Charles Chapin of Chicago, Illinois, asks:”I bought my 35-footer 16 years ago and plan to keep it for another 16. Recently I overheard two engine mechanics in my yard talking about problems theyve had with the new bio diesel fuel. What problems have there been and, more importantly, what should I do to make sure my fuel tank and delivery system remain trouble free?”
Harken made a big announcement at the 2009 U.S. Sailboat Show at Annapolis: A new line of winches, called the Radials. But unlike other new winches that are merely a 2.0 version of an existing product, Harken literally started with a blank sheet of paper and built from the ground up. The resulting winches are lighter, more efficient, safer, easier to install, and easier to upgrade to powered
There were lots of happy faces and plenty of celebratory toasts at the Gill 25th anniversary party held during this month’s Annapolis Sailboat Show. Founder Nick Gill regaled the audience with some entertaining yarns about what it was like entering the North American sailing market for the first time.And then Gill North America president, David Pritchard, followed up with some amusing
Looking for an innovative way of keeping your batteries trickle-charged, without adding a cumbersome and expensive fixed solar panel? SolarSail could be your solution.These rollable solar films attach to your boat’s canvas via supplied fasteners (mounting instruction included), allowing you to easily stow them when you collapse your canvas. The monolithically integrated panels are made
When you’re scrambling around on the narrow, slippery boards of a Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe, non-slip shoes are a necessity. At the 2009 Heritage Regatta in Oxford, MD, SAIL raced on the log canoe Jay Dee wearing the Women’s Ultra Marine and the Men’s Cabo Shandal. With their superior grip and breathability, these kicks proved to be the ideal nautical performance footwear.The women’s: I was
Speed ThrillsHow many times have you had to hand over the helm to your first mate, scramble belowdeck, remove a bit of the cabin sole, unscrew your paddle-wheel speed transducer, then deal with a handful of mucky growth that has fouled the unit? NKE’s new Ultrasonic speed sensor puts an end to such chores. This unit, which can be painted with antifouling without reducing
Speed ThrillsHow many times have you had to hand over the helm to your first mate, scramble belowdeck, remove a bit of the cabin sole, unscrew your paddle-wheel speed transducer, then deal with a handful of mucky growth that has fouled the unit? NKE’s new Ultrasonic speed sensor puts an end to such chores. This unit, which can be painted with antifouling without reducing
WAX ON, WAX OFFTo make cleaning your boat a bit easier and a lot safer for the environment, Ecover recently introduced its eco-friendly Boat Wash Wax and Heavy Duty Boat Wash. These low-foaming cleaners and waxes clean and shine metal, fiberglass and painted marine surfaces, and are phosphate-free. The products are made from plant and mineral-based ingredients, including
Few sensible sailors would consider setting out without some form of first-aid kit on board. Scraped knees, cuts, bruises, and bumped toes are all part of the sailing experience—everyone suffers them at some time or other. Being able to deal with these appropriately makes them minor annoyances rather than life-threatening emergencies. Of course, don’t be slow to call for help
LED lights have revolutionized onboard lighting in recent years due to the featherweight draw they impose on house batteries. Initially LEDs were several times costlier than their incandescent brethren. Thankfully, this has changed recently, and Hella Marines line of NaviLED PRO navigation lights are a great example of affordable performance. These lights use a scant 10% of the power consumed by
If you go over the side offshore, you’re dead. If we get you back, you’re lucky. The edge of the boat is a 2,000-foot cliff—you
I married into a sailing family. I was raised in the Rust Belt, north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, amid fields of corn, soy, and cows. I
For more multihull reviews and stories, subscribe for free to Multihull Power & Sail at sailmagazine.com/multihull The new Rapido 40 trimaran is designed by Morrelli
B&G has long been putting out top-of-the-line electronics, but the new Zeus S Chartplotter is a fresh take on the best way to give sailors
As David Tunick explains it, his sailing evolved over time. “I’m not a great sailor,” says the art dealer, 78, with a self-effacement that typifies
Kirsten Neuschäfer, a South African whose life as a sailor has practically defined the word “adventure,” today won the 2022-23 Golden Globe Race, becoming the
Early on the morning of April 27, Holcim-PRB dismasted off the coast of Brazil. The IMOCA 60 was in just days into Leg 4 of
After 32 years of operation, Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) is moving. Six years, countless volunteer hours, persistent efforts working with state, county, and local
It’s been a minute since I’ve done any serious voyage planning. Even saying that is sort of sad, but I’ve been filling my sailing days
In 2020, 30-year-old Clarisse Crémer set off on one of the most ambitious feats in sailing—the Vendée Globe. Alongside 32 other competitors, she left Les
