Sail Magazine

by Adam Cort

Adam Cort is SAIL’s executive editor. He lives and sails in the Boston area.

Selden Spinnaker Furler

by Adam Cort, Posted May 14, 2012

The key to Seldén’s new top-down asymmetric spinnaker furler is a swiveling tack attachment, which lets the foot fly free as the rest of the sail is being rolled down from the head on a torque rope.

2011-2012 VOR Unique to Say the Least

by Adam Cort, Posted May 8, 2012

Even for an event that seems to continually reinvent itself, the 11th running of the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) has been “unique,” to say the least, not to mention almost insanely competitive.

Flexible Chartplotter Mounts

by Adam Cort, Posted May 7, 2012

Norway’s Navslide AS is continuing to expand its line of flexible mounts to accommodate an even wider variety of cockpit types—including those that are especially problematic.

Faster, More Powerful Chartplotting

by Adam Cort, Posted May 4, 2012

Lowrance’s HDS Gen2 High Definition Systems chartplotters offer double the memory and twice the processor speed of the company’s first-generation HDS models to provide sailors with faster startups and menu operation, and lightning-fast panning and zooming.

Handy Duck Easy-Release Hook

by Adam Cort, Posted May 3, 2012

The Handy Duck is a strong, lightweight, easy-to-attach and—equally important—easy-to-release hook that can be used to either grab a mooring temporarily or serve as a permanent attachment.

Ocean Rodeo Drysuit

by Adam Cort, Posted May 2, 2012

This very cool “Soul” drysuit, from Victoria, British Columbia, is a brainchild of the sailboarders and kite surfers running Ocean Rodeo Sports. Cut to resemble well-tailored snowboarding gear, the Soul is built with multiple breathable waterproof layers.

Quick Retractable Thrusters

by Adam Cort, Posted May 1, 2012

Quick retractable thrusters can be installed in either the bow or stern or both, to make maneuvering in tight spaces virtually effortless. This past year Hunter Marine began offering the systems as an option on some of its larger boats.

Eco-Clad Bottom Paint

by Adam Cort, Posted May 1, 2012

Eco-Clad antifouling paint features what manufacturer Luritek Inc. describes as a “biomimicry” process similar to what fish use to keep their bodies weed-free. The paint is engineered to create a naturally slimy biofilm.

Best Around the Buoys at Charleston Race Week 2012

by Adam Cort, Posted April 26, 2012

Get all the updates on Charleston Race Week right here from our Best Around the Buoys Blog. Senior Editor Adam Cort reports straight from the course in Charleston with the latest news and updates on Best Around the Buoys contest winners, Team Warrior.

Tartan 4700

by Adam Cort, Posted April 25, 2012

Today’s performance-cruisers are faster than ever. But are they going to take care of you in heavy weather in the same way as those pre-IOR boats many of us grew up admiring? Fortunately, there are still builders and designers out there who are willing and able to combine the best of both old and the new in boats like the raised-saloon Tartan 4700.