with Some Warmth
Ordinary LED lights aren’t the miracle light some developers had promised. Yes, they’re amp misers, and well-made bulbs (actually clusters of LEDs) should last...
Spinning Wheel
Several years ago, I was on a bouncy delivery run from Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela, to Trinidad when the wheel spun loose in my...
Chandlery: 04/06
----------Nuts over Splicing?Small-boat owners who’d rather not eye-splice or tie a bowline in braided line now have another option: the Splicing Nut from InoDesign....
The Insurance Gamble
When you wade into the quagmire, it’s easy to get stuck.
Eye of the Storm
In two months, the Atlantic hurricane season starts again. Miami is still recovering after a “minor” storm named Wilma blew through. Charley-towns, rows of...
Bottoms Up
A funny thing happened down at the Shannon factory in Bristol, R.I., last year. An elderly gentleman showed up at the front door, introduced...
2 Wheels To go
Helios rides best, Port Runner is priced right
The Muddy Truth
This months issue reminds me that even as boats and gear continue to evolve at a lightning pace, there are some things that technology...
This 40 Foot Sailboat Has the Best Owner’s Bed Ever Built...
If you’re shopping for a 40-foot cruising sailboat and actually plan to live aboard or cruise, comfort matters — and nowhere does that matter...
Latest Sailboat Review
Union 36 Used Boat Review
While not the best boat for light-air sailing, the Union 36 is a good sailboat for the bluewater cruiser. It wont get you there fast, but it will get you there comfortably and in one piece. The boats teak decks and lavish use of interior wood is attractive but requires much upkeep and maintenance. A product of the Taiwan-U.S. boatbuilding industry, the Union 36 is a heavy-displacement, full-keel, cutter-rigged double-ender designed for ocean sailing. The Union 36 is nearly identical to several other boats built during the same period: the Hans Christian 36, Mariner Polaris 36, and the EO36. According to well-known naval architect Bob Perry, the Union 36 and its cousins are all based on the design of a 34-footer that Perry was commissioned to create back in the early 70s.