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Technique
2025 February 1 - 12:00 am

Optimizing shore power

From adaptors to avoiding stray voltage, managing onboard power is key for safety and efficiency

By Bob Pingel
Battery-sourced direct current power is the lifeblood of our boats, running lights, electronics, pumps and even starting our engines. And although we can do well with just DC, the ubiquitous yellow sh
Boat Doctor
2024 November 1 - 12:00 am

Can I drop in lithium batteries?

By Bob Pingel
Can I drop in lithium batteries? Dear Boat Doctor, I’d like to change my house batteries to lithium. The capacity and efficiency of charging is really compelling, but I don’t want to have to r
Technique
2024 June 1 - 12:00 am

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
Boat Doctor
2024 April 1 - 12:00 am

How do I replace leaking hatches?

By Bob Pingel
Dear Boat Doctor, I have been battling leaks in my deck hatches for years. First I thought there was a leak around the plastic lens, so I removed and resealed it. When it still leaked I replaced the
Boat Test
2024 April 1 - 12:00 am

Beneteau First 36

Beneteau’s latest midsize racer-cruiser gets the mix right

By Bob Pingel
The Beneteau First series has a long history and proud pedigree. Launched in the late 1970s, Beneteau First designs have collected wins all over the globe. Over time, the design ethos wavered a bit, b
Boat Doctor
2024 March 1 - 12:00 am

How do I stop my mast from leaking?

By Bob Pingel
Dear Boat Doctor, My new-to-me boat has a keel-stepped mast. I’m happy to have it, but I cannot get the mast-to-deck joint to stop leaking. Even in a gentle rain, I find water dripping into my salo
Boat Doctor
2024 January 1 - 12:00 am

How should I rig a preventer?

By Bob Pingel
How should I rig a preventer? Dear Boat Doctor, I experienced my first accidental jibe a few weeks back. I was flying downwind on a beautiful afternoon, and my autopilot lost control. The boat tur
Technique
2023 December 1 - 12:00 am

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
Boat Doctor
2023 September 1 - 12:00 am

Do I need to add running backstays?

By Bob Pingel
Dear Boat Doctor, I just bought a 1984 Tayana 37 and am beginning a refit with a plan for long-distance cruising. The boat is set up as a cutter but doesn’t have running backstays. The guy I bought
Technique
2022 November 1 - 12:00 am

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
Boat Doctor
2022 September 1 - 12:00 am

How do I fix my hot water system?

By Bob Pingel
How do I fix my hot water system? Dear Boat Doctor, I am having a problem with the hot water system on my boat. I can make hot water when the engine is running, but it doesn’t work at the dock. Ca
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