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;…
Practical Boat Owner
December 2025 issue – out on 23 October
From steering to rigging (and all the things we forget!) – the essential checks for the prepared skipper; Displacement theory and how it affects the…
The essential tools to keep on your boat
What tools do you really need for a boat? Say you now own a new or new-to-you boat, and you’re ready to get going. What happens if something breaks while…
Crisis in the canals as drought hits boaters
Boats have been left stranded in canals, navigation restricted, and businesses “exceptionally quiet” during peak summer months across the inland waterways of England and Wales.
Ella Hibbert: first British woman to sail the Northwest Passage solo
28-year-old Ella Hibbert is the first British woman to sail solo through the Northwest Passage during her Arctic circumnavigation
boatfolk marina group is now owned by Premier Marinas’ owner Wellcome
Premier Marinas has confirmed the acquisition of Boatfolk's 11 marinas – bringing its combined portfolio to 22 sites across the UK
Your guide to different cockpit styles, and how to best use the space
Whether you’re buying a new boat or refitting an older one, the cockpit deserves consideration; probably more than you think. While a spacious saloon or forepeak cabin is appealing, the…
How to service a two-stroke outboard motor
Join PBO's engine expert Stu Davies as he demystifies the maintenance of a classic two-stroke outboard, sharing essential tips, common problem fixes, and the surprising appeal of these lightweight workhorses.…
How to revamp and protect your engine leg
Join PBO's engine expert Stu Davies as he runs through the checks and maintenance needed to revamp and protect an outboard engine leg to keep it running in tip-top condition.…
How to re-reeve a halyard: If your in-mast halyard has broken here’s how to fix it
Steve Langton threads a new line down through a mast
Reversing a boat trailer: a quick guide
Reversing your trailer is daunting, but with practice can be satisfying. David Pugh explains the knack
Boat rudders: everything you need to know
Delivery skipper Ben Lowings examines how different popular rudder designs affect handling, and explains how to maintain them
Royal Yachting Association: what it has done for British boating
In its 150th year, Laura Hodgetts explores the Royal Yachting Association’s evolution from ‘gentlemen racers’ to a world-leading national boating body
Marine gas system maintenance
Peter Draper explains what’s required for a marine gas system to be safe and legal, and how to assess the condition of the gas system on your boat
Never stop sailing! Practical ways to make it easier as you age
Gilbert Park explains the tweaks he has made to his boat to future-proofing his time afloat
How a ‘Sécurité’ warning and a 33 hour continuous sail saved this 87-year-old solo sailor
Solo sailor owen Moorhouse built his first 11ft Vee Jay as a teenager and has enjoyed a lifetime of yacht ownership. At 97, he lives aboard Sandpiper, a 38ft Roberts…
How I replaced my boat’s shaft seal
When we were having issues with our boat’s shaft seal, every marine engineer we talked to has said that you need to realign your engine with the stern tube when…
How I started my small-boat collection with an Invicta 12
There’s only the Invicta 12 to blame for getting me into collecting small boats. New Zealand is one of the better places to go boating but I was not based…
How I pump fresh water for a galley sink
I recently wanted to fit a small Whale electric water pump into my water container to supply the galley spout of my boat here in Taupo, New Zealand. But to…
“I was on Lyme Bay harbour wall in only my soggy underpants”: how a test voyage became a crash-course in seamanship
My first test voyage onboard my boat Draken was, to say the least, quite a rude awakening. After years of dinghy sailing and kayaking, I had bought Draken, a 1969 Snapdragon…
Why the Laser 16 is a “proper trailer sailer”
At last, a proper trailer sailer, says Wendy Fitzpatrick of the Laser 16 cruising dinghy, in a review for the December 1987 issue of Practical Boat Owner
Understanding and mastering boat rigging
Your yacht’s rig remains upright thanks to the right balance of compression and deflection, as Owen Brown explains