Don Fitzroy Smith finds a new way to 'raise the flag' by building his own flagstaff for his ensign
Practical Boat Owner
Follow Practical Boat Owner
How I built my dream minimalist trailer-sailer to navigate the Canadian wilderness
Herb McLeod explains how he designed and built his flat-bottomed 3.6m Omakayas
Fire up the engine or just enjoy sailing in light wind? Which side of the debate are you on?
Don’t just fire up the engine on a light airs day – make the best of the gentle sailing conditions, says John Simpson
I made international news by running aground off the coast of Brittany
Heading for the start of the annual Waller–Harris two-handed race, an event in which Knight Star had proudly taken the class trophy for the previous two years, our spirits were…
How to secure and tow an inflatable tender
Kerry Pears and husband John have rescued many an errant tender in their years afloat, so Kerry has advice to prevent yours from going walkabout
Is the upgraded Orca Navigation System better than a traditional chartplotter? We test it over 450 miles to find out
Justin Morton puts the latest Orca display and software to the test over 450 miles to see if it performs better than a traditional chartplotter
Pip Hare: a masterclass in resiliance
Against all odds, Pip Hare’s broken mast during the last Vendée Globe became a masterclass in resilience. She talks about her life in sailing and how she coped with her…
“A big gust hit us, ripping the clew from the jib”: How I got to the marina safely after gearbox failure, a ripped sail and sheet wrap while sailing against wind and tide
When his drive failed near sandbanks, Bob Angell thought he could sail out of trouble... until the wind picked up
Learning the skills of pilotage
Pilotage is a tricky yachting skill for a skipper to master, but also one of the most satisfying. James Stevens has the inside track on picking up the techniques
Epoxy sheathing: a guide for boat owners
Epoxy sheathing offers a long-lasting alternative to canvas for covering a traditional plywood coachroof or deck, as Richard Johnstone-Bryden explains
Mid-channel medical airlift from a yacht
Andy Turner suffers a debilitating heart condition while sailing his Bowman 46 offshore with his son and a friend, resulting in an HM Coastguard helicopter airlift from an RNLI lifeboat.
Searching for witches in Skye – a cruising adventure aboard a Westerly Storm
Michael Skidmore explores how folk stories can help sailors navigate the Hebrides.
Moving a primary fuel filter for access all areas
Paul Diamond explains how he upgraded his primary fuel filter to make it easier to get at and change
Fed up with people staring into your saloon? Here’s how to make a companionway cover for privacy and shelter on your boat
Keep your cabin dry and private with this simple canvas companionway cover project that anyone with a robust sewing machine can tackle.
DIY chainplate redesign: how one skipper made his rig stronger
After a chainplate snapped on his Albin Cumulus 85, Joe Magee explains how he designed and fitted new ones
We sailed from London to the Netherlands, leaving the city for the sea locks
Matthew Kenyon and crew sail a Jeanneau Attalia from London’s South Dock to Amsterdam via the East Coast of England
The best used boats for cruising the Mediterranean this summer
Phil Clandillon looks at the most suitable sub-45ft second-hand yachts for sailing the Mediterranean. Models: Beneteau Oceanis 311 | Bavaria 32 Cruiser | Elan Impression 344 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey
Is this the failsafe method for picking up a boat mooring single-handed?
Chris Hitchins demonstrates the easy and reliable method he uses for picking up swinging moorings when sailing single- or short-handed
Retrofitting a waste holding tank: Solving the 1980s design dilemma
Harbour foreman and boatbuilder Mike Pickles explains that with a little imagination, you can find space on most boats for a waste holding tank
How I used salt to add non-slip to my cabin sole
The cabin sole on my Contessa 32 has a lot of nicely varnished hardwood-faced ply joinery. But part of the sole is on a slope which doesn’t help when walking…