Finding decent Christmas gifts for boat owners on a budget is an unenviably tricky task, but luckily Practical Boat Owner is here to help! Below are our recommended Christmas gifts…
Gear
Musto MPX offshore jacket 2.0 review: As comfortable as it is stormproof
The base fabric has a new generation three-layer Gore-Tex Pro membrane, while recycled nylon used for the face material. This results in an efficient, but impressively lightweight and comfortable, garment…
Best boat varnish: 7 top options for gleaming woodwork
Few things are as quintessential to the archetypal sailboat as gleaming, iridescent woodwork that is indicative of a recent coat with one of the best boat varnish products on the…
Cold water swimming gear: Everything you need to take the plunge all year round
There’s no better way to lift the spirits than an outdoor swim. Whether you’re a dipper or a swimmer, the experience leaves you tingling all day. I’ve been cold water…
Tried and tested: Typhoon Amrok 50N buoyancy aid, Caliso3 Eco long john and top
Unless you’ve got knee pads, full wetsuits are better than shorts for dinghy sailing, but the long arms can be too hot for summer. A neat solution is the 3mm…
Women’s oilskins: Why finding the perfect fit is nigh-on impossible
I decided over the summer that my trusty Musto fleece-lined mid-layer suit was past it. The gaffer tape repair over the leg seams was coming unstuck, and there were sizable…
Ultrasonic antifouling tested: 4 cutting edge options for keeping your hull clean
N.B. This article was first published in the January 2015 issue of PBO and some of the products below have now been discontinued. Ultrasonic antifouling has been around in the…
Lewmar Epsilon review: New generation anchor takes holding power to the next level
New generation anchors with holding power well beyond that of the previous common shapes, including the CQR, Bruce and a whole host of their derivatives, have been with us for…
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
We pushed this budget paddleboard right up to its weight limit: Bestway SUP review
I recently wanted to try an inflatable stand up paddleboard (SUP) for use as a tender to get to my boat when she’s out on the mooring. I’ve done this…
Our TEMO 450 travels behind the saloon seats, wedged in by rum bottles
Self-confessed fair weather sailors Jim and Libby Earle share their take on the TEMO 450 electric outboard, recently purchased and in use cruising round Mallorca.
Tried and tested: 2hp TEMO 450 electric outboard motor
It was on a grey day following one of the biggest storms of February that I met David Ellis from Marine Components International at my local yacht club on Southampton…
Best dinghy sailing gear for cold weather: Sealskinz accessories put to the test
I was first introduced to Sealskinz when I borrowed some socks for a winter dinghy course. The Beast from the East had brought freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, and I…
Laser Tools launches new cordless soldering iron
I’ve never really got on with gas soldering irons, which means I still use 240V models when on board. They’re inexpensive and are easy to replace if necessary, but connecting…
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…
How does a smart watch work? Garmin Vivoactive 4 on test with pictures
I’ve had my Garmin smart watch for six months now and have taken it up mountains, swum in lakes and the sea, hiked through forests and run across beaches. There’s…
Best boat cooker: 10 alternative options for gas-free cooking
Gas cookers used to be the standard choice on almost every boat, but there are good reasons why they are not necessarily the best boat cooker. The dangers of fire…
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…
Garmin inReach Mini 2: Pocket satellite messenger updated for 2022
Garmin’s inReach Mini 2 pocket size satellite messaging device has been upgraded with an improved user interface and longer battery life. More functionality can be accessed directly on the device,…
Yamaha B and Yamaha T outboards: New models target displacement boats
Daysailers and small yachts with outboard power have specific needs that are not automatically well catered for by engine manufacturers. Their relatively heavy displacement and low speeds under power demand…