Helps in every emergency. A stubborn beer cap, for instance. You never know when trouble will hit. Best to be prepared with the Tom Stokes-designed paracord accessory. It features a bottle opener and three-foot length of paracord in black or tan on a non-load-bearing carabiner to clip to your pack....

Whether out for an afternoon's sail or embarking on a long offshore passage, there is always an element of chance and uncertainty about being at sea. To be responsible for the well-being of both crew and vessel, good skippers need to know their limitations and ensure they are operating well within t...