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…
Practical Boat Owner
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…
Pete Hill on sail repair, damaged steering and two lost drogues while battling storms in the Tasman Sea
Pete Hill faced damaged steering and lost two drogues while battling extreme conditions in the Tasman Sea. Graham Cox tells his story
Growing concern for missing 75-year-old sailor David Fretwell
Devon and Cornwall Police are appealing for information about David Fretwell, whose stricken boat Green Goddess washed up in the Hayle area on 6 March 2026.
What is S-100 and how will it affect the future of electronic charts?
“S-100 is indeed a great step forward. However, it does not promise any new chart data in the areas where leisure boaters frequent", says the Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN)…
Stitelmann takes the 2025 Mini Globe Race crown
Swiss sailor Renaud Stitelmann has won the 2025 Mini Globe Race, having sailed his 19ft plywood boat around the world via the Panama Canal
Recall of hydraulic hoses on Volvo Penta D4 and D6 engines
The UK's Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued a product recall for Volvo Penta hydraulic hoses for D4 and D6 engines with DPH sterndrive
Boat electrics for beginners
Engineer Chris Mardon demystifies onboard electrics and explains how you can troubleshoot electrical systems
Why your boat crew is the most important system on board
Will Spencer explains how to choose and manage a competent and friendly crew for an enjoyable offshore passage
GNSS-enabled electronic devices have ‘cyber-security vulnerability’
Sailors are being warned of the threat of spoofing or jamming of electronic kit, such as Man Overboard (MOB) devices and chartplotters, which have Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) functionality.
Your guide to the outboard engine: troubleshooting common problems
Whether it be a small outboard engine to drive our dinghy or a bigger one to drive our fast ‘toys’, we all have one. But before we look at how…
Practical ColRegs for cruisers
Nick and Wendy Tyler’s advice on avoiding collisions, based on their own experience
Get set for the season: Keep safety in mind to maximise your fun
With spring on the way, now’s the time to get yourself, your craft and your crew season-ready and refresh your skills. Whether you’re an experienced cruiser or a relative newcomer…
How to revive your boat canopy
If your boat canopy has suffered from sun bleaching, ripped windows, worn stitching or fabric tears, don’t write it off. Jake Kavanagh investigates some life-extending fixes
Paint your propeller like a pro
Practical boat owners who want to paint the propeller of their boat like a professional can do just that with an application of International Propeller Primer. Read on for simple…
Is electrically bonding seacocks a good idea?
Should you be electrically bonding seacocks on your boat? Vyv Cox has this advice



















