“Are you looking for a trailerable sailboat? With Com-Pac’s Mastendr system and stainless-steel centerboards, they might be the best trailer sailboats of all! Com-Pac Yachts began business in 1974 with their first boat, the Com-Pac 16. The idea then was to build a seaworthy yacht with a strong commitment to value. Since then they have […]

There are your lights, which should be in good working order. But what about those other navigation lights out there? “Back in the day, ships were small enough for the bow lookout to turn, face aft and yell back to the mate on the bridge. A sailor would affirm the correct functioning of the navigation […]

Since 2014, the National Transportation Safety Board’s Office of Marine Safety has published the Safer Seas Digest, an annual report examining actions that jeopardize the safety of vessels, personnel, and the environment. The most recent edition, released in June 2024, examines 31 investigations completed by the NTSB in 2023. The report analyzes the causes of these […]

Channel 13, Channel 16, Sécurité, Pan-Pan, Mayday, DSC, MMSI. What are they for? Do you know how to make a distress call, and how to respond to one? “Just because everyone has a cell phone in their pocket doesn’t mean the VHF radio is a quaint relic of past technology. Onboard, a VHF is an […]

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is advising boaters with vessels that have a U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation to be wary of any letter arriving by U.S. mail offering renewal. BoatUS advises that while the Coast Guard does send official annual renewal notices by U.S. mail, other notices being received by […]

A former Coast Guard rescue swimmer provides his views about PFDs, and his opinions may surprise you. “When I was in the U.S. Coast Guard, I couldn’t say this; but I believe the phrase “Always wear your life jacket” is terrible advice. It’s not that wearing a life jacket while boating is in any way […]

Buying a boat on a budget of $20,000 is easy!  In this video the Practical Sailor team looks at a Pearson 31, a Hunter 31, a Bristol 29.9, and a Cape Dory.  They discuss potential problem areas including the mast and rigging, the boat’s deck core, it’s engine hours, and keel bolts. Click to watch […]

A former Coast Guard rescue swimmer explains how catchy phrases can perpetuate bad advice, especially at sea. “I’m amazed at how long bad advice perpetuates when it’s given in a catchy phrase. An example: Don’t leave the boat until the boat leaves you. This might be the most misguided advice ever to cross the lips […]

There has been a lot of discussion and some controversy surrounding lithium batteries for boats.  In this excellent article from Practical Sailor, Drew Frye explains the positive and negatives of lithum batteries. Click to read “Simple Lithium for Outboard-Powered Tenders, Daysailers, and Sport Boats” from Practical Sailor, written by Drew Frye.  

Dear Fellow Boaters, We have provided you with this information before, but here it is again: USCG Local Notices to Mariners and Light Lists are available in a new format which was finally launched on December 6, 2024:  https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/msi .  Updated information will be available to anyone at any time. There is a guide to […]