When something on board needs to be fixed, one of my secret weapons for getting the job done correctly is havingand being able to locatethe right tools for the job. Over the years Ive accumulated hundreds of tools appropriate for any conceivable problem. The problem is how to stow them in an organized way. The tools I use most often need to be within easy reach; the rest
ChecklistToolsBasic tool kitWrenches and sockets (metric if youre working on a European or Japanese engine) Screwdrivers Propane blowtorch Rubber malletHammerRazor bladePliersVise-GripsVise400-grit wet/dry sandpaperBrush for applying grease and lubricating
Tom Gilbert of Jensen Beach, Florida, asks:”I’m about to install Wi-Fi on my boat so I can use my laptop when I’m in the harbor. I think a 14-element YAGI, such as the RL/WAVRVMAR or the RL/14ele2.4wp, would be good units I can aim, set, and receive. However, other people tell me that an omnidirectional antenna is the answer. Which is the better
Howard Lennox of Lexington Park, Maryland, asks:”I’d like to know how to inspect (for corrosion) a chainplate that is encapsulated inside a bulkhead. Are there any nondestructive tests I can perform to determine a chainplate’s condition without having to cut into the bulkhead?”Don Casey replies:When a through-the-deck chainplate begins to
Bob Graveline of Bismarck, North Dakota, asks:”Last summer my 34-footer was hit by lightning when it was sitting unattended in my marina slip. The boat was plugged into shore power when it was hit, but it was not drawing power. Do you think that having a boat plugged into shore power increases, decreases, or has no effect on the chance of damage from a
Upgrading the deck gear on your boat can seriously enhance your sailing pleasure. Once youve sailed a boat set up with low-friction blocks, good rope clutches and jammers, and genoa-sheet cars that are quick and easy to adjust, its hard to go back to the creaky, friction-riddled 30- or 40-year-old deck gear that so many older boats are still saddled with.We had always planned to replace
Upgrading the deck gear on your boat can seriously enhance your sailing pleasure. Once youve sailed a boat set up with low-friction blocks, good rope clutches and jammers, and genoa-sheet cars that are quick and easy to adjust, its hard to go back to the creaky, friction-riddled 30- or 40-year-old deck gear that so many older boats are still saddled with.We had always planned to replace
Diesel mechanics is not a difficult subject. In fact, all owners of diesel-powered boats canand shouldlearn the fundamentals of operating and maintaining their engines. To run well, a diesel engine requires clean fuel, clean oil, and a lot of air. Routine maintenance will virtually guarantee years of trouble-free service and will keep your busy mechanic at bay.How a diesel engine works,
Diesel mechanics is not a difficult subject. In fact, all owners of diesel-powered boats canand shouldlearn the fundamentals of operating and maintaining their engines. To run well, a diesel engine requires clean fuel, clean oil, and a lot of air. Routine maintenance will virtually guarantee years of trouble-free service and will keep your busy mechanic at bay.How a diesel engine works,
Diesel mechanics is not a difficult subject. In fact, all owners of diesel-powered boats canand shouldlearn the fundamentals of operating and maintaining their engines. To run well, a diesel engine requires clean fuel, clean oil, and a lot of air. Routine maintenance will virtually guarantee years of trouble-free service and will keep your busy mechanic at bay.How a diesel engine works,
Against the backdrop of a lush and vibrant Caribbean island, this regatta offers fierce competition, challenging conditions, and a friendly social scene.
The sailing scene in Antigua is fantastic, but head to shore and check out this island’s history, stunning nature, and vibrant culture.
A first look at the stunning new Dufour 48, which SAIL had the opportunity to be the first U.S. magazine to test and review in Palma de Mallorca. The boat will be making its U.S. debut at the Annapolis Sailboat Show this October.
The national governing body for sailing in the United States has announced that Zhik will be its official technical apparel supplier.
Your Majesty, there is no second… In 1851, the schooner America won the first 100 Guineas Cup, which was later renamed the America’s Cup. Upon
The Hawaiian voyaging canoe Hōkūle‘a celebrates 50 years of voyaging,
education, and heart with the people who made it all possible.
Craig Wood, a British sailor and triple amputee, is currently crossing the Pacific Ocean solo. After two gennaker failures, he’s racing to arrive in Japan before typhoon season sets in.
Catalina Yachts and its sister company, True North Yachts, have been sold to Michael Reardon, founder and CEO of Daedalus Yachts.
Over the weekend, we’ll be celebrating the birthdays of two of yacht racing’s greats: Sir Thomas Lipton and Charlie Dalin.
Jamestown, Rhode Island, native Erica Lush has spent the first half of 2025 in France training to compete in the Solitaire du Figaro. This week’s Solo Maitre CoQ could secure her spot on the start line.
