Is it time to swap your boat batteries? We look at the pros and cons of lithium-ion vs standard, installation dos and don’ts, bust the…
Practical Boat Owner
May issue – out 14 March
15 fixes at sea: sailors share how to deal with a range of problems afloat from a dismasting and rudder damage to chafe, the essential…
New boats under 40ft: sail and power
Rupert Holmes previews some of the latest new boats under 40ft that made an appearance at the La Rochelle boat show
TEMO 1000 electric outboard: first look and test
Ali Wood meets the French team behind the new TEMO 1000, and tests the electric outboard on Southampton Water
Winning ways with a junk rig
David Harding looks at some of the latest developments in junk rig and meets the owners of different types of boat who are all convinced of its merits
Insurance cover concerns over lithium batteries
Boat owners are being urged to contact their insurers before switching to lithium batteries to check their insurance will still be valid.
Ann Davison: transatlantic first
It is 70 years since Ann Davison arrived in New York, the end of her voyage which saw her become the first woman to sail across the Atlantic solo. Katy…
Replacing a saildrive gaiter: step by step
After seven years of regular use, a saildrive gaiter should be changed before it deteriorates to let water through the hull, warns Tony Davies
Shilling: a versatile camper-cruiser
Just 5m (17ft) long on deck and classically styled in wood-epoxy, the Shilling opens up a whole new world of sailing – as David Harding discovered
Gunboat crews in defence of the realm
With the publication of the uncensored version of We Fought Them in Gunboats, Julia Jones reflects on the book’s author, Robert Hichens, and the role he and others played in…
Coming alongside – essential skills for shorthanded crews
Coming alongside can be tricky for singlehanded and short-handed sailors. Øyvind Bordal has some sailing skills that will come in handy in harbours
How to pick up a pile mooring
Picking up a pile mooring can be a challenge – especially in a tidal harbour. David Harding explains how it’s done
“Orca damage will be covered” – Insurers reassure boaters bound for hotspot region
Sailors bound for the orca interaction hotspots of the Strait of Gibraltar and Iberian Peninsula can feel reassured that their insurance cover will not be in jeopardy.
Invasive worm species found on British boats
An invasive non-native worm species has been discovered on two boats in Ramsey, Isle of Man, and on boats at Whitehaven in Cumbria
Boat fuel economy: how to save petrol
Modern outboard engines are fuel efficient, but there are still ways you can get more miles per litre from your boat, says Jake Kavanagh
Leg 2 of the Ocean Globe Race begins
11 teams have crossed the start line of Leg 2 of the Ocean Globe Race, with the remaining three yachts to start in the coming days
Cruising in powerboats long distance: a quick guide
When cruising in powerboats, especially small open boats, safety is paramount. Jake Kavanagh shares his advice for relaxed high-speed adventures around the coast and at sea
Fons Oerlemans & Kee Arens: “How we sailed across the Atlantic by raft, truck and giant bottle”
Katy Stickland meets Fons Oerlemans who has sailed across the Atlantic by raft, truck and even in a giant bottle
ARC+ rally sets sail with crew aged 7 months to 87 years
A record-breaking 95 boats left Las Palmas, Gran Canaria on the ARC+ this morning, the largest number to date for the World Cruising Club rally. The yachts from 24 different…
“Age is just a label” – transatlantic skipper (87) raises funds for Ukraine
“I was born in 1935; you tell me how old that makes me? Age is just a label,” says French skipper Christian Lotthé onboard his 41ft Beneteau, Namaste. Chris will…
Coastal cruising: best sail & power boats under 40ft
Duncan Kent chooses a selection of the best sail and motor boats under 40ft most suitable for adventurous cruising along the coast
Buying a boat: the essential guide
Rupert Holmes looks at negotiations, surveys and the legal aspects of buying a second-hand boat