Like many of you who have complained in old threads about the lack of meaningful information in just about all boating mags, I concur.

However, I have found a diamond in the ruff that I recommend. Being a former sailor, who has now found the comfortable side of cruising, I subscribe to "Practicle Sailor". While a great deal of there slant is towards sail, they undertake some very usefull long-term evaluations and testing of products we all use including: bottom paint, varnish, anchor holding power, batteries, safety equipment etc. Given that this monthly newletter does not accept adverstising, they let the chips fall where they may on product evaluation. I have maintained my subscription and refer to it frequently in particular for advice on supplies and equipment choices.

I am sure you will find value in this information source: also a good online site which you can check out first before you take the plunge.

Spin