2023 April 1
The waters are teeming with sailors who own and handle their own boats with aplomb. But all too often, these same sailors who skillfully ply their local waters, reject the idea of chartering, over dif
2023 March 1
This sail can be key to getting downwind fast with a few skills and a bit of practice
For many sailors spinnakers conjure thoughts of mayhem, chaos and shouting. Anxiety reigns over some at the prospect of the windward and leeward marks approaching and the skipper calling for a set or
2023 January 1
Thinking differently is the key to getting the most out of more hulls
A sailboat is a sailboat, right? In general, the answer is yes, but if you’re looking to maximize performance and sailing pleasure the differences between monohulls and multihulls, make a big d
2022 November 1
Heating Quetzal for high-latitude sailing is a complicated project with a big payoff
Many sailors dream of sailing in the islands with sandy beaches and warm trade winds, but some of the most exciting and rewarding sailing is found in colder climates. Sailing was never meant to be com
2022 October 1
It doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult to get out on the race course
Almost every local weeknight racing series has a cruising division filled with sailors looking for an excuse to get out on the water and away from life’s demands. The idea of racing might seem daunt
2022 July 1
Getting assistance at sea starts with knowing how to reach help
Days on the water are often great, but things can go wrong. When they go wrong, your ability to get help is determined by your communication ability, and it’s important to know the gear and co
2022 June 1
Owners need sailors and sailors need boats; create great sailing relationships that last
Sailing is haunted by a problem that, on its face, seems very easy to solve. Many owners have a hard time finding people to go sailing with them and sailors new to the sport have a hard time finding b
2022 April 1
Tap into charter staff knowledge to turn a good charter into a great one
Charter briefings—those meetings with charter base staff that help familiarize you with the boat and the cruising grounds—can feel like a hurdle that has to be overcome to get underway, but it’s
2022 March 1
A fresh bottom paint job and a topside touchup will have your boat looking and sailing great
A protected and fair boat bottom looks good, but it’s the performance-related benefits that make a good bottom job worth the work, and the price.The first step in any bottom job is choosing the
2022 January 1
Quetzal’s rig gets a top to bottom refresh in preparation for a some big passages
Quetzal is ready for thousands more miles of ocean passages following a standing rigging refit.Standing rigging is not set it-and-forget-it equipment; it requires maintenance. All that shiny stainless
2021 November 1
A smooth transition from rope anchor rode to chain is a necessity, and in need of frequent inspection
The best way to attach three-strandline to chain is with a thimble and screw-pin shackle. The shackle provides a large, smooth radius for the rope, as well as providing chafe protection. A shackle can
2021 November 1
Take some motion out of the ocean for a good night’s sleep at anchor
Every time we post a photo of our boat at anchor we immediately get asked “What’s that off of your spinnaker pole?” The answer is simple: it’s insurance that we will get a good night of sleep.
2021 August 1
Losing steering is an emergency but good seamanship skills can lead to a fix to get you home
Losing steering is an emergency, but it’s one that you can prepare for by having a plan tucked away in the back of your head. When a boat loses steering you know it quickly. Sometimes there’s clun
2021 June 1
Proper trimming goes beyond getting the telltales to fly and sheeting until it stops luffing
If music is how we feel math, then sailing is how we live physics. And sail trim, like playing an instrument, is our touchpoint with the medium. In fact, apart from steering a sailboat, which is one o
2021 April 1
Choosing the correct propeller will give you the best of all worlds for performance sailing, club racing, motor sailing or motoring
Should you ditch your fixed propeller? If your goal is to sail or motor to your destination more quickly, whether to the anchorage for cocktails or to your first waypoint on a passage, then a folding
2021 March 1
Get the most life out of your canvas work with easy repairs you can do yourself
Canvas doesn’t last forever. UV rays, wind and regular wear take their toll on sail covers, biminis, dodgers and more. Replacement is an investment, but there’s a good chance your canvas work can
2021 January 1
The monohull rules don’t necessarily apply to multihulls, so understand the difference before you set sail
There was a time when multihulls were enough of an oddity that they’d routinely turn some heads as they entered the harbor. Sailors have now embraced the many benefits of multihulls, and more and mo
2020 November 1
Night vision devices can be an important tool in safe sailing in the dark
Although night-vision technology has been available to sailors for many years, most people find their first purchase a bit daunting. And for good reason: there’s a great deal to know and understand.
2020 October 1
Modern marine paints don’t take well to buffing, but polishing with a ceramic coating can bring new life to old paint jobs
Marine paint has come a long way. Modern paints are amazing, they are shiny and colorful, abrasive resistant and survive many years under the punishing rays of the sun. They stand up well, but over ti
2020 September 1
Chartering has changed in the time of Covid-19, but there are plenty of ways to stay safe onboard
Like everything else, chartering has changed in the pandemic. Charter companies have adapted to help keep customers and staff safe, but more importantly they have found ways to help sailors feel comfo
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Originally reviewed July 1992
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Traditional catboat daysailer with modern twists
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This small oceangoing cruiser can be built by DIY builders
