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…
Alison Wood
Features Editor
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…
ARC fatality and two yachts abandoned mid-Atlantic
French sailor Max Delannoy (73), who was taking part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, has died after being struck by the boom. Mr Delannoy, along with Philippe Anglade and…
Best boat torch – Luceco rechargable LED inspection torch
Lockers, bilges and engine compartments are gloomy places, but a great deal of time is spent looking inside them. Instead of poking around and straining your eyes, keep an inspection…
How to use sealants for fixing leaks – PBO Project Boat restoration
A downpour of rain shows that making PBO Project Boat Maximus watertight is a priority, so Ali Wood gets some top tips about sealants from experts
Best sealant kit to keep on board your boat
Sealing screwed-on windows: With screwed in windows the purpose of the sealant is to keep water out, not to glue the windows. Bostik MSR CA is a hybrid silicone/polyurethane. It’s…
Polyurethane vs silicone sealants: Which is best for use on boats?
They’re not the same as adhesives but some sealants – such as Sikaflex – do have adhesive properties. There are many different types of sealant. For example, silicone is an…
And they’re off! ARC+ yachts leave Las Palmas for Cape Verde
Seventy yachts left Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, this afternoon in gusty 15-20 knot north-easterlies, headed for Cape Verde. The boats are part of the ARC+ – the sister event to…
Countdown to ARC+ begins – 2 hours to go
Moderate to strong winds are expected for the start of the ARC+ today in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. Around 70 boats will be taking part in the rally, sailing to…
On ‘tenterhooks’ after mast damage – why we won’t be making the ARC+ start this Sunday
“It could have been much worse,” says New Zealander Simon Pollard, pointing to the coachroof of the Oyster 56, which looks strangely bare without its mast. “It could have come…
The Red waterproof kit bag on test – PLUS what to wear for dinghy sailing
I have a cupboard full of waterproof bags. Some I use for keeping water in (for example, my 40L Musto drybag, which I use for lugging around soggy wetsuits); others…
Fixing the vintage Sailor radio 02 – WOW! Take a look inside…
In part 2 of the Sailor radio restoration, Rob Wells takes the knobs off. The dimmer has to be sawn come off, but he manages to remove the on/off switch…
Fixing the vintage Sailor radio 01 – “making a bit of noise” at the repair shop
Whether for listening to BBC cricket or calling up Dutch harbours, the old Sailor radio is still loved by boat owners! The maritime Sailor radio on the PBO Project Boat…
Franny Benali – “I thought boating was beyond my means”
After 389 games with Southampton Football Club, Francis Benali retired from football and raised £1m for Cancer Research. In 2014 he ran between every Premier League ground, covering over 1,000…
PBO editor announces departure after four years in post
PBO editor, Rob Melotti, is stepping down after four years as editor of the UK’s biggest boating magazine. Future Publishing is keen to hear from candidates to fill the role.…
Snotter trick – how to prolong the life of your sealant
Next time you work with a sealant, be sure to leave it hanging, and don’t be tempted to remove the erm… snotty bit that dangles from the bottom. When we…
Fixing leaks – how to reseal a leaky deck vent
Leaks are inevitable on an old boat, and deck vents are a common cause. Over time the sealant simply breaks down, there’s play in the vent and water finds its…