Late evening turned to night as Pippin fought adverse tides off Corbière, hard on the wind, her old Yanmar straining against the elements like a featherweight pushing Mike Tyson. To…
Practical
How to use sealants for fixing leaks – PBO Project Boat restoration
A downpour of rain shows that making PBO Project Boat Maximus watertight is a priority, so Ali Wood gets some top tips about sealants from experts
Polyurethane vs silicone sealants: Which is best for use on boats?
They’re not the same as adhesives but some sealants – such as Sikaflex – do have adhesive properties. There are many different types of sealant. For example, silicone is an…
Climbing the powerboat ladder: How I bought and sold 3 boats for a $7k profit
As the maxim goes, wind and tide wait for no one and just outside of the breakwater exists another world. To some, boat ownership is insanity, as boats require constant…
How to prepare a boat for winter: Expert lay-up tips
Many of us are lucky enough to be able to keep our boats afloat all year and can therefore sneak in some winter sails – or even short cruises –…
How to cover a boat for winter: Top tips from a boat restoration expert
Opinions are divided when it comes to whether you should cover a boat for winter. Some say the boat is best left uncovered to prevent sweating and condensation. In the…
How I built my grandchildren an 8ft toy tugboat for just £1,200
Like many other boating fathers I made a couple of small dinghies using the stitch and glue method for my sons in the early 1990s and now it’s the turn…
Fixing the vintage Sailor radio 02 – WOW! Take a look inside…
In part 2 of the Sailor radio restoration, Rob Wells takes the knobs off. The dimmer has to be sawn come off, but he manages to remove the on/off switch…
How much sunlight can you expect to reach a boat’s solar panels?
This might sound impossible, but in fact it’s easier than you think, thanks to some handy scientific data published online by the European Joint Research Centre. How can I find…
What is insolation? How much power is reaching my boat’s solar panels?
The sun is 93 million miles away, give or take. Packets of energy called photons leave it and travel at 186,000 miles per second just to fall on us and…
Boat solar panels: Everything you need to know to get started
Want to add solar panels to your boat, or wonder how to make the most of those you already have? David Berry advises
Fixing the vintage Sailor radio 01 – “making a bit of noise” at the repair shop
Whether for listening to BBC cricket or calling up Dutch harbours, the old Sailor radio is still loved by boat owners! The maritime Sailor radio on the PBO Project Boat…
Do I need boat insurance? Expert advice for project boat owners
Here’s my advice for people looking to buy older/project boats and asking themselves: ‘Do I need boat insurance?’ Before buying any boat, old or new, owners should engage the support…
How to fit a marine hot water system to your boat
Today most new yachts come with pressurised hot water, but that wasn’t the case 20 or 30 years ago. Many boat owners are happy to rough it with a kettle…
Snotter trick – how to prolong the life of your sealant
Next time you work with a marine sealant, be sure to leave it hanging, and don’t be tempted to remove the erm… snotty bit that dangles from the bottom. When…
Fixing leaks – how to reseal a leaky deck vent
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…
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…
Day 1 on Maximus – pressure washing and bailing… and more bailing!
I couldn’t wait for my dad to meet Maximus. It was Dad who introduced me to sailing as a kid on Compstall lake in Cheshire. My earliest memory is watching…
How to make rope: Twist your own lines with a traditional ropewalk device
Making your own rope is very satisfying. I’ve run the ropewalk as a public activity at a couple of maritime festivals where I do demonstrations. On both occasions I missed…
Maximus – these sails sound ok but the UV strip is degraded
Good news – the sails on Maximus seem to be in good condition, apart from the UV strip. During the survey of the Maxi 84, Ben Sutcliffe-Davies warned that there’s…