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…
Offshore weather forecasts: An alternative solution for receiving weatherfax information
When offshore, the ability to receive weather forecasts when there is no phone or VHF reception is crucial as it gives you the time to avoid or prepare for a…
Best satellite phones: What to look for when buying a satphone
Some, such as the Thuraya SatSleeve Plus, transform your own phone into a satellite device, while Iridium Go works with up to five smartphones using an app. Others, such as…
Raymarine RL70C troubleshooting: Our expert solves a range problem
Peter Gaskin writes: “I have a problem with the Raymarine RL70C plotter on the boat – it won’t show below three miles range. “We suspected the card and got a…
How to remove gelcoat: Our expert’s advice on sanding back your boat
Antony Cole writes: “I have 50-year-old GRP trimaran with damaged gel coat undersides. “The gelcoat was left rough and pitted by grit blasting to remove the old antifouling and in…
Best trailer sailboats: Our trailer sailing expert offers his recommendations
Paul Adamson from the Isle of Man, writes: “My wife and I are looking to buy a trailer sailboat, mainly for coastal cruising with an overnight before returning to berth.…
“Sir, your boat is on fire” – one PBO reader’s charter trip drama
Prolific Learning from Experience author Chris Mardon recalls a suspicious yacht fire in the Caribbean
Sailing short-cut to spectacular Scottish hiking spots
Norman Inglis rediscovers a love for Scotland’s west coast, one of the best locations in the world to combine sailing with hill walking
A sticky situation – Sam Llewellyn’s musings on stitch and glue construction
Stitch and glue, the bodger’s charter – PBO columnist Sam Llewellyn shares his top tips on avoiding the pitfalls of boatbuilding at home.
New South Wales sailing adventure: 8 lighthouses in 18 hours
Owen Moorhouse recalls a cruise along the coast of New South Wales and reflects on the history and landmarks of his home waters
Rescued Golden Globe contender Abhilash Tomy re-enters race
Abhilash Tomy has re-entered the 2022 Golden Globe Race following extensive rehabilitation from injuries sustained during the 2018 edition
Sailing Orkney’s remote lochs and challenging headlands
Charmian Entwistle discovers ancient ruins, remote lochs and challenging headlands on a four-week Scottish cruise from Isle of Skye to Orkney in a 42ft yacht
“My 38ft yacht was disappearing over the horizon” – a PBO reader makes chase!
Tony Preedy relives a frightening episode from a cruise in Mallorca when his Vancouver 38P, Wild Bird was unintentionally cast adrift while he dined ashore.
Theft of rare £1m lighthouse lantern prompts £5,000 reward and appeal
Crimestoppers is offering a £5,000 reward for information that leads to a stolen lighthouse lantern, one of only three in the world, being recovered
NCA renews warning of criminals targeting small boats
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has renewed an appeal to the UK maritime industry to beware of organised crime groups targeting them to obtain small boats for people smugglers.
“It’s alarming how quickly the fire grows” – Warning over camping stove use on boats
A quick brew turned into a frightening fire aboard a classic wooden boat for PBO contributor Max Liberson.
May 2022 – on sale 17th March
She’s afloat! The PBO Project Boat launches after restoration; Big Antifouling Test results; The best British-built 30-footers; ‘How we saved a dismasted yacht’; Seafarer fix and 21 pages of DIY...
How to tidy up boat electrics? Ask the experts
PBO reader John Anderson writes: “I have the mast out of my 30 year old Malo to solve an in-mast furling problem, but this has revealed that the electrical cabling…
Channel Hopping: A Green Heading go on an SUP, surf and sail tour of Europe
A Green Heading is a new YouTube channel following the travels of 30-somethings Leo Stephan (German) and Pernille Hvolgaard (Danish) aboard their 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 352. Leo is the son of…
Shackleton’s ship discovery – “most complex subsea project undertaken”
The incredible discovery of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance has made polar history. Scientists have discovered the 107-year-old wreck at the bottom of the Weddell Sea. The discovery, announced this…
Plea to Irish Sea boaters to help stop the spread of non-native marine species
When boaters and paddlers travel our coastlines and oceans, they often accidentally transport non-native marine species. By filling in this short biosecurity survey, you can help boating organisations and policy…