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…
Sailing and boating participation in the UK are in decline
"Sailing and boating in the UK are at a crossroads,” says Nick Scott, director of sport for the Royal Yachting Association. "Participation is standing still, or starting to fall.”
Understanding boat displacement & why it matters
How well do you feel like you understand boat displacement? For most sailors, it’s an overlooked topic. When I returned to marine journalism after a spell working on other magazines,…
Classic boat restoration: uncertain future for the Garlandstone, the last West Country trading ketch
The Garlandstone is one of the last wooden trading vessels of its type. HE Ross questions why she sits derelict while sister ships thrive as charter vessels, and the future…
Tools for tight spaces on a boat
Ben Meakins contorts himself terribly in a bid to demonstrate which tools work best when working on your boat in confined conditions
Boaters beware: RYA SafeTrx vessel tracking safety app will soon close
RYA SafeTrx app - the vessel tracking, safety and communications platform - is to be discontinued at the end of this month, from 31 December.
Protect your outboard engine from theft with the innovative Monimoto 9 GPS tracker
The thieves came in the middle of the night. They breached a razor-wired fence, cut off the electricity, disabled the CCTV, and got away with 10 outboard engines, leaving the…
From damp cushions to cosy home: The simple insulation job that changed life on our boat
Mark and Nicky Green decided to insulate their Cobra 850 themselves, and found it was the key to their long-term dream of living aboard
Skipper dies after being wound round his boat’s faulty electric winch
The skipper of the Mollie died after becoming entangled around the electric winch drum, an MAIB investigation has concluded
‘We were sinking, mastless, and adrift’: The crucial lessons learned from my shakedown sail
Paul Hayes is shaken by a shakedown sail in the Bristol Channel when his junk-rigged Coromandel springs a leak, loses its mast and suffers a snarled prop
The simple mooring mistake that can chafe through your rope in 20 minutes
By following a few simple mooring guidelines, you can avoid the common pitfalls and make the process of securing your boat easier and more effective. Michael Collings shows you how
Can you make zinc anodes from car wheel weights?
Can zinc anodes be made using old melted down car tyre balance weights? Vyv Cox has the answer
YJA Young Journalist of the Year 2025 named
The Yachting Journalists' Association (YJA) has announced the winner of the 2025 Young Journalist of the Year Award and has unveiled its new mentoring scheme
Insects to rats: Practical tips and ingenious tricks to bug-proof your boat
Infestations of insects and other unwanted visitors like rats are an ever present risk, especially in warmer climates. Rupert Holmes shares how to keep them at bay
200 miles offshore with no rudder: How four sailors built a jury rudder from cabin doors
Stranded 200 miles offshore in big seas without a rudder is every sailor’s nightmare. The crew of Quokka found a solution and sailed to safety, reports Louay Habib
The 40th anniversary Atlantic Rally for Cruisers ARC 2025 fleet set sail
Sunshine and light winds made for a gentle start as the 145-strong ARC 2025 fleet left Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for a 2,700-mile transatlantic voyage.
Why the collapse of a critical Atlantic current would impact sailors
The collapse of a critical Atlantic current can no longer be considered a low-likelihood event, a study has concluded.
Tofinou 7: a French tradition
With her centreboard, big cockpit and inboard engine, the classic-lined Tofinou 7 is a stylish and versatile day-sailer. David Harding reports
Cornish Crabber 12: the dinghy that combines gunter rig tradition with surprising stability and space
Dinghy design is a complex balancing act, but the Cornish Crabber 12 manages to be roomy, stable, and fun to sail for all ages. David Harding puts it to the
Engine coolant leak: how to make a temporary fix
A persistent engine coolant leak in a Volvo Penta 2040 was eventually traced to a source most sailors overlook. Vyv Cox share how he diagnosed the problem and made a
How to replace your running rigging: The essential DIY guide for older cruising yachts
Replacing old, tired ropes is a critical job for any sailboat owner. Follow this step-by-step process for a full running rigging overhaul.