Sail Magazine

by Adam Cort

Adam Cort is SAIL’s executive editor. He lives and sails in the Boston area.

More Living Space Afloat

by Adam Cort, Posted September 27, 2011

Tired of huddling belowdecks or behind a dodger whenever the weather turns nasty? Try the new Habitent, a compact adjustable cockpit enclosure from UK-based Hamilton Innovation. The Habitent fits most boats from 21ft to 31ft LOA and takes just 15 minutes to install using a system of webbing straps and a lightweight collapsible frame made of steel tubing and fiberglass. Its large plastic windows

Moorings Made Simple

by Adam Cort, Posted September 27, 2011

There’s nothing like the security of a mooring at the end of a long day afloat—once you’ve managed to grab hold of the thing. Unfortunately, doing so can be tough, especially when sailing shorthanded or on your own in heavy weather. The Mooring Mate solves this problem with an easy-to-connect temporary mooring attachment that lets you then secure the actual mooring pennant at your leisure. The

On-Demand Weather Data

by Adam Cort, Posted September 27, 2011

The Garmin GDL 40 Cellular Weather Receiver allows you to display weather radar and detailed real-time weather data on a compatible NMEA 2000 Garmin chartplotter at a reasonable cost. The system uses cellular technology to download weather data from Garmin subsidiary Digital Cyclone, which provides coverage for Canada, the United States and Europe. Users can subscribe to the network annually, or

Sea Creatures

by Adam Cort, Posted September 27, 2011

The toughest part of using a life jacket is making sure to put the thing on. This goes double for kids. There’d have to be something seriously wrong, though, with any kid who wouldn’t want to wear a life jacket like this. Opa Cove’s Sea Squirts line includes both U.S. Coast Guard certified life jackets and “swim assist” vests for youngsters still working on their dog paddle. The vests’ neoprene

Turn Your iPhone into a Chartplotter

by Adam Cort, Posted September 27, 2011

The iAIS from Digital Yacht is a dual-channel Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver that not only wirelessly transmits AIS data to an iPhone, iPad or iTouch, but can also transmit any other NMEA data available on board, including things like depth, speed and wind information. When coupled with the iNAVx iPhone navigation app INAVx, the result is a portable device that can serve as a

The Volvo All Grown Up

by Adam Cort, Posted September 27, 2011

While the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) will surely continue to evolve in future years, there is a sense of “maturity” to the upcoming 11th running of the event that is unique in its nearly four-decade history—and not just because of the “legends” mini-regatta, which is bringing together a number old boats and former competitors to celebrate the race’s past. Gone are the days of

Foulies for Coastal Sailors

by Adam Cort, Posted September 12, 2011

The Coast high-performance jacket from Gill is available in both men’s and women’s styles and offers excellent protection from the elements, whether you’re cruising or racing. Made from breathable 2-Dot fabric, the Coast Jacket comes with fully taped waterproof seams, a rollaway high-visibility hood with volume adjustment for improved fit and a high collar with faceguard for superior protection.

Night Vision for the Masses

by Adam Cort, Posted September 12, 2011

FLIR Systems’ new First Mate MS has the potential to put thermal night vision capabilities into the hands of every sailor, thanks to its compact size and low price. The First Mate MS uses the same technology as FLIR’s other products, like the M-Series, but weighs just 12oz and measures less than a 7in long.Two versions are available, which provide higher and lower resolutions. Both

Up North Adventure

by Adam Cort, Posted September 12, 2011

For years I’ve been sailing past the mouth of Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay, both as a merchant sailor and in a number of Chicago-Mackinac races, without paying it much attention. It always struck me as little body of water of no great account. How wrong I was!

The Transatlantic Tradition Continues

by Adam Cort, Posted August 24, 2011

A new monohull record, a giant-killing performance by a cruising catamaran and a straight-out-of-the-box victory for the new Puma Volvo 70: those were some of the high points of last summer’s dramatic Transatlantic Race 2011.George David’s super-maxi Rambler 100 blasted across the 2,975-mile course from Newport, Rhode Island to Lizard Point off Cornwall, England, in just over 6 days, 22