Gear

Regularly inspect your chainplates to avoid an unexpected failure  (published August 2013) Servicing chainplates is not an item you often find on a sailboat owners list […]

Halfway across the ocean, their spinnaker came down and got tangled in the keel, rudder and prop. Here’s how they got going again.  (published July 2013) […]

Upgrading to laminated, composite sails will improve your boat’s performance for years to come…and will be more fun to use  (published June 2013) Ask any cruising […]

Well stocked first aid and medical kits are essential for safe, healthy cruising  (published May 2013) For cruising sailors, being able to cope with medical emergencies […]

How to become a more confident, anxiety free diesel mechanic  (published March 2013) I had departed the marina in Charleston, South Carolina bound for Florida, it […]

How to deal with the unexpected and learn from your experience  (published March 2013) The day started off great. It was a gorgeous morning. My wife, […]

(published November 2012) Chuck Hawley, West Marine’s  Vice President of Product Development, recently bought an Alerion Express 38 Yawl and is learning how to be a […]

Weather forecasts can be right or wrong, but the sooner you can recognize the difference, the sooner you can take appropriate action  (published July 2015) A […]

Working with professionals who really understand oceanic weather systems and how sailboats behave at sea makes passagemaking faster, safer and more fun  (pubished July 2015) We […]

Why getting sails that hold their shape longer can make the most sense  (published June 2015) I know, I know, you just want a good, durable, […]