110 ways to save money on your boating costs, from mooring and maintenance to rigging and sails! PLUS 12 anchor designs to consider, how to…
Practical Boat Owner
June issue – out 11 April
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…
Savings on Volvo Penta engine spares
When I bought Sacha, my Beneteau Oceanis 381, five years ago I changed the cam belt on the engine. It is a Volvo Penta MD22L B, basically a Perkins Prima…
Make an outboard motor overheat alarm from a digital thermometer
The outboard on my Hunter Liberty is located in a well in the cockpit from where it is difficult to see the cooling water tell-tale. On my first trip this…
Retrieving lost halyards
James Boyce uses a crocodile clip to retrieve a lost halyard
What to do when you run aground
Whether you go to sea under power or sail, you'll almost certainly find yourself aground at some point in your on-water career. It’s one of the hazards of the sport…
Lifejacket Lights on test
When was the last time you gave a second thought to your lifejacket light? They sit inside your packed lifejacket, largely neglected, and you hope they’ll work when you need…
ACR Firefly 3 SOLAS Strobe light
These two models from ACR, the ACR Firefly 3 SOLAS and the ACR Firefly 3 Waterbug are identical except that the Waterbug is also water-activated. Both take 2xAA batteries, and you can…
ACR C-Strobe lifejacket light
This is ACR’s strobe version of the C-Lite. It takes 2xAA batteries, and is activated with a twist of the strobe housing. Like the C-Lite, it can be mounted either…
ACR C-Light lifejacket light
This was the cheapest and simplest design we tested. It takes 2xAA batteries and comes with two mounting options – either via a clip onto the oral inflation tube or…
UML SeaFlash lifejacket light
These two lifejacket lights from United Moulders are identical in appearance and price: the difference is that one offers a long flash while the UML SeaFlash Multi offers a range…
ISAF to challenge IPC decision on Paralympic Games programme
The International Paralympic Committee decision not to include Paralympic sailing on the Tokyo 2020 Games programme has shocked the international sailing community.
Appeal for missing boat ‘Norfolk Girl’
A small blue and white motor boat called Norfolk Girl has gone missing off Cromer after making a mayday distress call.
PBO Project Boat at the Poole Harbour Boat Show
A host of exhibitors are already confirmed for the Poole Harbour Boat Show 2015... including Practical Boat Owner magazine.
Turkish visas put cruisers off
Boat owners cruising in Turkish waters are facing more difficulties because a new law regarding Residence Permits is confusing everyone concerned.
ISAF speaks out about Paralympic sailing 2020 decision
ISAF vows to address any items identified by the IPC in a bid to reinstate sailing back into the Paralympic Games as soon as possible.
AquaSpec AQ40L lifejacket light
This is Ocean Safety’s latest LED light version of their classic AQ40 incandescent bulb. While not as bright as the cold-tinted Crewsaver light we tested, it was nonetheless highly visible.…
Spinlock Pylon Lifejacket Light
The Spinlock Pylon lifejacket light is a departure from the norm – a flashing LED (just under a second per flash) atop a semi-flexible post. It attaches by Velcro around…
Crewsaver Lifejacket Light
The Crewsaver lifejacket light mounts via a PVC loop around the base of the inflation tube. Its domed LED light was visible for about 270° when viewed from deck level,…
500+ early-bird entries for Round the Island Race
More than 500 boats have so far signed up for the Round the Island Race (RTIR) 2015.
Call grows for sailing to be reinstated at 2020 Paralympic Games
More than 10,700 people have signed a petition calling for sailing to be reinstated as a sport in the 2020 Paralympic Games.
Yachtsman dies after falling overboard
A 72-year-old man has died after falling from his yacht just a few miles north of Steep Holm Island.