2017 March 1

When water freezes over

Iceboats race the DN World Championship on Lake Kegonsa, Wisconsin, in January.

Stupid sport” is repeated numerous times throughout the iceboating season, including in my house as the ice reports come in. There is a lot of sitting around, sharpening runners, discussing the weather and waiting for the call to come in. From the DN, the most popular iceboat, with worldwide cult status, to the Nite, a slightly larger boat that can accommodate two cozy people, to the Skeeters and stern-steerers that whiz by at dizzying speeds, iceboating is a unique sport.

2017 March 1

X-treme 32

As extreme as its name, this cutting-edge design is meant for speed

By Robert H. Perry

I think I’ll just quote from the Reichel-Pugh press release here: “A high-performance design for inshore and offshore racing. The briefing to the Reichel-Pugh team was to develop a flat-out racer that delivers the thrill of a high-performance design as well as the ability to capture podium positions.”

2017 February 22

Follow these top 10 rules and fitting out will be a breeze

By Chris Caswell

Just because I have spent most of my life sailing in warm climates doesn’t preclude me from having huge amounts of fitting out experience. Growing up racing dinghies in Southern California and now sailing toward retirement in Florida only gives me a longer sailing season than much of the country. It doesn’t mean never having to use the words “fitting out.”

2017 February 1

Learning to be brave again

By Nick Hayes

A viral video of solo sailors in the Southern Ocean shot by a French warship and helicopter has landed on my Facebook page a hundred times. Sailor friends and friends who know I sail are sharing it. Parents and grandparents have texted dire warnings: “You’re not going to try this are you?” No, mom, I promise I won’t.

2017 February 1

Lessons in winning from an old sailor who can't resist a challenge

By Bill Schanen

I’d like to set up a meeting between James Harrison and Rich Wilson. Rich could give James some tips about competing in sports.Harrison is a star linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers whose winning-is-everything attitude earned him $100,000 in fines for illegal hits in a single season. Wilson is a scholarly 66-year-old sailor.

2017 February 1

Storm be damned

Flotillas offer support and camaraderie to cruisers, and never more so than when a hurricane is bearing down

By David Liscio

The plan was to sail from Rhode Island’s picturesque Narragansett Bay to Cape Cod’s idyllic islands, but Mother Nature had a different itinerary in mind.

2017 February 1

Elan GT5

This attractive cruiser is full of unique features above and belowdecks

By Robert H. Perry

Here is a new boat from Elan, the first in the Gran Turismo series. The designer is Rob Humphreys, with some help from the Elan factory design team. In most cases you can read this as Humphreys did the hull, appendage and rig design, while the factory did the deck and interior. I quite like the look of the boat. The proportions are pleasant.Schedule

2017 February 1

Sage 15

Choose your rig and choose your adventure with this compact package

By Robert H. Perry

I like the term “pocket cruiser” but I have seen it applied to boats as long as 30 feet LOA. The new Sage 15, designed by Jerry Montgomery, would hardly belong in a group of 30-footers, so Sage is calling its new model a “micro cruiser.” I think that works. Schedule

2017 February 1

HH55

Carbon construction sets this classy catamaran apart

By Robert H. Perry

This is the new Hudson Marine cat built in Xiamen, China. Xiamen is where my Flying Tiger boats were built. It is quite the yacht building center now. This new cat is aimed at high performance with an all carbon fiber build, deep daggerboards and a huge rig. Schedule

2017 February 1

How to buy a boat

By SAILING Magazine

Every sailor has heard the adage that the two happiest days in a boat owner’s life are the day you buy your boat and the day you sell it. Ensuring that the buying part of that equation rings true starts with buying the right boat for your sailing style at the right price. We’re breaking down the process, whether you’re buying new or used, big or small, cruiser, racer or daysailer.Schedule

2017 February 1

How do I replace freshwater hoses?

