Sail Magazine

by Peter Nielsen

Peter Nielsen is SAIL’s Editor-in-Chief.

From the Editor: All Dressed Up

by Peter Nielsen, Posted March 11, 2013

Like most sailors, I have accumulated a wide range of boat-related clothing over the years. And also—like most sailors, I suspect—I still possess almost all of it.

Flagship: Beneteau Oceanis 55

by Peter Nielsen, Posted February 28, 2013

With the introduction two years ago of its revamped Oceanis line, Beneteau brought a whole new aesthetic to production boatbuilding.

Flagship: Lagoon 52

by Peter Nielsen, Posted February 27, 2013

This debutante from the world’s largest cruising cat producer succeeds the popular Lagoon 500 and is an evolutionary leap ahead of its predecessor.

Flagship: SIG60

by Peter Nielsen, Posted February 22, 2013

Like the Lagoon 52, the SIG60 is a VPLP-designed catamaran, but that’s where the similarity ends. Lightweight carbon-fiber construction and a powerful sailplan guarantee outstanding performance from this cruiser-racer.

Evolution of an Anchor Handling System

by Peter Nielsen, Posted February 20, 2013

Fifteen years of sailing around the English Channel, North Sea, Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean taught me many things, not the least of which was the importance of good ground tackle and a means to handle it.

Just Launched: A Trio of Cats

by Peter Nielsen, Posted February 6, 2013

The last year has been kind to cruising-cat aficionados; most established builders have introduced new models, and some yards are showing their wares in the United States for the first time.

From the Editor: The Need for Speed

by Peter Nielsen, Posted January 7, 2013

They say every cruiser turns into a racer when there’s another boat in the vicinity. I’m not so sure that’s true.

Just Launched: Petrel

by Peter Nielsen, Posted January 4, 2013

It is not very often that Hull #2 of a design beats Hull #1 onto the water by a couple of decades—which is why Jay E. Paris, longtime technical editor of SAIL and designer of the 32-foot cruiser Petrel, laughs ruefully as he looks back at the lengthy build timeline of his boat.

Best Stern Anchors

by Peter Nielsen, Posted November 29, 2012

If you’re getting into serious cruising, there will be times when you want to set a stern anchor. Usually this involves emptying fenders, lines and whatnot out of a cockpit locker until you unearth the kedge and its rode.

Replacing Tired Old Portlights

by Peter Nielsen, Posted November 29, 2012

One challenge with older boats that have been out of production for decades is obtaining replacements for components that may have been custom-made back in the day. Good luck finding a new bow pulpit for your 1974 Flexiflyer 43 or a mast cap for the rig on your 1967 Brickouthouse 29.