Boat Owners’ Antenna Buyer’s Guide, How to make a bridle for secure mooring, Designing and making your own sails, 48 launch checks for skipper and…
Practical Boat Owner
May 2026 Issue – out 12 March
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…
MOB recovery: which is the best single-point vertical lift technique for getting a crew member back on board?
Which is the best single-point vertical lift recovery method when faced with a man overboard? David Harding examines the best way for MOB recovery
Gybing a cruising chute
Knowing how to gybe with a cruising chute will give you the confidence to make the best use of it. PBO's David Harding shows you how
Sea water pump woes: How I replaced my engine’s water pump, and what pitfalls to avoid
Before we bought a yacht, I hadn’t realised that boat parts wore out so quickly, much less my engine’s sea water pump. For example, I was quite surprised to discover…
Get boat access without the burden of ownership: Your guide to the best boat share options
Have you ever thought about joining a boat share? Consider how expensive owning, or ‘keeping’ a boat in the UK might really be, and all the work that goes into…
Boat solar panels: Everything you need to know to get started
Topping up the batteries with solar power has never been easier, says Ali Wood, but how do you decide which type to buy?
Sailing alone: a checklist for solo sailors
It’s easy to forget vital bits of information when setting off on a single-handed passage. Making checklists helps, but everyone’s will be slightly different
Best boat heaters – diesel, solid fuel or warm air central heating?
There are many ways to stay warm afloat, whatever your budget. Ali Wood chooses the best boat heaters
How to prevent wave slap on the hull
Tony Raven uses swimming pool noodles as a cheap cure for wave slapping on the hull
SunCamper 31: “a highly practical river cruiser that can punch across a lake if needed”
An example of the new breed of river cruiser, the SunCamper 31 looks unlike anything most of us have seen before – but there’s a very good reason for that,…
Second life for a salmon seiner
Ben Lowings looks at the history of the 17ft salmon seiner Shambler, and how it has become a true community boat
Propeller installation: tips from the experts
Gilbert Park refurbishes a pitted starboard propeller on his Seaward 29 motor cruiser and gets some advice on how to refit it
Mast unstepping while your boat is still afloat
Genevieve Leaper shows how to lower a mast while your boat is still afloat
Anchor windlass repairs to extend its life
José-Maria Molina extends the life of his ageing anchor winch
Make a boat step from salvaged wood and ropes
Mark Prior makes a step using £10-worth of material (which could be salvaged free)
Golant Yawl: a practical modern gaffer
As the man responsible for the ubiquitous Cornish Shrimper and a host of other small gaffers, Roger Dongray is a well-known name in British boating – but what does he…
How to make a carbon fibre spinnaker pole
Colin King saves himeself £1,500 by building his own carbon fibre spinnaker pole for his Contessa 32
2-stroke outboard service in 12 steps
Stu Davies revives a 1989 2hp outboard engine
May 2026 Issue – out 12 March
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 trailer-sailer; Replacing chainplates; Sew your…
Seafarer charter and boat club holidays celebrates 30th year
Independent charter yacht and boat club holiday specialists Seafarer is celebrating its 30th anniversary year.
Poorly fitting PPE putting women in the marine industry at risk but new BS brings focus for change
The launch of a new British Standard now means that all women working in the marine industry must be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) that fits, but many women…