2024 November 1

The zen of onboard organization

A bucket brigade, custom solutions and regular inventory are keys for long-term cruisers

Our Passport 42, a double-ender, features a cavernous, V-shaped storage beneath the cockpit. When we first started cruising, we layered lines, dinghy supplies, storm sails, paddles, buckets of spares.

2024 October 1

Asymmetric spinnaker handling for cruisers

Speedy downwind sailing can be a pleasure with an A-sail when you know how to handle it

By SAILING Magazine

There’s no denying the convenience of furling sails for cruising. Code 0s and, more recently, structured luff top-down furling sails with better downwind performance than a code 0 can be game change

2024 September 23

Sailing in light air

Sailing well when the wind drops can be challenging but rewarding

By SAILING Magazine

A big part of sailing is adapting to the conditions you’re in. Making the boat sail efficiently in whatever situation Mother Nature dishes up is part practice and part know-how, but brings with

2024 September 1

Foul weather gear care

Protect your investment and keep gear waterproof longer

By SAILING Magazine

Foul weather gear is an investment and there’s nothing worse than that sinking feeling when you realize that your gear is not keeping you dry. The fact is that there’s more to caring for foul weat

2024 July 1

Survive going overboard

You’re in charge of your own survival when you go overboard and are waiting for rescue

By Chuck Hawley

Imagine this scenario: You’re in the water looking at the stern of your 42-foot sloop as it sails away from you, cries of “Man Overboard” coming from a couple of the crew, and the billowing spin

2024 June 1

The knots you need to know

Mastering a handful of knots will give you a full arsenal of options on board

By Bob Pingel

Rope, line, cordage, whatever you call it, has been with us since the beginning of sailing time. To put a piece of rope to use, you must attach it to something, which often requires a knot. The body o

2024 April 1

How to start sailing shorthanded

With a few tips and some practice you can spend more time sailing your boat and less time waiting for crew

By Dave Rearick

It’s another beautiful weekend; the wind is steady at 8 to 10 knots, the water is calm, the boat is rigged, and your friends just called to say they can’t make it this afternoon. You ask yourself,

2024 March 1

Winch servicing

Some of the most important equipment on a boat, winches can last for ages with annual maintenance

By Richard Reichelsdorfer

Winches are amazing pieces of equipment. They last for years providing a crucial mechanical advantage that makes sailing possible. And because they require little in the way of everyday maintena

2024 January 1

Repairing delaminated core

Catch wet, delaminated core early and the fix is not difficult

By Richard Reichelsdorfer

It’s not unusual for boats, particularly those of a certain age, to have some areas of wet core and delamination. This is often found near deck hardware, often because of poor mounting and bedding p

2023 December 1

Splicing Dyneema

Embrace the splice because knots aren’t best on the extremely strong fiber Dyneema

By Bob Pingel

Dyneema is seriously strong, but a very slippery fiber. The slipperiness means that you can’t efficiently use knots to terminate it. Even the best knot will degrade the ultimate strength of the rope

2023 November 1

DIY custom bug screens

Keeping insects out of the boat’s cabin is a matter of safety and comfort

By Marissa Neely

As sailors, we’re often drawn to the sea by the promise of adventure, the thrill of exploration, and the beauty of untouched landscapes which is how my husband Chris and I ended up sailing our 1979

2023 October 1

Anchoring and mooring a catamaran

Life in an anchorage is great on two hulls so long as you know how to moor the boat

By SAILING Magazine

You can’t beat a catamaran for liveability, and no monohull can stand up the comfort provided by a catamaran in a beautiful anchorage. But before you can get to the part where the water toys come ou

2023 September 1

Co-owning a boat

Sharing the cost, labor and enjoyment of boat ownership can be the perfect solution when structured properly

By Molly Mulhern

The lucky boat owner is one who enjoys a boat partnership. Owning alone (or with a non-interested co-owner) versus owning a boat with another passionate sailor is like the difference between a dead we

2023 July 1

Installing a steering wheel

Swapping out a wheel is a quick job that may require a little ingenuity

By Erin L. Schanen

Sometimes a new steering wheel is called for. Changing to a wheel that’s a slightly different size than the existing wheel, or a different design, such as a foldable wheel that allows easy access th

2023 June 1

Helming skills

The key to being a good helmsperson is equal parts concentration and practice

By Steve Colgate

Just about every crew position on a sailboat comes down essentially to one word: concentration. I became a decent helmsman from my years of concentrating on spinnaker work. The spinnaker is very capri

2023 April 1

Captain your own charter

By Betsy Senescu

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

Asymmetric spinnaker skills

This sail can be key to getting downwind fast with a few skills and a bit of practice

By Andrew Waters

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

Multihull sailing for monohull sailors

Thinking differently is the key to getting the most out of more hulls

By SAILING Magazine

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

Installing a boiler for cold-weather sailing

Heating Quetzal for high-latitude sailing is a complicated project with a big payoff

By Bob Pingel

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

Race your cruising boat

It doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult to get out on the race course

By Wally Cross

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

A bucket brigade, custom solutions and regular inventory are keys for long-term cruisers

Speedy downwind sailing can be a pleasure with an A-sail when you know how to handle it

Sailing well when the wind drops can be challenging but rewarding

Protect your investment and keep gear waterproof longer

You’re in charge of your own survival when you go overboard and are waiting for rescue

Mastering a handful of knots will give you a full arsenal of options on board

With a few tips and some practice you can spend more time sailing your boat and less time waiting for crew

Some of the most important equipment on a boat, winches can last for ages with annual maintenance

Catch wet, delaminated core early and the fix is not difficult

Embrace the splice because knots aren’t best on the extremely strong fiber Dyneema

Keeping insects out of the boat’s cabin is a matter of safety and comfort

Life in an anchorage is great on two hulls so long as you know how to moor the boat

Sharing the cost, labor and enjoyment of boat ownership can be the perfect solution when structured properly

Swapping out a wheel is a quick job that may require a little ingenuity

The key to being a good helmsperson is equal parts concentration and practice

This sail can be key to getting downwind fast with a few skills and a bit of practice

Thinking differently is the key to getting the most out of more hulls

Heating Quetzal for high-latitude sailing is a complicated project with a big payoff

It doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult to get out on the race course

Perry on Design

A svelte cruising cat that has performance front and center

This cruising cat’s palatial accommodations have sailors living in comfort

This raised saloon offshore cruiser offers comfort and performance

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