The Logbook
Sailing guides, tips & fixes.
Field-tested writing on systems, seamanship, and keeping a boat running.
AllMaintenanceCruisingElectricalSafetySeasonal
Maintenance
How to diagnose a diesel that won't start
Eight diagnostic steps, in order. Skip the parts cannon.
Apr 15, 2026 · 8 min
Seasonal
The 47-item spring commissioning checklist
From bottom paint to bilge pumps — what to inspect before launch.
Apr 8, 2026 · 12 min
Cruising
Anchoring tactics for crowded harbors
Scope, swing room, and the etiquette nobody talks about.
Apr 1, 2026 · 6 min
Safety
A standing rigging inspection in one weekend
What to look for at the masthead, terminals, and chainplates.
Mar 24, 2026 · 10 min
Electrical
Sizing a house battery bank — the math
Loads, autonomy, depth of discharge. A worked example from a 38-foot cruiser.
Mar 17, 2026 · 9 min
Maintenance
Winterizing a watermaker without ruining the membrane
Pickling, flushing, and storage temps — what manuals get wrong.
Mar 10, 2026 · 7 min