At this time of year we often start to put into place plans for upgrading our boats for the new season. In many cases this will involve at least some…
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Best boat toilet roll and other practical ideas for the heads
A blocked toilet onboard your boat is to be avoided at all costs and one of the worst culprits is the use of standard toilet paper that contains glue (even…
How to repair gel coat damage – video guide
From rope chafing on cockpit coamings to impact damage after a winch handle has been dropped, gelcoat chips are an inevitable result of any boat that has miles under its…
Rustler 33 review and test sail – a pleasure to look at and a pleasure to sail
I read a fascinating article recently about relationships. It was a distillation of the guidance offered by over a thousand people who had been with their spouses or partners for…
Best boat varnish – choose the right varnish for your woodwork
Varnishing often appears to be a simple task, but there’s a bewildering choice of boat varnishes on the market. An understanding of the qualities of different types of varnish is…
Dorset boat building academy launches crowd funder
The Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis has launched a crowdfunder to raise £20,000 in order to undertake Covid-necessary building work, and in just a couple of weeks is 80%…
Véndee Globe: Pip Hare first British sailor to cross the line
Pip Hare is the first British sailor to cross the finish line of the Vendée Globe, finishing the solo round-the-world race at 0057 this morning. The sailor from Poole took…
Pip Hare: I’ve not just sailed 97% of the way around the world to be broken now
It is relentless out here. Squall after squall. Multiple wind shifts. Waves coming from every direction. Just this second one wave has hit Medallia side on, smashing over the top…
Our new seadog – Chloe’s first voyage
Chloe’s first voyage was from the slip to the mooring. As always, I was more concerned about the engine stopping unexpectedly or being unable to pick up the buoy, so…
Dogs on boats – essential sailing gear for your seadog
Having the right dog sailing gear is an important part of keeping your four-legged friend happy. Any dog can be taken sailing, at least once, but some are better suited…
Sea shanties and a foiling Polynesian proa – PBO Channel Hopping Blog
There may be nothing new under the sun, but happily it’s still fun to see younger generations rediscover old things and show them to us in a new light, writes…
Best bilge pumps: electric pumps, emergency pumps and alarms
We all know that effective bilge pumping arrangements are essential for safety at sea, yet a surprising number of boats are lacking in this respect. Automatic electric pumps often sound…
Make your own bilge pump alarm
A bilge alarm is an essential piece of kit on any boat. You can buy a bilge alarm on Amazon or at any chandlery or make your own using a…
Seadogs: 10 top tips for sailing with dogs
Sailing round the world with dogs requires months of preparation and research, stacks of paperwork, extra supplies and provisions, regular vaccinations, expensive updates for your vessel, and many hours of…
Yannick Bestaven wins Vendée Globe in closest-ever finale
Yannick Bestaven, the 48 year old French skipper of Maître Coq IV, is the overall winner of the ninth edition of the Vendée Globe. Although third over the line at…
Vendée Globe: Charlie Dalin (Apivia) expected at the finish line within the hour
In the closest-ever finish of the Vendée Globe solo round-the-world race, Charlie Dalin (Apivia) is expected to be first over the line off Les Sables d’Olonne at 1950 UTC. In…
How to repair a sail – video guide
Fixing a tear A big tear in the body of the sail looks dramatic but is easy to fix. Don’t use sail repair tape – PSA adhesive backed sailcloth is…
Vendée Globe on YouTube – why the women stand out from the crowd
As another International Women’s Day approaches (8 March), it’s time to check in with the Vendée women skippers on YouTube, writes Kass Schmitt. It was an atypical year, with the…
Best boat heaters – diesel, solid fuel or warm air central heating?
Diesel fuelled heating systems Having a warm boat can significantly lengthen the sailing season, but the best boat heater for you depends on budget, the size of your boat, and…
Hunter Ranger 245 on test – a boat for our time?
Back in 2012, I went for a spin on the Hunter Channel 245 – a robust and chunky little cruiser that punched above her weight in lots of ways. Here…