Charles Beddingfield designs and constructs a 2m pram dinghy from plywood and epoxy to use as a DIY tender for his motorboat Tudor Rose
Practical
How I made DIY sails for a Laser
Colin Clayton explains how he experimented with dinghy junk rigs and made his own DIY sails
Boat stuffing box access: the tools and techniques to make it easier
Trying to get at the almost-out-of-reach boat stuffing box is the stuff of nightmares, Dr Ieuan Davies has some ideas that might make life easier
Sailing Uma: ‘How we built an electric sailboat to take us around the world’
Katy Stickland talks to Sailing Uma’s Dan and Kika Deckert about the three year refit of their 1972 Pearson 36 for an all-electric circumnavigation of the globe
Retrofitting a boat holding tank
Rules are tightening all over the world in an effort to improve local water quality, with holding tanks playing a vital role on board yachts. Jake Kavanagh looks at the…
Restoring a lost International 14 racing dinghy found in a barn after 20 years
Ned Coackley needed a retirement project and an International 14 racing dinghy from the 1920s needed complete renovation. Here's how he restored the boat for £1,000
10 tips for boat heads to prevent blockages and odours
Offshore sailor John Carey explains maintenance regimes and troubleshooting hacks to make sure your heads never lets you down
Antifouling paint tips from the experts
Removing old antifouling paint, preparing the hull, and selecting and applying the best fouling control may seem daunting for many DIY-ers. AkzoNobel’s Jason Hill shares his tips
Why type of anode should I be using when regularly flushing an engine?
Corrosion protection in fresh or brackish water is different to salt water. Vyv Cox has this expert advice for those regularly flushing an engine with freshwater
Why a fuel system clean was the only way to get my engine working again
Following fuel injector problems, Mike Corp cleans through his Nauticat 311’s diesel system to ensure smooth and reliable running
How to check keel bolts + why it matters
A keel shouldn’t just fall off – there are warning signs for keel integrity that every boat owner should know
Making a Perspex switch panel
Tony Davies shows how he made a simple helm dashboard switch panel using 10mm black polycarbonate
Marine varnishing: an expert guide to making your woodwork shine
Few things look better on a boat than beautifully varnished woodwork. The best results are all down to the preparation and here sailor, cabinetmaker and antique furniture restorer Roger Oliver…
Painting over varnished wood: Is it ever OK?
Mark Prior commits the ‘cardinal sin’ of painting over varnished wood aboard his 1988 Moody 376 – and is delighted with the results
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
DIY Guide to Overhauling and Reassembling your Boat’s Furler
With a likely bill of £500 to have his forestay replaced, Stu Davies decides to tackle the job himself – and gets carried away overhauling the mast and furler
How I learned vinegar is the mystery cure for marine growth
Sometimes life throws us a curveball, and last year it happened to us. Our boat is based in Portugal. We are having a ball there but unfortunately, due to illness,…
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
How I built a DIY boat doghouse using an old bath as a mould
When traditional plywood didn't match the curves of his Corribee 21, Jake Kavanagh found an ingenious—and free—solution at the local scrapyard
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