Anchors Move

The mud tests suggest that when looking for a good anchorage a sand bottom is worth seeking out—because it’s easier for any anchor to...

Nylon Rope Endurance Test

Nylon three-strand dock lines, anchor rodes, and mooring pendants are the sailor’s safety net, so to speak, and have been for nearly a century....

Know Your Gypsy

When buying chain, there are two things to look for. The first is quality, which we explore through our testing. The critical question, though,...

Mooring Chain Background

Almost all chain used for permanent moorings is made of welded steel alloy, galvanized to forestall corrosion not, in the long run, to prevent...

Decontaminating a Tainted Tank

Those of you who missed our report on how a weak winterizing solution can create a Sandals Beach Resort for waterborne bacteria may be...
Marine Sanitation: Complete Series eBook from Practical Sailor

Find the Cause of Head Odor

Good hose is useless if the unions are not well clamped. Barbed hose end fittings should be snug and securely sealed and, of course,...
Thermal Cooking Is a Great Option for Cooking Onboard

Thermal Cooking Is a Great Option for Cooking Onboard

The humble vacuum flask, or thermos, is one of those 19th century technologies that has withstood the tests of time. Originally a delicate, double-walled,...
Waxing and Polishing Your Boat

Waxing and Polishing Your Boat

With spring launch day looming for most of us, I am plunging once again into polishing and waxing fiberglass boat hulls. This post covers...
Painting Your Boat, Vol. 4: Brightwork, Spar Varnish and Mast Paints

The Holy Grail of Wood Protectors

Did you ever wonder why its called “wood finish?” You’re never “finished” with it. Unfortunately, that rings true for most boat maintenance tasks. With...

Bad Holding Ground Primer

Modern anchors of the recommended size that are set and rigged properly offer plenty of holding power in good sand or mud. Except for...

Video: Sailboat Maintenance for Beginners – 10 Jobs You Can’t Ignore

Sailboat Maintenance for Beginners doesn’t have to be complicated. In this video, we cover 10 sailboat maintenance jobs every new owner should know, including...

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This boat is dangerous for one simple reason—it looks like the answer. It’s big enough, pretty enough, modern enough, and suddenly, somehow, almost affordable...

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