May 2026 issue of Practical Boat Owner Magazine

59 low cost upgrades to enhance your boat; How to reduce weather helm; Boat repairs in a Force 9 storm; Designing and building your own trailer-sailer; Replacing chainplates; Sew your own companionway cover; How to reduce the threat of GPS jamming or spoofing; Best second hand boats for creek crawling; Mid-channel medical airlift; TheAircat 285 on test and more!

Order the May 2026 issue online now

Buy a single issue delivered to your door! OR buy a single issue to download now · Buy a back issue · Subscribe to get future issues delivered to your door: www.magazinesdirect.com

Boat improvements that won’t cost the earth

Easy ideas to make life better on board

How to reduce weather helm

The common causes of weather helm – and what can be done to control it

Replacing failed chainplates

How to fit new chainplates

Self-built trailer-sailer

Designing and building a flat-bottomed boat

2026 boating season checklist

Tips to ensure you are ready to splash

Storm survival

How one skipper battled extreme conditions in the Tasman Sea

When your engine doesn’t start!

How to diagnose and troubleshoot engine problems to get it running

How to make a companionway cover

Improve privacy and shelter on board

Building a new doghouse…from an old bath

Modification to the doghouse of a Coribee 21

Aircat 285 on test

Testing the racy-looking inflatable catamaran tender

Searching for witches in Skye

How folk stories helped sailors navigate Scotland’s Hebrides

Navigation 101

How to remember compass points

Ask the experts

Is a bow-thruster necessary? Cracked spreaders and outboard cooling problems solved

Seeing in the dark

How to fit a thermal camera to help with night navigation

Best boats for creek crawling

Second-hand sub 40ft boats for exploring East Coast rivers