John MacKenzie finds himself renovating a war veteran’s Leisure 17 that had resided among chest-high nettles in a field in rural Hampshire for 17 years
Practical
PBO Ask the Experts LIVE! Professional paint job made easy
Experts from International Paint show you how to roll on and tip off paint to get a mirror shine on your new paint job.
How to make your own canvas bucket
Lin and Larry Pardey's step-by-step guide to producing a durable canvas bucket: from the January 1995 issue of Practical Boat Owner magazine.
Sharpening chisels and plane irons
Blunt tools a problem? Razor-sharp chisels and planes produce a much better job and are easier and safer to use. Julian Peckham shows how it’s done
Using a wood plane
There’s more to using a simple hand wood plane than first meets the eye. It’s not just a case of screwing a knurled knob in or out to adjust the…
Vinyl wrap your boat’s hull
When Tim Powell bought a 30-year-old Gib’Sea 28 he knew that one of his first jobs would be getting the topsides looking like new again. If your gel coat is…
9 ways to keep your log impeller fouling-free
We received a deluge of responses when we asked how you keep your log impellers fouling-free. Here are 9 of the best...
How to check your rigging
Maintenance of your rigging can save expensive failures and could be a lifesaver - here's how to check your boat's rigging
8 quick tips for varnishing
Some tips and tricks to get the best finish possible when varnishing your boat's woodwork
Replacing a Yanmar 1GM10 cylinder head
How to remove, inspect, replace if necessary, and refit a Yanmar 1GM10 cylinder head - step-by-step
3D printing boat parts
Much has recently been made in the papers about 3D printing, which can manufacture replacement bones, blood vessels, buildings and weapons, while NASA are even considering using it to construct…
Check your boat’s gas system
Considering gas is the most dangerous substance likely to be on board, you’d be surprised how far down the list most people place the safety of their gas system. Many…
Build a boat from a kit
There’s a great way to own a new boat on a budget – build it yourself. We followed five builders and their projects
9 tips for using sealant
Premium bonding: some techniques for getting the most out of sealant without ending up covered in the sticky stuff!
Gelcoat repair colour matching – the quick way
A basic colour match may not be perfect – but in most cases it’ll do the job and is much easier to use than professional repair products
Gelcoat repairs: How to make an invisible repair
Everything you need to know to make an invisible gelcoat repair, from preparation and filling to topcoat and polishing
Refit a racer for cruising
Eighteen months after winning the 2009 OSTAR in his Sigma 33C, Elmarleen, Will Sayer talks to Ben Meakins about his next challenge...
65 ways to cut the cost of your boating
With the turbulent forecasts for the UK and global economy, many of us have had to ask ourselves if we can really justify the outlay required to own a boat…
Wreck to Transat racer
Is racing across the Atlantic in a boat bought with a student loan really feasible? Here's the story of PBO reader Will Sayer's preparations to compete in the OSTAR in…
What’s that boat?
PBO readers call for help to identify their newly-bought project boats...