Outboard SOS: how to fix common engine problems; How to set up and get the most out of your chartplotter; The build of the 100cm…
Practical Boat Owner
January 2026 Issue – out on 20 November
Sailing on sunshine: how to get the most out of your solar panels; Latest advice on installing lithium batteries that every boat owner should read;…
How to build a custom boat port
Ben Russell gets busy constructing his own custom boat shed
Practical ideas from the Ocean Globe Race yacht Galiana WithSecure
Katy Stickland finds clever design features which can be adapted for cruising yachts while sailing the Swan 55, Galiana WithSecure
5 top causes of boat engine failure – and how to avoid them
Jake Kavanagh talks to Sea Start marine engineer Nick Eales about how to avoid the five major causes of an engine breakdown at sea
Guernsey boat owners revolt against ‘hefty increases’ to mooring charges
Recreational boat owners are campaigning against any future increases above inflation by the Guernsey Ports.
Heavy weather sailing techniques: how to protect your boat in storm conditions
Øyvind Bordal and Magne Klann explain the steps you need to take to protect your rig and sails when the weather turns
How to service an outboard engine: step by step
Stu Davies shares useful maintenance tips on how to keep your 2-stroke and 4-stroke outboard motors running sweetly
The Juggens manoeuvre to get you off a lee shore
Peter Kersey draws on the wisdom of an old smack sailor to get his engineless Drascombe Lugger out of trouble off a lee shore
What is inside your liferaft?
Short of time to get their liferaft professionally serviced, Andy and Julie Pag decide to carry out an inspection themselves
How to refurbish a scruffy outboard cowling
Rebecca Beck shares how she improved her outboard cowling
How to go sailing and boating if you don’t own a boat
From tall ships to small dinghies, you don't need to own a boat to go sailing. Ali Wood looks at the options, and how skippers can also find crew
Southampton Boat Show 2024: all you need to know
From boat and gear launches to legendary sailors and a chance to get on the water, here is your complete guide to the Southampton Boat Show 2024
Buoycatcher-Max: We test the next generation boat hook
Gilbert Park tests the new Buoycatcher-Max, the next generation boat hook
How to make a last-minute home-made dinghy spinnaker pole
Ben Lowings cobbles up some pole jaws to make a make-shift dinghy spinnaker pole
Mad about the boat: The echoes of Essex past
PBO columnist Dave Selby laments the decline of oral history lessons at the Maldon branch of Essex University in the Queen’s Head pub
September issue – out on 1 August 2024
How to choose the right prop, A step-by-step guide to servicing a pump impeller, 8 knots every sailor should know, How much does a free boat really cost? Tips for…
Rebuilding an outboard motor gearbox: step-by-step
Small outboard motors can often be a low priority when it comes to maintenance. David Parker found out the hard way that his trusty little engine had been ignored for…
Orca encounters on boats: what you need to know
Katy Stickland talks to marine scientists, sailors and The Cruising Association to find out the most effective way to safely sail the Atlantic Iberian Peninsula
How to repair a heavy-duty zip on a bow dodger
Tony Davies demonstrates how you can restore a broken heavy-duty zip to full working condition
Making a hull fitting to fit a depth transducer
Many makes of depth displays use a standard transducer such as those made by NASA, Airmar, B&G, Raymarine and other manufacturers worldwide. These work by transmitting and receiving a signal…
How to rig a spinnaker on a small yacht – what you need and where to fit it
If you want a spinnaker, but don’t have the necessary fittings or equipment on your boat, where do you start?