Sir Robin Knox-Johnston on the COLREG, single-handing and more; Boat building myths busted; 10 pilotage mistakes to avoid; Celebrating the Jester Challenge at 20; Spotlight…
Practical Boat Owner
Summer 2026 – out on 4 June
The pros and cons of dinghies for downsizing; Stop leaks – tips for every sailor; How to set storm trysails; Antifoul like a pro; Ditch…
Careening a deep-fin keel yacht: Why I deliberately ran my boat aground
Friso Hylkema puts theories to the test when careening his 1978 Standfast 40s while cruising in Africa
Varianta 37: a boat that goes back to basics
Can a completely stripped-back 37-foot budget yacht deliver the pure sailing performance modern cruisers actually want? From the PBO archive, David Harding sails the Varianta 37 in the Solent to…
Biocide-free boat antifouling paint ‘works best’
An independent study on seven types of leisure boat antifouling paint has found that biocide-free silicone paint worked best, and a paint marketed as environmentally friendly was ‘extremely toxic’.
Westerly at 60: the largest owners’ association in the world
As the Westerly Owners’ Association marks its 60th anniversary, Laura Hodgetts explores the history of these beloved GRP classics
Dinghy launching tips from a prolific small boat owner
Keep a very long rope handy and, if launching single-handed, find a bystander to help... preferably one without a Rottweiler, advises Clive Marsh
How to gybe safely
Cruising instructor Ben Lowings explains how to gybe safely and the techniques used when dealing with different sail types
Painting over varnished wood: Is it ever OK?
Mark Prior commits the ‘cardinal sin’ of painting over varnished wood aboard his 1988 Moody 376 – and is delighted with the results
Boat launches announced for Southampton Boat Show 2026
Cockwells, Dragonfly, Saffier, Najad and Highfield will be among the boatbuilders launching boats at this year's Southampton Boat Show
Racing dinghies vs motorboats: Who really has right of way?
Based on experience, Gilbert Park ponders what every motorboat owner should consider when sharing the water with dinghy racers
Does the Opinel No 9 Ocean Knife deserve a place onboard your boat? We put it to the test to find out
Choosing a dependable sailing knife means evaluating how features like marlin spikes and shackle keys perform. John Stickland puts the Opinel No 9 Ocean Knife to the test
How to use canal locks: one skipper shares his tips after a trip across France
Following a trip across France via the Canal Latéral à la Garonne and the Canal du Midi, Richard Hare shares his experience of how to tackle locks and the etiquette…
Sailing Valent: One cruising family’s tumultuous love affair with their 30-year-old Oyster bluewater cruiser
The minute you ring her doorbell it’s clear that Valent is a special boat. Yes, doorbell. Not your average ding-dong, but a catchy sea shanty that, like its owner Will…
How to boom out a jib safely
Ben Meakins explains how you can eliminate danger while poling out the jib
‘Like walking on marshmallow!’ Testing the XTRATUF + Finisterre Ankle Deck Boots on the water and while walking in Norway
XTRATUF + Finisterre Ankle Deck Boots are the midway option when it is too hot for full-length boots but chilly for deck shoes. Katy Stickland tests them
Volunteer coastguard ‘win’ as pay cut plan paused
Coastguard Rescue Officers across the United Kingdom are celebrating 'a huge win' in their campaign to stop their pay being cut.
How to pack a spinnaker in 9 steps
If a spinnaker goes up twisted, or with the halyard attached to a clew instead of the head, you can be in trouble. So packing the kite properly is vital.…
Renewed call for alcohol limits for leisure boaters
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is calling for drink-drive limits for non-professional mariners, after a double fatality.
Bermudan vs gaff rigs: Which rig setup wins for coastal cruising?
How better to compare the handling and performance of Bermudan and gaff rigs than on two boats that use the same hull? PBO’s David Harding did exactly that
Sailors’ Choice Awards: Vote for the best marine equipment and services
The finalists of the Sailors’ Choice Awards have been announced – vote for your favourite
When a fouled prop leads to saildrive failure (and the costly solution)
Alan Weavers recalls experiencing a fouled prop, a lifeboat tow, and saildrive failure aboard his Dufour