Is it time to swap your boat batteries? We look at the pros and cons of lithium-ion vs standard, installation dos and don’ts, bust the…
Practical Boat Owner
May issue – out 14 March
15 fixes at sea: sailors share how to deal with a range of problems afloat from a dismasting and rudder damage to chafe, the essential…
‘Nine’ lifeboat rescues is ‘grossly exaggerated’ says Nora skipper
American yachtsman Steve Shapiro defends his haphazard voyage, while others call for him to be stopped.
Multiple rescue yacht Nora catches on fire
The American yacht Nora, which has been rescued multiple times since setting sail last July, has been damaged by a fire on board.
Alderney Marina plans dropped
'Uncertainty over the future of the breakwater' has scuppered plans for an Alderney Marina at Maggies Bay
Installing a Automatic Charging Relay (ACR)
How to install an Automatic Charging Relay on board to upgrade charging two battery banks - a step-by-step guide
‘Substantial clean up’ for fire-stricken Cowes boat yard
The fire destroyed two classic yachts, one of the Dunkirk Little Ships, 15 Etchell keelboats, seven XOD one-designs and five Dragon keelboats.
Charging two battery banks
There are basically four viable options for charging two battery banks on board: Battery switches, twin alternators, split charge diodes, and VSRs. Here's a brief guide to them...
Full bed and boards – Dave Selby’s Mad about the Boat
PBO columnist Dave Selby discusses the prospect of opening a boatel...
22 crew rescued from listing cargo ship in Bay of Biscay
The UK Coastguard have co-ordinated the rescue of 22 crew from a merchant vessel in gale force weather conditions in the Bay of Biscay.
7 Storm Jibs on test
We test 7 storm jibs, including wrap around and sleeved sails, to find out the best options for your boat
Major fire destroys boats at Cowes, Isle of Wight
A large fire broke out in a car workshop near the Medina Boat Yard in Cowes yesterday.
UK weather warning: heavy rain and strong winds
Met Office severe weather warnings for the UK have been issued for heavy rain, accompanied by strong winds
Fairline’s future secured
To ensure continuation of boat production the new company 'Fairline Yachts' invites previous employees to apply for the c.100 jobs that will be immediately available.
March 2016
In the March 2016 issue of Practical Boat Owner...
Coxless Crew complete Pacific row after 257 days at sea
More than nine months after setting off from San Francisco in northern California, the Coxless Four women's rowing team have made land in Cairns, Australia.
Tragedy of five dead whales on UK beaches in four days
HM Coastguard are advising members of the public to stay away from five dead sperm whales washed up on beaches along the east coast of England.
Land Rover BAR launch youth academy
The British America's Cup Challenger and its partner Land Rover have launched a talent programme to find and support talented young British sailors.
Uncharted WWI German submarine found off East Coast
An uncharted wreck of a WWI German submarine has been officially identified three years after being discovered off the coast of Norfolk and Suffolk.
Tidal lagoon power update
Catch up on the plans to harness the tidal power of the Severn...
Coastguard warning after two yachtsmen spark multiple rescues
"It’s not of role the UK Coastguard, which is an emergency service, to arrange a vessel’s repairs or to move a vessel to a location that’s more convenient for the…
New facilities for sailors at Carbost, Isle of Skye
The village of Carbost now offers berthing alongside the renovated pier, visitor moorings, and, by the summer of 2016, overnight pontoon berths.