Materials

Since the invention of rope, there has also been a need to belay or secure it. Every sailboat has rope on board so, unless you own a superyacht with captive reels or winches, you’re going to have to find a way to make it fast. (As a side note—and before you reach for your ...read more

Boats made from fiberglass are resilient, but, “Their best is their worst property” says Wendy Mackie, CEO of the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA). The material’s durability makes it an ecological disaster. How do you safely dispose of a hull past its prime? Since ...read more

Duncan Kent explains what you should look for in these vital fittings Clearly, with any device that penetrates the hull of a yacht, the choice of materials, design and method of installation is paramount to the safety and integrity of the vessel. Plenty of boats have been lost ...read more

Push-Button Reefing Boats have never been easier to sail, and yet, designers and builders still strive for that extra iota or two of convenience. A case in point is the growing acceptance of powered headsail furlers. Roller-furling headsails are ubiquitous not only on cruising ...read more

Your ground tackle is like a relationship—the more you care for it, the longer it will last. So, how do you enhance the relationship? First up, think of the accommodations—a damp, salt-rich, often warm environment, just the kind of thing to encourage corrosion. What can be done? ...read more

Getting a good night’s rest is important on any cruising boat. Back in the early days, a sailor was lucky to have a canvas hammock strung up in the bow of a ship to sleep in. Thankfully, today’s boaters have things a bit better, but getting a good night’s sleep aboard your boat ...read more

Not surprisingly, given all the changes to antifouling paint in the last few years, such as the loss of some biocides, copper regulation in California and Washington State, raw material costs and new VOC regulations, many sailors have been left wondering, “What’s next?” Efforts ...read more