The Yachting Journalists' Association has launched a new award in memory of member and yachting photographer, Tom Gruitt
Laura Hodgetts
Features editor
Follow Laura Hodgetts
Restore waterproofing and revive old sailing kit
Washing and reproofing technical clothing, oilskins and footwear at home is now vital, Gill Marine’s gear guru Matt Clark says, to restore waterproofing. But fortunately, it’s easier than ever…
Loreto Rodriguez named YJA Young Journalist of the Year
Loreto Rodriguez, who has written for Practical Boat Owner, has won the Yachting Journalists' Association's Young Journalist of the Year Award for 2026
Mums on the Water campaign wins Paignton Sailing Club £6,000 top prize
Sunsail's third annual Funding the Future initiative attracted 85 entries but Paignton Sailing Club's Mums on the Water campaign claimed the £6,000 prize.
Starlink Global Roam shake-up will hit cruising sailors
Starlink has cancelled the popular Global Roam plan and placed a 30-day international roaming limit on its Roam Unlimited plan.
Wooden Boat Stage 2026: Focus on inspiring the next generation of boatbuilders
The Wooden Boat Stage 2026 at the Southampton International Boat Show will be delivering a series of talks and demonstrations aimed at encouraging young people to consider a career in
Biocide-free boat antifouling paint ‘works best’
An independent study on seven types of leisure boat antifouling paint has found that biocide-free silicone paint worked best, and a paint marketed as environmentally friendly was ‘extremely toxic’.
Westerly at 60: the largest owners’ association in the world
As the Westerly Owners’ Association marks its 60th anniversary, Laura Hodgetts explores the history of these beloved GRP classics
Volunteer coastguard ‘win’ as pay cut plan paused
Coastguard Rescue Officers across the United Kingdom are celebrating 'a huge win' in their campaign to stop their pay being cut.
Renewed call for alcohol limits for leisure boaters
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is calling for drink-drive limits for non-professional mariners, after a double fatality.
Buyers Guide: the best marine antennas for your boat
When considering whether you should fit a splitter or not, to enable your AIS to share the same aerial as your VHF radio, antenna expert James Turner emphatically advises: “If…
Charter to tackle sports clothing impact
Overproduction, underuse and the disposal difficulty of sports clothing, including the technical challenge of marine garments, are to be tackled in the UK.
Have your say on the future of nautical paper charts
The UK Hydrographic Office has developed a more efficient way to print nautical paper charts on demand, using electronic chart data. How will it affect you?
Fair winds to George Taylor – the co-founder who put the ‘practical’ in PBO
George Taylor, co-founder, assistant editor and later editor of Practical Boat Owner magazine has passed away in his 90th year.
UK volunteer coastguard ‘under threat’
Thousands of coastguard rescue officers will no longer be paid for emergency call outs or training exercises following a Maritime and Coastguard Agency decision
Entries open for the YJA 2026 Young Journalist of the Year Award
Journalists, photographers, videographers, social media reporters, vloggers and bloggers aged 30 and under are being invited to submit their entries for the 2026 Young Journalist of the Year Award
Join the Wooden Boat Stage community at the Southampton International Boat Show
Following a successful debut year in 2025, an expanded Wooden Boat Stage will be returning to the Southampton International Boat Show (SIBS) from 18 to 27 September 2026.
Yacht club using AI community watch system to combat boat crime
Sailing club members are using MoorMesh – an AI-boosted community watch system to tackle thieves targeting yachts on remote moorings
Sailors’ Choice Awards: Nominate the gear that really works for you
Be part of Practical Boat Owner's Sailors’ Choice Awards – as we put the best sailing equipment, gear and customer service in the spotlight.
Lessons from the ARC: 24 top cruising hacks for blue-water sailing
Laura Hodgetts caught up with the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers sailors for their best blue-water sailing hacks for everything from maintenance to lifejackets to lifestyle. 1. Winch upgrade Skipper Henrik…