Leaks are inevitable on an old boat, and deck vents are a common cause. Over time the sealant simply breaks down, there’s play in the vent and water finds its…
Expert Answers
Should I replace my old radar with cheaper AIS and tablet?
I have a question I would be very pleased if you would put to your expert in electronics. My yacht has an old Raymarine C70 and the screen has gone…
How to detect gas leaks on boats – a handy tool that could save your life
Detecting gas leaks on boats is important, especially as gas standards on boats were very different 40 years ago. Sadly the PBO Project Boat Maximus is going to require a…
Why does my Carbon Monoxide alarm go off when I use an alcohol stove? Ask the experts
We fitted a CO detector when we had a gas stove on our GK24. The gas stove was replaced with an alcohol stove and the CO detector started going off…
Cloudy diesel: What is making my fuel turn more orange than usual?
The red diesel in the bowl of my primary filter looks cloudy and has a more orange colour than normal. There is no sign of water in the bowl. I…
SSB radio antenna: How can I install one on my boat? Our expert answers
Q: I recently bought a NASA Target HF3 SSB radio antenna receiver. The manual that came with it is OK but the instructions for the antenna includes a diagram of…
Copper antifouling: Will it corrode my metal hull? Our expert answers your question
Q: I was wondering about maybe going down the Coppercoat route for my 32ft steel Wylo II. Is copper antifouling a practical proposition for a steel boat? From the electrolysis…
Should I get a bow thruster? Our expert answers your question
Q: I have a Vancouver 32 and I’m considering fitting a bow thruster as it’s a long keel yacht and berthing can sometimes be challenging. But I’m not sure of…
Dangerous gas hoses – make sure your boat’s rubber piping doesn’t look like this!
When did you last check your gas hoses? In this video, PBO expert and marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies, discovers something that ‘sickens him’. “This boat was built in 1984 and…
Refining rigging and improving performance
Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. When, back in 2014, I saw the mainsail on Peter Kewish’s Jeanneau Sun Way 21, I found it hard to be…
Rigging setup: Turning round a yacht’s performance
Little old boats can offer enormous fun for your money, but they often require some tweaking in order to be experienced at their best. Often a little bit of time…
Make a grounding system to protect your boat from lightning strikes
A surprising amount of research has been carried out into lightning strikes on yachts and boats, much of it in Florida but some in New Zealand, Australia and other countries.…
Lightning strikes at sea – advice from a marine surveyor
Over the years I’ve attended a few lightning strikes suffered by yachts on behalf of insurance companies. In the UK it’s not such a common issue as, say, in the…
How to climb your mast and work aloft safely
As much as I love sailing, there is one thing (besides rebuilding the head) that I really have a problem with, and that is the height of the mast. No,…
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…
Pat Manley tribute
Pat Manley, a long-time contributor to PBO and who regularly featured in our Ask the Experts pages, passed away on 5 September.
Lay up for winter – check list
Simple steps to make the winter laying-up process straightforward, painless and effective
What’s that boat?
PBO readers call for help to identify their newly-bought project boats...
How to make your jacket waterproof again – 7 products tested
PBO tests reproofing products
Make your own transom shower fitting covers
Put spice pot lids to a new use with this budget tip to make transom shower fitting covers