59 low cost upgrades to enhance your boat; How to reduce weather helm; Boat repairs in a Force 9 storm; Designing and building your own…
Practical Boat Owner
April 2026 issue – out 12 February
Sailmaker tips for getting new life out of old sails; NMEA wifi gateways tested; Wayfarer Weekended on test; Cruising hacks from liveaboard sailors; Solo skipper’s…
Make your own fids for splicing
Tony Nield makes his own fids from copper pipe and the cork from a bottle of port
How to watch the ACWS Portsmouth from the water
Today marks 100 days until the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth 2016.
How to repair big holes in GRP boats
Even wrecks can be rescued! Damaged boats can often be bought for a song and then successfully repaired – but it’s not a job for the faint-hearted. Jake Kavanagh explains…
Replacing a broken screw in wood
Shipwright Alan Campbell passes on a useful tip to help deal with a broken screw
Emergency liferaft did not inflate when fishermen abandoned boat
A fisherman who survived the sinking of a fishing boat has told how the crew’s liferaft did not inflate when their boat began taking on water, off the Western Isles,…
Solo sailor swam ashore after catamaran capsize
After capsizing the sailor quickly became exhausted swimming to the beach and was pulled clear from the waves by members of the public.
Make a boom tent for your cockpit
Bob Goode shows how you can increase your accommodation by making a custom boom tent
60mph winds warning for SW coast of England
Strong winds of up to 60mph will coincide with high spring tides on Sunday, leading to large waves and spray affecting some coastal areas
Flare amnesty at Beaulieu Boatjumble – and much more!
A flare amnesty will be held at Beaulieu Boatjumble when the largest outdoor sale of maritime items in Europe returns on Sunday 24 April.
Age UK ‘Silver Sailing’ bid to get over 50s on the water
Anyone aged 50+ of all abilities and experience is invited to get involved in subsidised sailing at Draycote Water Sailing Club
Seaplane code of practice for Kent rivers
Peel Ports has published a Seaplane Operations Code of Practice for the Medway and Swale rivers in Kent.
Plymouth mooring fee price rise reduced and postponed
A ‘huge hike’ in mooring fees has been postponed and reduced following negotiations between sailing clubs and mooring representatives and Plymouth City Council
Electric vehicle charging points installed at South Coast marina
The charge points at Deacons Marina are designed to allow boat owners to plug in their electric vehicle, go boating and return to them fully charged.
Blog 1: Marlin’s Mission preparations begin!
Dave Selby finds out how much work he has to do to prepare his Sailfish 18 Marlin for their forthcoming 300-mile voyage.
Tributes paid to Clipper Race casualty Sarah Young
Clipper Race teams united across the Pacific Ocean with a minute’s silence and ceremonies to pay their respects to Sarah Young, who was buried at sea
Second Briton dies in Clipper Round the World Race
The death of businesswoman Sarah Young follows that of London paramedic Andrew Ashman, who was knocked unconscious in September on board the same yacht.
Premier Marinas acquires Noss Marina on the River Dart
Premier Marinas Limited has today completed the purchase of Noss Marina from the administrators Duff and Phelps.
Two cruisers aground in 24 hours in Ireland’s Wood Shoal area
The incidents have prompted an RNLI warning for mariners in the area to use caution and listen take advice on where there are submerged rocks.
Marine theft initiative launches at Salcombe
A new marine initiative has launched at Salcombe Harbour, south Devon, to encourage as many boat owners as possible to mark their equipment.
Designs of Ed Dubois
Ed Dubois was a good friend of PBO contributor Peter K Poland and this was probably the last and most up-to-date profile on him.