Using Ikea bed slats for a comfortable night's sleep - and as a floor for an Avon Dinghy
Ben Meakins
Reinforced Oar Tips
A good use for that leftover epoxy resin - Hanne and Matthijs Siljee-van Beek beef up their oars
DIY cutless bearing extractor
Graham Swetman makes his own heavy-duty bearing extractor
Tracing tricky leaks on a boat
Boat leaks are the bane of a sailor’s life, but with patience their source can be traced. Here are some ideas of where to start...
10 Gelcoat cleaners tested
Which gelcoat cleaners are best at combating waterline yellowing on boat hulls?
DIY use of antifouling paints meeting round-up
Watch this space and in PBO to find out what you can do to defend your rights to apply antifouling yourself, in a safe manner.
Installing a Automatic Charging Relay (ACR)
How to install an Automatic Charging Relay on board to upgrade charging two battery banks - a step-by-step guide
Charging two battery banks
There are basically four viable options for charging two battery banks on board: Battery switches, twin alternators, split charge diodes, and VSRs. Here's a brief guide to them...
Reconditioning a turbocharger
A turbocharger on an engine is an effective way to get extra horsepower, improve fuel consumption and emissions. But when a turbo goes wrong it’s definitely time to call in…
Which drogue should you buy? 7 drogues on test
When your boat’s being battered by a storm and you want to ride things out, a drogue will make things more comfortable. But which one should you buy? Ben Meakins…
Hantu Biru’s farewell cruise: A Snapdragon in Scotland
As PBO prepares to say goodbye to its much-loved project boat, Ben Meakins recalls Hantu Biru’s farewell cruise in the Kyles of Bute
Across the Channel in Hantu Biru
We took the PBO Project Boat on a shakedown sail - across the Channel and back! Read on to find out how Hantu Biru got on...
Making GRP locker lids
Tim Marsden demonstrates how he fashioned a smart pair of cockpit locker lids for his bargain boat using glassfibre and iroko hardwood
Using an emergency tiller
How to make sure your emergency tiller is up to the job should your wheel steering fail at sea
How to steer a yacht without a rudder: Jury steering methods tested
How would you cope if your boat lost its steering at sea? PBO tries a variety of jury steering fixes to see how well they help to regain control
Is it safe to use a tether?
Perceived wisdom is that if you fall overboard, staying tethered to the boat will keep you safe. But is that the case? PBO’s test team conduct some trials… with sobering…
How to tow alongside
Towing another boat in the confines of a harbour means that you'll need to set up a tow alongside. Here's how...
How to set up an astern tow at sea
We examine the techniques of towing and setting up an astern tow at sea, trying out the textbook theories in practice
How to master fore and aft trot moorings
Fore-and-aft trot moorings are cheaper than marinas and have many advantages - but they can be tricky to pick up. Here's how...
12 of the best weatherproof padlocks tested to destruction
Ben Meakins utilises a saltwater spray tank, bolt croppers and a hacksaw to assess the effectiveness (or otherwise) of a selection of padlocks when it comes to preventing boat break-ins