Where Credit is Due: March 2013

New Found MetalsWinchriteEgginton Bros.

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I am in the middle of a complete refit of a 1978 CSY 44. A while back, I purchased four bronze portholes from New Found Metals (www.newfoundmetals.com). Recently, I had ordered three more custom portholes from NFM. Because of a miscommunication, they arrived at the boat in stainless rather than bronze. I called Terry at NFM, who said she would check with the owner and get back to me. The very next day, she called and said to return them and she would re-order the bronze at no charge. The bronze ports arrived as she said. New Found Metals has great service and great products as well.

Capt. Mike Zofchak

CSY 44

Sandusky, Ohio

I purchased a Winchrite machine for my sailboat three years ago and used it for a year. The machine was working OK but not great, and I was puzzled as to why it wasn’t as strong as it was when it was new. I called Winchrite (www.sailology.com), and they said to send the unit back. Instead of repairing my Winchrite, they sent me a brand-new one. I couldn’t believe it. This is what an American company does. No wonder they have a great product and great company.
I used my new Winchrite all this last summer, and it worked smoothly. Their product is the best, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to take the work out of winching halyards.

William D. Kerr

Winthrop, Mass.

About five years ago, I purchased a high-quality, stainless-steel sailing knife directly from Egginton Bros. Ltd. in the UK (www.eggintongroup.co.uk). The knife performed fine over the years until my son over zealously used the marlin spike. As a result, the spikes pivot had splayed, and the spike was then loose. I returned the knife to Egginton and received it back two weeks later, cleaned, lubricated, repaired, and re-riveted without cost.

Carl de Stefanis

White Plains, N.Y.

Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Supported entirely by subscribers, Practical Sailor accepts no advertising. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him by email at practicalsailor@belvoir.com.