Sketchbook: Chain Grip
November 8, 2016
A pawl on the stemhead roller acts like a ratchet—it lets you pull chain in, but prevents it from running out while you have a
A pawl on the stemhead roller acts like a ratchet—it lets you pull chain in, but prevents it from running out while you have a
My first solo offshore passage began with sunshine, gentle breezes and easy sailing. But there was nothing gentle about my return to land at day’s end.
There’s a right way to communicate via VHF radio—and many wrong ways. The reason for VHF protocol is to avoid ambiguity and ensure that messages
To begin You don’t need to know much about how a piston engine works in order to drive a car. You get in, turn on the engine, shift into gear, step on the gas, and off you go. In a sailboat, though, you play a far more active role in harnessing the energy that propels you forward. You can get
Modern weather forecasting is so good that we aren’t often caught out, but we all take a chance once in a while, especially when we’re under pressure to be somewhere else. Coastal sailing in near-gale conditions isn’t the same as ocean storm survival. Instead, we have to think hard about possible shelter and local dangers. Different boats have varying abilities. So do crews. Here’s a hypothetical
A. If a quick maneuver doesn’t spin her off, try reducing the draft by heeling her over with a backed sail and shifting some weight. B. In
If you have your boatyard help out with repairs, upgrades and routine maintenance, you can often be one of the first to launch in the
We are always told when outfitting our boats for cruising that we need to make sure our onboard electrical system can handle our projected daily power usage. But that raises an important question: what sort of day are we talking about? Is it a day spent at anchor, the day we have a lot of guests and friends on board, a day spent in a marina, or—and very often this is not considered—a day spent
The season is upon us and all manner of cruising sailors are wandering about trying to find interesting places to park their boats. Maybe you’re
Cruisers who sail long distances typically carry a vast array of tools and spare parts, but weekend sailors tend to buy parts as needed and
Do away with mean reef points I’m always pleased to be on a boat with reef points for the mainsail. Without a stack pack, tying
Jazz Turner has been named Yachtsman of the Year by the Yachting Journalist Association (YJA) in a ceremony at the Royal Yachting Association Dinghy and
March is the Offshore Issue, and it’s one I’ve been looking forward to for months. After all, it was an offshore race that really inspired
This weekend a significant portion of the boating industry descended upon Miami for the annual Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show. It’s a warm and
Laura Grondin and Paul Cayard have been named Rolex Yachtswomen and Yachtsman of the Year for their accomplishments in competitive sailing during the 2025 season.
For a third year in a row, SAIL Magazine has been recognized as the top magazine at the Boating Writers International annual awards. SAIL led
I wrote recently about my ongoing project to redesign the mast and sailplan on our family boat, a 1971 OE 36 called Spica. I’ve agonized
New England’s season kick off for racers returns this March.
I’m not patient, laid-back, or compliant so when I hear the expression “age gracefully” all my hairs stand up. It’s unlikely for me to go
Editor-in-Chief Lydia Mullan reflects on her work anniversary with SAIL.
