When an offshore earthquake near Japan resulted in a destructive tsunami in March 2011, I, along with sailors everywhere, held my breath. My eyes were glued to the Internet. I watched videos of massive volumes of water rushing ashore, displacing families, killing people and destroying villages.
Prop walk, the tendency of a turning propeller to push a boat’s stern sideways, can be a real nuisance when maneuvering under power. Or it can be your biggest ally. The trick is to understand it, anticipate it, and make it work for you.
There’s no longer any reason to rely on frozen water to cool your food and beverages
Although I have sailed boats fitted with every conceivable make of folding or feathering propeller, I have long-term experience of only three. When we acquired our 1973 Norlin 34, it was equipped with a vintage two-bladed Martec Geartec folding propeller.
Reading the water is an important skill you should practice often to ensure there’s always water under your keel
We have an extra solar panel we keep unmounted on deck so we can move it where the sun is brightest. This leaves us with two loose wires running across the deck that are easy to trip over. My husband, Dave, found this unacceptable and decided to sheath the wires with an old piece of doublebraid rope.
Finding a place to locate solar panels on a small boat is a challenge. We wanted our two 50-watt panels to be adjustable, but secure. Ultimately, we were able to meet both criteria by mounting them on the lifelines of Eurisko, our Creekmore 34.
Negotiating a reef inlet, be it in the Bahamas or the South Pacific, requires precise navigation and skilled seamanship. Detailed charts are essential, and you should always consult any local sailing directions you have onboard in advance.
It is surprising to me that so few sailors are also fishermen. When joining a new boat for a passage, I often ask to see what kind of fishing gear the crew has on board. Almost always, I receive a puzzled look, or perhaps a mildly apologetic one, as my fellow sailors wonder where they last saw the jumbled mass of line, hooks and lead weights they call “gear.”
When I first purchased my 1987 Beneteau First 375, I had visions of mimicking the exploits of Tania Aebi, the Martin family and other daring sailors I admired.
With so many years of experience (and owners to source feedback from) it’s no surprise that J/boats is innovating with the latest in their lineup,
The weather’s turning cold, and it’s that time of year again.
I met Danny Moroney a few years ago at the Annapolis Boat Show when he was hanging out at the booth next to SAIL’s. He’s
One team takes aim at a Historic record.
Outdoor living at its best—dual helms, outdoor galley, and smart layouts make this cat a true entertainer.
One of the few remaining American sailboat builders has announced that they will cease production after current orders are filled.
Like the HH44 (a Top 10 Best Boats Winner in 2024), the new HH52 is designed around its EcoDrive Parallel Hybrid Electric/Diesel propulsion system. A
Better than your favorite Caribbean island, but with bears.
The shortlist for Young Journalist of the Year has been released. Among them is SAIL’s Editor in Chief, Lydia Mullan.
Two industry giants are celebrating five decades this year. Here’s a look back at half a century on the water with Gori and Gill.
