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…
Pip Hare: I’ve not just sailed 97% of the way around the world to be broken now
It is relentless out here. Squall after squall. Multiple wind shifts. Waves coming from every direction. Just this second one wave has hit Medallia side on, smashing over the top…
Our new seadog – our puppy Chloe’s first voyage
Chloe’s first voyage was from the slip to the mooring. As always, I was more concerned about the engine stopping unexpectedly or being unable to pick up the buoy, so…
Boating with dogs – essential sailing gear for your seadog
Having the right dog sailing gear is an important part of keeping your four-legged friend happy. Any dog can be taken sailing, at least once, but some are better suited…
Sea shanties and a foiling Polynesian proa – PBO Channel Hopping Blog
There may be nothing new under the sun, but happily it’s still fun to see younger generations rediscover old things and show them to us in a new light, writes…
Best bilge pumps: electric pumps, emergency pumps and alarms
Rupert Holmes explains how electric bilge pumps work and why performance doesn't always meet expectations
Make your own bilge pump alarm
A bilge alarm is an essential piece of kit on any boat. You can buy a bilge alarm on Amazon or at any chandlery or make your own using a…
Seadogs: 10 top tips for sailing with dogs
Sailing round the world with dogs requires months of preparation and research, stacks of paperwork, extra supplies and provisions, regular vaccinations, expensive updates for your vessel, and many hours of…
Yannick Bestaven wins Vendée Globe in closest-ever finale
Yannick Bestaven, the 48 year old French skipper of Maître Coq IV, is the overall winner of the ninth edition of the Vendée Globe. Although third over the line at…
Around the world in 80 days – Dalin first over the line in Vendée Globe
After 24,300 nautical miles and more than 80 days of racing around the world, Charlie Dalin was first over the line this evening in the ninth edition of the Vendée…
Vendée Globe: Charlie Dalin (Apivia) expected at the finish line within the hour
In the closest-ever finish of the Vendée Globe solo round-the-world race, Charlie Dalin (Apivia) is expected to be first over the line off Les Sables d’Olonne at 1950 UTC. In…
How to repair a sail – video guide
Fixing a tear A big tear in the body of the sail looks dramatic but is easy to fix. Don’t use sail repair tape – PSA adhesive backed sailcloth is…
Vendée Globe on YouTube – why the women stand out from the crowd
As another International Women’s Day approaches (8 March), it’s time to check in with the Vendée women skippers on YouTube, writes Kass Schmitt. It was an atypical year, with the…
March 2021
Some restorations become the pride of a nation, while others become expensive embarassments – how does that happen? We find out, plus used boat reviews - including 9 of the…
Best boat heaters – diesel, solid fuel or warm air central heating?
Diesel fuelled heating systems Having a warm boat can significantly lengthen the sailing season, but the best boat heater for you depends on budget, the size of your boat, and…
Frantic footage of capsizing America’s Cup racer
When a 75ft vessel that can ‘sail’ or foil at double-digit speeds capsizes – it’s quite a spectacle, but is not really a laughing matter. The qualification rounds have begun…
Hunter Ranger 245 on test – a boat for our time?
Back in 2012, I went for a spin on the Hunter Channel 245 – a robust and chunky little cruiser that punched above her weight in lots of ways. Here…
Improve performance by understanding boat design
Understanding boat design can be tricky. We’re all familiar with the questions that arise when looking for a new boat. Is it the right size and does it need work?…
COVID boating guidance for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
With over 60 different rule changes from the Government since March 2020 it is hard to keep up with what is and isn’t permitted in any walk of life, let…
What kind of a person does it take to race solo round the world?
Kevin Escoffier onboard PRB was forced to abandon the vessel and take to the liferaft during the current Vendée Globe/ Jean-Marie Liot/PRB With Isabelle Joschke having retired from the Vendée…
Vendée excitement as Hare approaches Horn, Joschke retires and leaders battle final 5,000-miles
Isabelle Joschke, skipper of MACSF, was forced to retire from the Vendée Globe last night after her keel broke free of the temporary ram that had held it in place…