Topping up the batteries with solar power has never been easier, says Ali Wood, but how do you decide which type to buy?
Alison Wood
Features Editor
Best boat heaters – diesel, solid fuel or warm air central heating?
There are many ways to stay warm afloat, whatever your budget. Ali Wood chooses the best boat heaters
Rig tuning for cruising sailors
Point higher and sail faster – every yacht can benefit from an optimal rig setup. Ali Wood finds out from the experts how it’s done
Your complete guide to what to wear dinghy sailing
From base layers to life jackets to your hands and feet, this helpful guide from PBO's Ali Wood explains what to wear dinghy sailing so you can stay warm and…
Understanding boat displacement & why it matters
How well do you feel like you understand boat displacement? For most sailors, it’s an overlooked topic. When I returned to marine journalism after a spell working on other magazines,…
ARC Rally Stopover Survival Guide: The boatyard at the crossroads of the world
How do you fix a boat in the middle of the Atlantic? BoatCV, beloved by generations of ARC Rally cruisers, has the answer. The workshop echoes with see-sawing files and…
How to manage solar, hydro and wind power on your boat
Three transatlantic cruisers share valuable lessons about their onboard power setups, their marine battery choices, and where they went wrong.
Your guide to different cockpit styles, and how to best use the space
Whether you’re buying a new boat or refitting an older one, the cockpit deserves consideration; probably more than you think. While a spacious saloon or forepeak cabin is appealing, the…
How to get started with a trailer-sailer: Everything you need to know
Ever considered getting a trailer-sailer? Some think they might just be for pottering around harbours, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Over the years PBO has met owners who’ve sailed thousands…
Boats on Wheels: How we started a trailer-sailer selling business
Hein and Hilary Kuiper were ‘big boat’ sailors before setting up their trailer-sailer dealership Boats on Wheels on the South Coast. Coming from the Netherlands, they found mooring to be…
Industry insight: lithium marine batteries and other power options
A lot of people are wondering whether to switch to lithium marine batteries, but don’t actually know what they should be looking for when buying batteries to power their life…
A beginner’s guide to managing marine battery power
Word to the wise: always keep an eye on your marine battery. Last summer, I hired a flybridge cruiser on the Canal du Midi. The brief handover focused on how…
The Garmin chartplotter + 7 other options
Ali Wood weighs in on the Garmin chartplotter and other electronic navigation options from Furuno, Raymarine, B&G, Lowrance, Simrad, and Orca. Furuno Furuno’s NAVNet TZtouch 3 range is available in…
A beginner’s guide to the chartplotter
Whether you’re new to boating or looking to enhance your navigation with a phone, tablet or MFD, Ali Wood runs through the different chartplotter options
Best marine sealants and adhesives for boat jobs
With help from adhesive and sealant expert Laurie Brebner, PBO’s Ali Wood explains which works best for different jobs on a boat
How I switched to electronic charts
Ali Wood recalls her first sailing passage using electronic charts
Summer sailing: how to have the best time afloat!
Ali Wood gets some top tips from experienced cruisers on preparing for the perfect summer cruise
How we live the dream: sailors share their routes into bluewater sailing
There are many paths to bluewater cruising. Here boat owners share their stories with Ali Wood ahead of their transatlantic crossings
Fouled propeller fix: top tips for solving the problem at sea
What should you do when you catch a line or fishing net and your prop becomes fouled? Ali Wood looks at the options
Sailing with family: tips to keep your children safe & happy on board
How do you juggle feeds, naps and tantrums while sailing around the world? Ali Wood gets top tips from the liveaboard Stevens family



















