We needed more shade on Aderyn Glas, our Moody Eclipse 33 we keep in the Ionian, and our small boom tent was not up to the job. It was time…
PBO Staff
How to make your own sprayhood or bimini as a DIY project
Sun, sea and general weathering had degraded the stitching, attachment points and external canvas work on Aderyn Glas, our Moody Eclipse 33. It was time to replace it all: sprayhood,…
How to make a customised plywood-epoxy box – no screws or nails
On any boat, particularly smaller craft, the stowage of more delicate objects is always a challenge and for expensive items some sort of protective casing is required. Metal cases (when…
Make your own impeller extractor – two DIY ideas that save money
John Cowan modified an automotive tool for his boat I had a problem removing my seawater impeller recently – the essential, delicate, flexible plastic paddlewheel that draws seawater up into…
How to restore a manual windlass as a DIY practical project
Part of PBO’s DIY from Home series: browse all related ‘in the workshop’ articles here I don’t object to the luxury of an electric windlass on principle, but it didn’t…
How to splice your own V-Bridle with Jimmy Green Marine *promotional post*
A V-bridle is a very secure way of spreading the load on the bow or stern of a boat for towing or mooring or slowing down in heavy seas. V-bridles…
Electric winches, handles and furlers – a buyer’s guide
Maybe you want to spend more time sailing single-handed, or perhaps you’re reaching the age when winching up the mainsail by hand is starting to take the fun out of…
Which battery is best for my boat? How to increase battery capacity on board
With more and more electrical gear going on board the modern cruising yacht there comes a time when the battery bank needs expanding to cope with the rising energy demands.…
How to increase stowage aboard your boat
Few boats are well organised when it comes to stowage, which can quickly lead to an appearance of chaos after a short period on board. Yet very few designs –…
How and where to install a new windlass battery on your boat
PBO Ask the Experts is a free service for readers. Simply email us your question and we’ll find an expert to answer it for you: pbo@ti-media.com ‘I’d like to add…
Popular yacht designs of the 1990s
The 1990s began with a recession that saw a massive dip in the number of new boats sold, in a marked contrast to the boom years of the 1970s and…
Brighton to Baiona: My first time sailing across Biscay as skipper
We slipped out of Brighton Marina in early October intending to make a non-stop passage to A Coruña. We finally arrived in Baiona a month later, but what a lot…
PBO Secret 20 Project Boat update: Spars, partitions and trims
The Secret 20 is a beautifully-shaped wooden sailing yacht designed by Derek Ellard and available to the DIY enthusiast in a pre-cut kit. The brochure describes the boat as ‘the…
Build your own Western skiff – part 5: launch day at last
What a difference five months makes. It was the end of January in Build your own Western Skiff – Part 1 when the revamped Western Skiff kit was delivered by…
PBO Project Boat Secret 20 update: Bulkheads and beams
Designed in Australia and built by enthusiasts all over the world, the Secret 20 packs grace and pace into her streamlined hull. The kit is supplied as a series of…
Project Boat update: Secret 20 completes deck fit-out stage
The Secret 20 is a beautifully designed classic sailing yacht that can be built from a kit, one of which was delivered to PBO in 2016. Regular readers may well…
Build your own Western skiff – part 4: Finishing touches
It was always going to be a tall order: trying to turn a ‘quick ‘n’ dirty’ epoxy ply kit into a beautifully crafted family heirloom. Not quite as difficult as…
Build your own Western Skiff – part 3: Interior fitting and finish
The filleting on the inside took much, much longer than expected,” said a slightly weary-looking Jeremy Butler as he described the latest progress on building his 14ft Western Skiff. In…
Build your own Western Skiff – Part 2: Sheathing and filleting the hull
Boatbuilding can be a lonely business, especially if you’re stuck on your own in a cold garage trying to figure out how to hang your garboards. Download your own set…
Build your own Western Skiff – part 1: the first steps
Finally, after months of planning and discussion, the moment of truth had arrived: the first Western Skiff MkII kit, put together by Jordan Boats, was being delivered to its first…