DIY device improves sextant training
When taking sextant sights on any celestial body, one key measurement to log and feed into the sight reduction calculations is height of eye (HE) …
Building a Boat With Glued Lapstrake Construction
By Al Meyer The beginning I launched my previous boat, Wee Lass, a Penobscot 14 designed by Arch Davis, in 2004 and had lots of …
DIY trailering device makes hitching easy
Boating is back in full swing! That means hitching up the trailer and taking the boat to the launch ramp. Sometimes hitching up the trailer …
DIY a hitch stand for your trailered boat
We’re heading into the season where many of us begin to put away our boats for the winter. Those with trailerable boats disconnect the trailer …
News sails breathe new life into old boat
By Jeffrey Taylor I replaced the jib on Principia a couple years ago and had the mainsail made to order just last year. The old …
How to trailer your boat safely
Many trailering accidents could be eliminated by selecting the proper tow vehicle, trailer and hitch for your boat; performing routine maintenance; and practicing before taking …
Build a DIY shore power test adapter
When you’re out cruising this summer, you may find yourself at a marina slip wanting to use shore power to charge your batteries and run …
Refurbishing trailer bunks by replacing worn carpeting
As simple as boat trailers seem, they are fraught with problems. If it isn’t the lights, it’s the wiring; if the lights work, the wheel …
Storing canvas and vinyl panels
Boats of all sizes have canvas and clear vinyl panels to keep the weather out. During the boating season, these panels have a place and …
How to assemble a first-aid kit
One of the most neglected pieces of safety equipment on a small boat is the first-aid kit. As a vessel examiner, I have asked many …
Preserve your fiberglass hull
By Bill Isenberg For below-the-waterline maintenance, epoxy barrier coating is one of the best measures you can take to preserve a fiberglass hull. It prevents …
Ready your boat trailer for winter
In fall we begin to think about putting our boats away for the winter. We fog the engines and put anti-freeze in the water lines, …