Learn the Fundamentals of Sailing
Excerpted from How to Sail Around the World
Cruising under sail is a hundredfold more complex than merely buying a suitable yacht. We know this...
Fundamental Chart-Making Concepts
Until recently, there has been little need for chart users to understand the technology of chart-making, particularly its limitations, because the tools used by...
Sail Maintenance
Excerpted from The Handbook of Sailing
Most people are not sufficiently expert to be able to carry out any but the most minor repairs to...
Rafting Up
Excerpted from The Handbook of Sailing
Rafting up is the term given to berthing alongside another boat (or boats), whether next to piles, a pier,...
Riding Turn
Excerpted from The Handbook of Sailing
Sometimes, when winching, the coils of sheet on the barrel become crossed (known as a riding turn). This is...
Easing a Rope on a Winch
Excerpted from The Handbook of Sailing
It is important to know how to ease the tension of a sheet or halyard on a winch. The...
Boom Preventer
Excerpted from The Handbook of Sailing
When sailing downwind there is always the danger of an accidental jibe. One way to prevent this occurring is...
Fix It and Sail It
Excerpted from Fix It and Sail
At some point in the restoration process, the jobs left to do cease to be “rebuilding projects” and start...
Patching Screw Holes
Excerpted from Fiberglass Boat Repair Illustrated
Patching a hole above the waterline in a single layer of laminate is relatively simple if the hole is...
Lagoon 55 – The Perfect Charter Boat for Your Caribbean Vacation
Looking for the ultimate sailing vacation in the Caribbean? Step aboard the Lagoon 55, a modern catamaran that combines luxury, comfort, and performance—making it...
Latest Sailboat Review
Irwin Citation 34 Used Boat Review
The Irwin 34 is in many respects a typical Irwin boat. It was originally called the "Citation 34," which was meant to indicate that it was more of a plush cruiser than the race-oriented Irwins at the time, but more of a racer than the larger cruisers. According to the company, 305 Irwin 34s were built in the production run, from 1978 to 1985, a moderate but successful model for the era. Near the end of its production, the boat was advertised as the Irwin 34 rather than the Citation 34. There were no major changes in the boat from beginning to end, just the details and equipment that are typical of any long production run.