Walt’s handy extending boathook is an extension handle meant for rolling paint and available in many painting supply stores. It has a thumb-trigger locking mechanism, which he prefers to twist-lock boathooks.

At last, a collapsible boathook that works Issue 53 : Mar/Apr 2007 I have never seen a collapsible boathook I liked. Even if you can get the twist lock to release, it never seems to retighten securely...

A collar with stops prevents the tiller from swinging farther than necessary. This saves both the rudder and all parts of the boat that may be in its path. Best of all, the skipper no longer worries at the sound of loud thumps from somewhere below the waterline.

Avoid paying for those expensive thumps Issue 54 : May/Jun 2007 Our 30-year-old Ranger 28 has a balanced rudder and is tiller-steered. While I prefer a tiller and like the feedback it gives, it unsett...

How’s your boat sitting on her lines? Check with a clinometer oriented fore and aft, rather than from side to side.

An easy way to check fore-and-aft trim Issue 55 : Jul/Aug 2007 I got tired of looking over the transom to check trim fore and aft. Our Ranger 28 has a reverse transom, which makes it difficult to see ...