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…
April issue on sale today!
The April issue of PBO is out in the shops today and it's packed full of tips, advice and reviews
What to pack in a grab bag
No one wants to abandon ship, but a grab bag of essentials can make a short stay in a liferaft more bearable – and might even save your life
Lysblink Seaways to be towed to sheltered bay
The stricken cargo ship Lysblink Seaways is going to be towed to the safe anchorage of Scallastle Bay ahead of forecast bad weather.
April 2015
In the April 2015 issue of Practical Boat Owner...
Dave Selby podcast: ‘Mad About The Boat’
In his latest boating podcast, Dave Selby issues a bewildered salute to those splinter group members for whom leaky wooden boats seem to exercise an irresistible appeal...
Your project here!
If you’re enjoying our Practical Projects section, why not send us your practical tips, techniques and ideas? We pay at least £30 for each one published in the magazine. Contact…
Seizing a shackle – with another shackle
Paul Young seizes his mooring shackle... with another shackle to ensure it doesn't come undone
Waterproof your trailer light plug
Boat trailer electrics, especially trailer light plugs are very susceptible to damage, either through the wires being pulled out or through corrosion. I have a sure way of avoiding this…
Stop genoa sheets catching when tacking
Peter Lyle stops lines snagging on a stored spinnaker pole when tacking his Jeanneau 36i
Yachtsman abandons sinking cruiser
A solo sailor abandoned his yacht after it ran aground and began sinking, near to the harbour entrance of Ardrossan.
Tug boat owner jailed after crew man dies
A tug boat owner has been jailed after his crew member died trying to reattach a tow line in a violent storm.
Grounded cargo ship drags anchor in high winds
The grounded cargo ship Lysblink Seaways has been towed back out to sea after dragging her anchor in high winds.
Greek TPP tax ‘lawful under EU law’
The European Commission considers the Greek TPP tax to be lawful under EU law.
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
Step for an old sea dog
Our border collie, Floss, is getting on in years and finds the companionway steps on our Southerly 115 Dulcibella II too steep to manage in either direction. After considering various…
Charging a battery from an outboard motor
Peter Fildes builds a circuit to effectively charge his batteries from his outboard motor’s lighting coil
Make an outboard motor hoist
Bill Martin makes a budget crane to hoist his outboard motor from his dinghy to his boat
Clever socket for mounting tiller pilot
Robin Benjamin goes on a one-man mission to eliminate unnecessary holes, starting with mounting his tiller pilot using an antenna bracket
Antifouling – how to remember how far you’ve got
It is amazing how crew always seem to disappear when boat maintenance time comes. I always end up painting the black antifouling of my Hanse 311 on my own! If…
Marking a boot top line
It is very common on boats of all types to paint a boot-top or stripe around the waterline. At first glance this line may seem like a simple bit of…