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How to

DIY Build of a 44-foot Catamaran

Building their own 44-foot catamaran from the plans up, Matt and Jessica
Johnson embrace the cruising life
from a unique perspective.

a sailboat on the water

Rigging: Low Friction Rings

Adding low friction rings to your boat’s rigging repertoire can be a lighter, more affordable alternative to line management.

November/December 2025 Sneak Peek

The November/December issue of SAIL is here, and we’re closing out the year with stories to fire your imagination, expand your knowledge, and broaden your

Ask Sail: Cetol Skin

I used Sikkens Cetol on the bare wood on my Catalina 30, Morning Dew IV. The can was compromised over the spring, and I put the balance in a 16oz clean glass mayo jar. Last spring when I went to use it, a skin had formed over the top of the liquid, so I just cut the skin off. It is 1/8in thick. In the future, is it still OK to use?

Know-How: Rigging Emergency Rudders

We were 1,100 miles from the nearest land when we received a text message on our Iridium GO: “Rudder gone. Water in bilge. Worried pumps

The boom furling powered by Laughing Gull’s electric winch snagged Tamsin’s arm, resulting in a trip to the hospital.

Electric Winch Warning

Though they’ve made sailing easier and more accessible, electric winches must be treated with appropriate caution.

Woman wearing a hat on a boat.

Water System Salvation

Tank water can easily be contaminated with anything from a lingering bad taste to dangerous bacteria. Installing a triple filtration set up on Ben-Varrey helped.

A bridge and a moon

Understand the Tides

Tides are an essential part of coastal sailing, so don’t forget to look at the moon once in a while. 

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