Everything Else

Mystery Science

by Sail Staff, Posted November 18, 2008

According to manufacturer Weems and Plath, there’s a certain amount of mystery surrounding the “how-it-works” question when considering their Storm Glass. This unique, handsome bronze instrument comes filled with a proprietary solution and crystals, which rise up in the glass tube during certain weather events and settle back down during other conditions. While Weems and Plath mention that the

Zip-Locked

by Sail Staff, Posted November 18, 2008

There are water-resistant bags, and then there are dry bags. Watershed’s Yukon is a dry bag, meaning that provided you close the bag properly, water simply isn’t going to enter. The bag, which is built out of chemically stable polyurethane-coated fabrics, features a zip-lock-like closer system (called a Zip-Dry seal); once closed, a user simply rolls the top of the bag down and affixes the clips,

Sensibulb LED

by David Schmidt, Posted November 7, 2008

Much has been written in recent years regarding LED light bulbs as a way of saving energy aboard, and about the many hours of use that each LED unit delivers, and rightly so. Why waste power and create heat by using inefficient incandescent bulbs? The Sensibulb is the newest LED offering from Sailor’s Solutions, and is purported to be the brightest aftermarket LED available. Best yet, the

Everything In Place

by Connie McBride, Posted August 21, 2008

Aboard our 34-foot Creekmore–designed sloop, Eurisko, we use easy-to-reach Sunbrella pockets to store our binoculars and hand-bearing compass. Cruising with three teenage boys has taught us that pockets, and lots of them, also make terrific storage containers for them. I've made pockets for both bunks in the aft cabin; 24 pockets cover the entire space from the bunk up to the bottom of the

Pocket Sword

by David Schmidt, Posted July 7, 2008

Pocket SwordIf you like folding knives with a million built-in gadgets, stop reading this review. But if you value exceptional workmanship, excellent quality materials, and the sharpest blade that this sailor has ever used — bar none — meet the Basic 3 from the studio of boutique knife maker David Boye. After using countless stainless-steel diving knives that always end

Trailer Envy

by David Schmidt, Posted May 22, 2008

If you own an older boat, finding the right trailer can be a chore, especially if the boat is no longer in production. Luckily, there’s a solution. Meet Brian Bishop, owner of a boutique sailboat trailer company called Sailboat Transporter. After spending some frustrating time seeking a reliable, reasonably priced trailer for his Islander 36, Bishop realized that a market niche existed, which he

Illuminated: Black & Decker Bright Bar

by Sail Staff, Posted January 15, 2008

Need to shed light on your engine without tapping your house batteries? Meet Black & Decker’s cordless Bright Bar and Mini Bright Bar. The units can provide focused light, area lighting, or 360-degree lighting, depending on the space that needs illuminating. They use long-life LED bulbs, which are reported to provide up to 10,000 hours of bulb life, and have an adjustable swivel-hanging hook for

Trap Strap

by Sail Staff, Posted November 18, 2007

Hanging it out on the wire is one of the most exciting aspects of dinghy sailing; being thrown forward and taking the full-value “around-the-world” ride around the forestay is one of the scariest. Using a fixed footstrap can lead to serious injury in the event of capsizing or pitchpoling. The new AquaStrap is a releasable footstrap made out of high-grade polymers; it can be screwed or riveted

Swing Time

by Sail Staff, Posted September 16, 2007

Nothing beats lounging in a hammock with a good book after a sail. Cool Net Hammocks recently introduced its namesake product, which is easily set up via a three-point connection system. The hammock can be attached either forward of the mast (attaching to the forestay, the mast, and a shroud) or behind it (using a shroud, the mast, and the backstay), depending on your boat’s layout. The hammocks

Sliced and Diced

by Sail Staff, Posted September 16, 2007

Besides nationality, what do the Swiss America’s Cup syndicate Alinghi and knife manufacturer Wenger have in common? Answer: A partnership that has produced a well-thought-out, sailing-specific knife. The Alinghi Knife features the best pliers I’ve ever seen on a folding knife, a locking blade, a line gauge, various screwdrivers, and a spike—all designed to help you MacGyver yourself out of tight