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…
Alison Wood
Features Editor
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…
Fitting new seacocks and skin fittings on the PBO Project Boat
Maximus, our PBO Project Boat, had four seacock fittings that need changing – three ball valves in the forepeak (1 x 1½in and 2 x ¾in) and one gate valve…
What are the different types of seacock and when should I replace them?
Seacocks – the small valves on the boat’s hull which allow water to flow through – are one of the most important fittings on the whole boat. Seacocks are used…
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…
Shackleton’s ship discovery – “most complex subsea project undertaken”
The incredible discovery of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance has made polar history. Scientists have discovered the 107-year-old wreck at the bottom of the Weddell Sea. The discovery, announced this…
Plea to Irish Sea boaters to help stop the spread of non-native marine species
When boaters and paddlers travel our coastlines and oceans, they often accidentally transport non-native marine species. By filling in this short biosecurity survey, you can help boating organisations and policy…
Giant shark spine found in Bournemouth – species revealed
A giant shark spine found near Bournemouth, Dorset, on Tuesday has been identified as a basking shark. PBO editor Ali Wood discovered the grisly 4ft shark spine whilst cycling along…
Large spine found on Bournemouth beach could be from a shark
It’s not every day you come across what might be a shark’s spine. I love beach-combing for fossils and shark’s teeth, and have even swum with seals and dolphins, so…
Marine engine videos with Stu Davies – top tips on servicing your boat engine
When we acquired our 43-year-old cruiser Maximus, we asked PBO’s engine expert Stu Davies and wife Laura to show us how to service the Volvo MD2020 engine. They drove all…
Teak alternatives: How to make your decks look as good as the real thing
However, according to a recent report by the Environment Investigation Agency, there are grave questions over the sustainability and sourcing of teak. Jessie Rogers, of Jeremy Rogers Boatyard works in…
Editor’s letter: Why now is an exciting time to become a boat owner
PBO editor Ali Wood considers new boating innovations and electric versus diesel engines...
Offshore sailing gear: What safety equipment do you need for a rally?
The organisers, World Cruising Club (WCC), have strict safety requirements for participants and check all boats’ offshore sailing gear before departure from Las Palmas. They expect all boats to carry…
Want to appear on the Channel 4 series The Dog House?
The heart-warming TV series The Dog House, which appears on Thursdays on Channel 4, is looking for participants to star in series 4 of the dog-dating show. The series follows…
Is cold water swimming dangerous? Stay safe with these top tips
Cold water swimming has become extremely popular, and with the right preparation and cold water swimming gear, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy it. However, wild swimming in cool…
Lomo tow float drybag review – stay safe when cold water swimming
I love to have a tow float when swimming in the sea. Since their introduction in 2012, tow floats have become a popular addition to the wild swimmer’s kit-list, especially…
Perplexed by marine engines? Read the RYA Diesel Engine handbook
The RYA Diesel Engine Handbook is indispensable for understanding marine engines. If you want to maintain your boat engine, and even have a go at fixing it when things go…
Want to know what it’s like to cross an ocean? Watch these videos…
Ginormous fish, a daring rescue, ripped spinnaker and whale encounters are just a few of the tales we heard as the crews of this year’s ARC+ arrived in Grenada. For…
Dramatic footage shows moment tow-line snaps in rescue of dismasted yacht
The 28ft French vessel was spotted on Sunday by Alfie and Ceylan Moore, who were sailing across the Atlantic on the ARC+ rally with friend Stu Finch and Alfie’s mum…
“Incroyable!” First ARC+ boats arrive in Grenada
“Incroyable!” says skipper Pierre De Saint-Vincent as he celebrates line honours in the second leg of the ARC+ rally from Cape Verde to Grenada. “It’s an experience that will be…