By Bob Pingel

I am planning to replace the freshwater hoses on my boat this spring. The lines are currently a combination of hose and soft copper tubing. The tubing I can see is pretty black, and I have to assume this is impacting my water quality. I’d like to replace it all, but I am not sure what to use.Schedule

2017 February 1

What to do when the worst happens

A calm approach combined with preparation can help avoid catastrophe at sea

By Erin L. Schanen

Most of the time, sailing is probably no more risky than other outdoor pursuits, but when something goes wrong the situation can get very serious very quickly. Any sailor can think of several onboard worst-case scenarios that can be enough to scare you straight to your couch. The secret to dealing with this is to have an idea of what to do when the worst happens but not allow that knowledge to take away from enjoying sailing.Schedule

2017 February 1

Hunter 43 Legend

This cruiser is more functional than fabulous, but offers a great value

By David Liscio

The sales brochure from 1989 pretty much sums up the Hunter 43 Legend, noting it was designed to exceed the requirements of sailors searching for performance without sacrificing comfort.Schedule

2017 January 31

‘Making pictures and making people smile’

By Greta Schanen

Although short in stature, sailing photographer Bob Grieser had a huge presence, one that he was known to announce with his trademark bark, a literal “Woof, Woof!” that could be heard from down the dock or across anchorages. Whether it was the press offices of the America’s Cup or the Los Angeles Times, a Caribbean race’s party tent or local sailors’ watering hole, The Big Dog, as Grieser was known, would bring life to any room. ScheduleScheduleSchedule

2017 January 1

What's causing my engine to underperform?

By Bob Pingel

I have a Yanmar 4JH2DTE in my boat and I don’t seem to be getting the power I am used to above 2,400 rpm. I checked the fuel filters and they seem OK. What else should I check?Schedule

2017 January 1

Sailing positively is a negative ion generator of happiness

By Chris Caswell

We were with some friends for dinner recently, and I noticed our hostess had put a small plastic box on a shelf near the table and plugged it in so it faced our meal. Asking what it was, I received a breezy, “Oh, it’s just a negative ion generator.”Schedule

2017 January 1

The spirit moved him and he found the simple joy of sailing

By Bill Schanen

I’m going to introduce you to a man who has learned, refined and perfected the art of finding the simple joy of sailing. For an activity that humans figured out eons ago, sailing can be complicated. Besides keeping up with advancing technology, it often demands serious planning. Cruises and races require organizing personnel and logistics. Even daysails with friends need arrangements to find dates and times that coincide with suitable weather.

2017 January 1

Herculean task

An obsessive refit transforms a Catalina 22 into a showpiece

By David Liscio

Some people say Chip Ford is obsessed.Fourteen years ago, at age 52, the sailor from Marblehead, Massachusetts, bought a 1974 Catalina Mk I for $2,500 because it seemed like an inexpensive way to go daysailing. ScheduleScheduleSchedule

2017 January 1

Powerful passagemaker

With sleek, modern looks this cruiser is kitted out for long voyages at a quick pace

By Richard Reichelsdorfer

At first glance, the 54 is an impressive boat. Its contemporary look is apparent in the plumb bow and a nearly flat sheer, and the raised bulwark reduces the visual height of the cabinhouse but accentuates the high freeboard. Overall, this gives the boat a strong modern look. ScheduleSchedule

2017 January 1

American sailing dream

An immigrant finds a home in sailing and shares his enthusiasm with at-risk kids

By Heather Steinberger

People sail for many reasons. They spend time on the water to make memories with family and friends, to enjoy leisurely vacation days in far-off ports, to savor the thrill of competition, and even to forge careers. ScheduleSchedule

Iceboats race the DN World Championship on Lake Kegonsa, Wisconsin, in January.

As extreme as its name, this cutting-edge design is meant for speed

Flotillas offer support and camaraderie to cruisers, and never more so than when a hurricane is bearing down

This attractive cruiser is full of unique features above and belowdecks

Choose your rig and choose your adventure with this compact package

Carbon construction sets this classy catamaran apart

A calm approach combined with preparation can help avoid catastrophe at sea

This cruiser is more functional than fabulous, but offers a great value

An obsessive refit transforms a Catalina 22 into a showpiece

With sleek, modern looks this cruiser is kitted out for long voyages at a quick pace

An immigrant finds a home in sailing and shares his enthusiasm with at-risk kids

Perry on Design

A handsome cruiser has plenty of options

This midsize cruiser has plenty of elbow room

This cruiser has plenty of options for comfortable family cruising

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