Following fuel injector problems, Mike Corp cleans through his Nauticat 311’s diesel system to ensure smooth and reliable running
Practical
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
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 tested 10 wifi gateway options under £250 to find the best smartphone navigation system
With modern tablets and smartphones becoming an increasingly popular choice for electronic navigation, we investigated the core of any onboard wifi network: the multiplexer wifi gateway. This little box of…
How secure is your boat’s mast spreader?
When was the last time you had your mast spreader checked? PBO reader Jane Burton was shocked to find the spreader on her boat was not secured
Why a simple bucket of fresh water is the secret to making a small outboard engine last
If your outboard engine is struggling with salt build-up, follow these essential maintenance steps to keep the cooling channels clear
The expert advice on picking the right sails and keeping them healthy
The new season’s approaching, and your sails are in tip-top condition, right? You’ve had them laundered and the UV strips checked; no frays or mildew, the canvaswork’s gleaming… What? You…
Do I really need a boat bow thruster?
Is a boat bow thruster necessary kit? Experienced offshore and bluewater sailor Rupert Holmes has this answer for one PBO reader
Is it best to use marine diesel that is FAME-free?
PBO reader Paul Fay has struggled to find marine diesel that does not contain FAME (fatty acid methyl ester). He asks the PBO experts for help
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