A solo sailor shares his top safety tips
John Cotton describes the modifications he has made to his Albin Ballad to make her a safe and dependable yacht for Nordic single-handing
Satellite communication at sea: staying connected from your boat
With Starlink’s high-speed internet, do sailors still need satellite phones on board while at sea? Ali Wood looks at the pros and cons of the…
Why is my boat battery not holding a charge?
Chris Mardon is struggling to understand why his boat battery is not holding a charge. Duncan Kent has some suggestions
Maintenance
Sail cleaning the DIY way
Mike Attree shows how he spruced up his genoa in the garden
How to make a wind scoop for under £10
With a previous home-made wind scoop now showing its age, Ann Berry fashions an efficient replacement for less than £10
Boat propeller: How to choose the right one for your boat
The correct prop can have a dramatic effect on your boat's performance. Ali Wood learns how you can save fuel, reduce drag and go faster
How I got insurance for my DIY eBoat
Qualified marine electrician Jamie Marley shares how he finally managed to insure his home-built electric power catamaran
Amazing adventures
Cape Horn to port – gaining confidence as a new skipper
Family boats lead transatlantic rally in ARC+ start
12 top tips for sailing around the UK
Sailing with a dog in the Mediterranean
Practical Projects
How to make curly cord as a DIY project
Casting a cutless bearing housing
How to make your boots non-scratch to save your boat decks
How to build a custom boat port
How to refurbish a scruffy outboard cowling
How to make a last-minute home-made dinghy spinnaker pole
PBO Project Boat
What does a sailmaker do?
Shortly before the Round the Island Race, one of the largest yacht races in the world, it’s all go at…
Shore power: solving tripping problems
Ali Wood gets a crash course in reverse polarity and smart charging when Project Boat Maximus’s shore power gets trippy…
Sail design – using 3D software and laser technology to cut new sails
During the survey of our Maxi 84, the PBO Project Boat Maximus, we were warned by a marine surveyor that…
How to measure your yacht for new sails
Measuring your boat for new sails is a job for the sailmaker, so when our PBO Project Boat Maximus needed…
Restoring a vintage Sailor radio
Ali Wood’s Sailor radio is given the VIP treatment
Seajet Bioclean silicone antifoul review: Our verdict after one year on the water
Does silicone antifouling work? It’s not flying off the shelves yet, according to suppliers, but the results from our Project…
Securing mast cable on our Maxi 84
With the help of ACM Marine, Ali Wood goes about securing mast cable on the Maxi 84 PBO project boat
Family sailing safety gear: TESTED!
Ali Wood discusses the sailing safety gear she chose for their first family cruise on board their Maxi 84, and…