Recently Updated

Articles and chapters that we have recently made meaningful updates and improvements to, either in the light of new information, or because our thinking on the subject has changed.

You can find the updates quickly by clicking on the article and then using your browser’s search function to look for “update”. That said be careful since reading the update without the context provided by the entire article could lead you to completely the wrong conclusion.

Mainsail Handling Made Easy with Lazyjacks

September 12, 2021September 3, 2013 by John Harries

John believes that any boat over about 45 feet that will be sailed shorthanded needs lazyjacks. In this chapter he describes the lazyjack system that allows him to set, reef, and strike Morgan’s Cloud’s 600-square foot mainsail without resorting to complex gear like roller furling masts or booms.

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Check Your Boat Shore Power System

September 11, 2021August 10, 2021 by John Harries

Shore power safety is something most of us don’t think about much, but here’s why we should, based on a scary real world experience, and some checks we should all make.

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Battery Options, Part 1—Lithium

August 17, 2021May 5, 2018 by John Harries

John recently replaced the house battery bank on Morgan’s Cloud. But before starting the project he had a big decision to make: which battery type. Here’s a look at the options he considered, starting with lithium.

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Downwind Sailing—Poling Out The Jib

August 16, 2021May 24, 2015 by Colin Speedie

Poling out the headsail to sail downwind can be intimidating, particularly offshore in big breeze, but Colin has a way to make it easy and safe.

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Two More Anchor Selection Criteria

August 14, 2021May 8, 2021 by John Harries

John forgot two important anchor selection criteria in the last article, so this one fixes that.

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Resetting Failures With Rocna and Manson, and Thoughts on Vulcan and Mantus

August 14, 2021May 24, 2019 by John Harries

When an anchor that thousands of sailors rely on seems to have a dangerous flaw, we need to write about that…and we do. Also, some thoughts on the the Vulcan and the Mantus anchors.

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SARCA Excel Anchor—A Real World Test

August 2, 2021February 3, 2019 by Colin Speedie

Colin’s in-depth, real-world test and review of the SARCA Excel anchor, based on a season of use in a cruising ground that is notoriously difficult to anchor in.

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