Boats & Gear 

Boat Test: Beneteau First 53

Technique: Inspecting your steering system

Gear: The latest in paint and coatings

Boat Doctor: Why won’t batteries hold a charge?

Used Boat Notebook: C&C Invader 36

Perry on Design: The Arcona 345 and Dufour 530 offer  different takes on cruising comfort

Departments

For Openers

Full and By: Crossing oceans in a nutshell was a problem. He solved it.

On the Wind: The last of the paper charts, and the memories that go with them

Splashes: Iceboaters head west in search of great racing

Nautical Library: How-to navigation for impatient mariners

The Wharf: Brokerage, charter and other sailing-related products and services

On the Cover: Beneteau’s new flagship, the First 53 powers downwind looking beautiful and bold. For a review of this new racer-cruiser, go to Boat Test. Cover picture by Gilles Martin-Raget