What Happens When Lightning Hits a Sailboat?
Lightning striking a sailboat sounds like something out of a disaster movie—but what actually happen when it does? In this episode, we break down...
O’Day 40 – A Budget Cruiser for the Bahamas
The O’Day 40 (1986) is one of those cruising sailboats that somehow slipped through the cracks of sailing history. Built during the final years...
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,...
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...
How to Wire Your Boat – Boat Wiring Mistakes and ABYC Code
Most sailboat electrical failures aren’t random — they’re predictable. In this Practical Sailor–style breakdown, we explain why sailboat wiring fails over time, how corrosion...
Before You Buy a Beneteau Watch This First – Hanse 430E Review
Thinking about buying a 40–45 foot cruising sailboat? Before you default to a Beneteau, Jeanneau, Catalina, or Hunter, this in-depth Practical Sailor review takes...
Tartan Yachts and the Catalina Fallout: How One Brand Survived
Tartan Yachts is one of the most respected names in American sailboat building — but in recent years, the brand found itself caught in...
$40,000 for a 40 Foot Cruiser? The Bristol 40 Reality Check
You can find Bristol 39s and Bristol 40s for around $40,000 — and at first glance, that sounds like one of the best deals...
Hate Heeling? These Sailboats Stay More Upright
Do you—or someone you sail with—hate heeling? You’re not alone. For many sailors, excessive heel is the single biggest reason people feel uncomfortable on...
Why the Catalina 42 Took Over the Caribbean
You see them everywhere — the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, all across the Caribbean. The Catalina 42, especially the Mark II, has quietly become...
Latest Logbook
Practical Sailor Logbook – September 2026
This month we tour the Hans Christian 48T — the offshore cruiser many sailors call the holy grail — walk the custom Antigua 60...
Video: Morgan 44 Review – The Catalina Cruiser Everyone Forgot
The 1989 Morgan 44 is a big center-cockpit cruising sailboat with Catalina DNA—but it may be one of the most overlooked boats of its...
Latest Sailboat Reviews
Bayfield 32 Used Boat Review
At first glance, the Bayfield 32 looks less like a fiberglass production boat from the 1980s and more like somebody shrank a traditional sailing...
