After a season on the water and two years in a boatyard, Maximus’s antifouling was old and flaky. We’d been given the 28ft Maxi 84 by PBO reader Daniel Kirtley,…
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Best inflatable kayaks for families and beginners
Inflatable kayaks are the ultimate way to have fun with family and friends. No boating experience needed, no faffing around with roof-racks. Just pump and go. So when Decathlon launched…
World’s first sustainable and recyclable Optimist dinghy launched – the ecoOptimist
ecoOptimist – the world’s first sustainable and recyclable Optimist since it started to be built from fibreglass rather than plywood – has been launched
Wreck of historic royal ship discovered off the English coast
The wreck of one of the most famous ships of the 17th century - which sank 340 years ago - has been discovered off the coast of Norfolk.
Seadog of the Month: Pickle the adventurer
Stephen Torrance's photo of puppy Pickle on his first passage aboard a Leisure 20 off Pwllheli, Wales, has claimed a coveted 'Seadog of the Month' slot in Practical Boat Owner…
Mast trim for explosive-filled SS Richard Montgomery shipwreck
The Department for Transport wants to trim the SS Richard Montgomery masts as it is feared they could fall on to the shipwreck below and cause a detonation.
Sold! The cocaine-smuggling expedition yacht Kahu
The 120ft expedition yacht Kahu, which was used to smuggle £160million-worth of cocaine from South America to the UK has been sold at auction for £473,500.
Best changing robe you can wear as a coat
A changing robe is the cold water swimmer’s best friend. Not only do you have a portable changing room but you get a hug with it! It makes the difference…
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s compass mystery solved – 53 years after it was stolen
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has been reunited with a compass that went missing off his boat in 1969 by the widow of the man who stole it.
Orcas left us rudderless! Yacht couple tell of terrifying ordeal off Spain
Zoe Barlow shares her experience of losing a rudder during sustained attacks by orcas whilst sailing her Sun Odyssey 40 from Spain to Morocco.
Fitting new seacocks and skin fittings on the PBO Project Boat
Maximus, our PBO Project Boat, had four seacock fittings that need changing – three ball valves in the forepeak (1 x 1½in and 2 x ¾in) and one gate valve…
What are the different types of seacock and when should I replace them?
Seacocks – the small valves on the boat’s hull which allow water to flow through – are one of the most important fittings on the whole boat. Seacocks are used…
Best reusable water bottle for adventure sports and sailing
If you asked me a year ago if I’d spend £25 on a water bottle for adventure sports, I’d say absolutely not! Now, having used my Red Original stainless steel…
Spirit stove installation: How make your boat’s galley safer and cheaper to run
Garry Flashman swaps gas for meths to make cooking and a cuppa much safer, easier and cheaper on his replica Nobby
Save the Jubilee Sailing Trust – here’s how it helped my friend Tony
The Jubilee Sailing Trust, a sail training charity that has helped Sam Llewellyn's friend Tony and many others, has launched an urgent appeal
Channel Hopping: Ryan to the Rescue
Some recent videos and articles about migrant rescues have got our resident YouTube fanatic up on a soapbox
Raymarine RL70C troubleshooting: Our expert solves a range problem
Peter Gaskin writes: “I have a problem with the Raymarine RL70C plotter on the boat – it won’t show below three miles range. “We suspected the card and got a…
How to remove gelcoat: Our expert’s advice on sanding back your boat
Antony Cole writes: “I have 50-year-old GRP trimaran with damaged gel coat undersides. “The gelcoat was left rough and pitted by grit blasting to remove the old antifouling and in…
Best trailer sailboats: Our trailer sailing expert offers his recommendations
Paul Adamson from the Isle of Man, writes: “My wife and I are looking to buy a trailer sailboat, mainly for coastal cruising with an overnight before returning to berth.…
“Sir, your boat is on fire” – one PBO reader’s charter trip drama
Prolific Learning from Experience author Chris Mardon recalls a suspicious yacht fire in the Caribbean