Facnor says that lessons it has learned installing custom gear on top ocean-racing boats have been applied to its new headsail furlers for boats from 20 to 90 feet. The LX has a bearing box at the drum and head swivels, each containing two polymer bearings that reportedly spread loads evenly. A rotating tack fitting allows the furler drum and head to turn before the twin-groove luff extrusion,
Theres a recurring theme with modern sailboats (and many not-so-modern ones)a lack of stowage around the cockpit for those small items that are part and parcel of the sailing life: sunglasses, paperbacks, sunscreen, candy bars, winch handles, odd lengths of string, cruising guides, and so on. The Dutch-made Blue Performance line of sailboat accessories addresses this problem and many others.
This is one of those handy little gizmos you never knew you needed before you saw it. The stainless-steel Stafford Universal Mounting Collar can be clamped onto a tube or pipe and has a countersunk, tapped hole so that things can be screwed to it; its a much more pleasing solution than the usual duct tape or hose clamps. Its available in six sizes to fit up to 2-inch tube (from $11.95).
Click here for the 2006 FKP Gear Awards from the February issueDog SaverHoisting a wet and wriggling dog onto a boat is no joke. This nifty canine boat ladder from Paws Aboard not only lets Fido get himself aboard after a cooling swim, it gives him a chance to shake himself dry before he reaches the cockpit. Measuring 16
Tie One OnLooking for a stocking-filler for Dad? Weve long been fans of the natty nautically themed ties ($65) from Vineyard Vines. Theyre pure silk, and theres a huge range of them to choose from, including the Catboat and Anchor & Wave designs pictured here. Or you could go for the full ensembleVV makes shirts, trousers, and jackets too. Vineyard Vines,
The Caribbean 1500 was a success in 2005. It seems like everyone had a great time, and for the most part, everyone was safe and happy. If youve been wondering how everyone else survived, heres your chance. SAIL sent out a survey to participants after the cruise in order to get a feel for what type of equipment was used and whether or not it worked well. The results are in, and it looks like
Hoisting a wet and wriggling dog onto a boat is no joke. This nifty canine boat ladder from Paws Aboard not only lets Fido get himself aboard after a cooling swim, it gives him a chance to shake himself dry before he reaches the cockpit. Measuring 16 inches by 64 inches, the $219 ladder folds away for storage. It looks like it will work best on boats with low freeboard or when deployed from a
The latest in Suzukis line of four-stroke outboards looks like a welcome addition to the ranks of small dinghy motors. The DF 2.5 weighs in at 30 pounds and is claimed to have 25 percent more power than competing motors. It offers the usual four-stroke advantages of quiet running, frugal gas consumption, and cleaner exhaust fumes than two-strokes. It comes only in a short-shaft version and has a
A boats engine-cranking and domestic batteries are on separate circuits so that the starting battery isnt accidentally drained, but you need to be able to combine the power from both batteries to help start a reluctant engine. Usually this means installing either three single switches or a four-position (off, 1, 2, both) selector switch; either way, its all too easy to leave the switch in the
Having seen a sharp-edged bow chock nearly saw through a mooring line during a fall northeaster, Ive begun to take an interest in these unglamorousbut importantitems of deck hardware. Schaefers new line of stainless chocks have deep, wide openings with gently rounded jaws that will be easy on dock lines and are big enough to handle chafe gear. They also have hidden fasteners for a neat
For years now, maxi-trimarans, both solo-sailed and fully crewed, have been racing the clock on their own around the world in an effort to set
The museum’s Juneteenth celebration, now in its third year, is a true cultural immersion[/caption] Discovering Amistad and Mystic Seaport Museum have partnered to organize their
Lagoon 51 In keeping with many of the more recently launched models created by French multihull builder Lagoon, the Lagoon 51 is all about comfort,
The biannual Newport Bermuda Race starts on Friday with the first warning signal at 1 pm. Whether you’re tracking a loved one’s progress or just
After being skunked or nearly skunked at multiple Olympiads, could the US Sailing Team (USST) now under the direction of Olympic veteran Paul Cayard, be
120 children enrolled in Brooklyn Boatworks’ STEM and life skills-focused program launched their hand-built optimist prams on June 14 from Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge
So, you like to charter in the Caribbean with its warm waters, swaying palm trees, steady trade winds and strong rum drinks. What’s not to
Earlier this week, 11th Hour Racing Team’s new IMOCA 60 Mālama finally arrived at an American dock for the first time, signifying the start of
Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay is a sailor’s paradise, not only because of its vast expanse of sheltered water, coves and seaside towns, but because of
My first job ever on a boat was picking weevils out of bags of sugar in preparation for a 1,200-mile delivery from the South Pacific
