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Practical Sailor
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  • Sailboat Reviews
    • AllMultihullsNew SailboatsSailboats 21-30ftSailboats 31-35ftSailboats 36-40ftSailboats Over 40ftSailboats Under 21feetused_sailboats

      Hunter 45DS Used Boat Review

      Irwin Citation 34 Used Boat Review

      Saint Blue, a Lagoon 380 offered by BVI Yacht Charters, is this author's preferred boat for a relaxing tropical getaway. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

      Lagoon 380 Used Boat Review

      Tartan 3700. Photo courtesy of Tartan Yachts.

      Tartan 3700 & 4100 Used Boat Review

  • Marine Electronics
    • AllApps and Computer ProgramsAutopilotsCommunicationsFishfindersHandheld ElectronicsPlotters MFDS RradarWind, Speed & Depth Instruments
      Savvy Navvy anchor alarm display.

      Navigation App Review: Savvy Navvy

      Lithium Batteries for Small Boats: Troubleshooting

      Blue Sea E Series Battery Switch. The author recommends retaining the manual combiner, first for its functionality as a high-capacity isolation switch but also for manual combining of the two systems in an emergency.

      Lithium Batteries for Small Boats: Install Guide

      DIY Electrical System Survey and Inspection

  • Sails, Rigging & Deck Gear
    • AllAnchoring MooringRunning RiggingSails CanvasStanding Rigging

      Bluewater Design: Weight and Dynamic Stability

      The Schaefer SnapFurl CF-500 furling system has a two-piece PVC luff foil, which snaps together over the forestay. The author discovered the plastic extrusion to be prone to twisting, particularly when reefing or furling the sail in high winds. (Photo/ Doug Henschen)

      Schaefer SnapFurl: Gear Graveyard

      Advice on Buying a Pre-Owned Anchor

      Mud Anchoring Wisdom

  • Systems & Propulsion
    • AllDiesel EnginesElectricalOff Grid EnergyOutboardsPlumbing
      Misirlou’s gravity drain holding tank mid-installation showing tank valve, Tee to deck pump-out fitting and home-made activated charcoal vent filter. (Photo/ Tom Egan)

      Holding Tank Lessons Learned

      Air Conditioning at Anchor

      The bare minimum required to deal with most daysailer dilemmas fits in a relatively compact electrician’s bag. It can be tailored to fit the specific needs of your boat. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

      The Get-Home Sailboat Tool Kit

      Extra Anchor Lighting

  • Boat Maintenance
    • AllCleaning WaxingDIY ProjectsPaintsRepair, Tools & MaterialsSpare PartsTools & Gadgets
      The bare minimum required to deal with most daysailer dilemmas fits in a relatively compact electrician’s bag. It can be tailored to fit the specific needs of your boat. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

      The Get-Home Sailboat Tool Kit

      Bottom scraper. Easy to make and so much easier to use. Used for barnacles on the bottom and taking mud off the anchor. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

      Six Best Homemade Boat Maintenance Tools

      Hot Knife. We put this purchase off for too long. Nice for fabric and rope, and vital for carpet and bungee cord, which are difficult to heat seal. Multiple layers dont slow it down. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

      Five Best Specialty Tools

      A professional cleaner prepares to dive on one of our former bottom paint test boats, a Cape Dory 28.

      Bottom Paint Care

  • Belowdecks & Amenities
    • AllCabin ComfortGalleyVentilation
      16,000 BTU Citimarine AC unit installed to replace a Dometic unit. Dometic did not have a replacement available due to supply-chain issues as a result of the pandemic. (Photo/ Phil Decker)

      Where Credit Is Due: Citimarine Air Conditioner Customer Service

      Top Fire Blankets for the Offshore Sailor

      Hella Marine Euro150 LED

      Solid Choices for LED Cabin Lights

      Simple Lithium for Outboard-Powered Tenders, Daysailers, and Sport Boats

  • Personal Gear & Apparel
    • AllFootwear ApparelFoul Weather GearOptics
      The bare minimum required to deal with most daysailer dilemmas fits in a relatively compact electrician’s bag. It can be tailored to fit the specific needs of your boat. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

      The Get-Home Sailboat Tool Kit

      Fujinon 14x40 Techno-Stabi. Photo courtesy of Fujifilm.

      Marine Binoculars Guide

      Five Best Cheap Clothing Options for Cold-Weather Sailing

      Custom-built cylinder storage racks make accessing cylinders easy. (Photo/ Eileen Council)

      How to Scuba from Your Boat

  • Mailport & PS Advisor
  • Inside Practical Sailor Blog
    • Bottom scraper. Easy to make and so much easier to use. Used for barnacles on the bottom and taking mud off the anchor. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

      Six Best Homemade Boat Maintenance Tools

      Hot Knife. We put this purchase off for too long. Nice for fabric and rope, and vital for carpet and bungee cord, which are difficult to heat seal. Multiple layers dont slow it down. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

      Five Best Specialty Tools

      While Snappy Teak-Nu seemed to perform better at first, the longterm winner was Star-Brite.

      Battle of the Teak Cleaners — Snappy Teak-Nu vs. Star Brite

      To prep items for selling online, make sure to clean them, take plenty of pictures and provide detailed descriptions, including specs. This pair of Barient #16 single-speed winches sold for $65.93 and netted the author $55.87. (Photo/ Doug Henschen)

      How to Sell Old Sailing Equipment

      The captain made a navigational miscalculation so this 2005 Sabre 386 rested on a shelf just outside Cameleon Harbour in British Columbia for the tide to return. As a result of this temporary grounding, seagrass entered and blocked a through-hull. Identifying details have been omitted at the request of the captain. (Photo/ Bert Vermeer)

      Plugged Through Hull Solution

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