Up-to-date printed paper charts are a good bet for identifying your position – but they do have their limits, says Dick Everitt
Seamanship
How to reef – expert advice from PBO Sail Clinic
How do you ensure an efficient reef with a roller-reefing headsail and slab-reefing mainsail? David Harding explains
Nav in a nutshell: Navigate with radar
Dick Everitt gives us a clear picture of the advantages to be gained from using radar to check our navigation
Using an emergency tiller
How to make sure your emergency tiller is up to the job should your wheel steering fail at sea
How to steer a yacht without a rudder: Jury steering methods tested
How would you cope if your boat lost its steering at sea? PBO tries a variety of jury steering fixes to see how well they help to regain control
Is it safe to use a tether?
Perceived wisdom is that if you fall overboard, staying tethered to the boat will keep you safe. But is that the case? PBO’s test team conduct some trials… with sobering…
How to tow alongside
Towing another boat in the confines of a harbour means that you'll need to set up a tow alongside. Here's how...
How to set up an astern tow at sea
We examine the techniques of towing and setting up an astern tow at sea, trying out the textbook theories in practice
How to master fore and aft trot moorings
Fore-and-aft trot moorings are cheaper than marinas and have many advantages - but they can be tricky to pick up. Here's how...
Shortening sail single handed
In Pete Goss’ classic account of his Vendée Globe campaign, Close to the Wind, he tells the tale of a boat show encounter with a member of the public who…
Troubleshooting your telltales
Telltales: how they work, how to use them to steer a close-hauled course and how to interpret their behaviour
Getting to grips with gaff
With modern designs in the classic style becoming ever more popular, David Harding offers some tips on getting the best from a gaffer
Nav in a nutshell: Navigating at night
There’s no need to be in the dark if your preparation is thorough and easy to understand, says Dick Everitt
Nav in a Nutshell: Lighthouse characteristics on charts
Dick Everitt helps illuminate our understanding of lighthouse characteristics on charts, their dipping distances and loom...
Nav in a Nutshell: Navigate by ‘feel’ using an echo sounder
The ‘ping’ is king: You can navigate by ‘feel’ over the seabed in adverse conditions by using an echo sounder – here’s how to do it...
Nav in a Nutshell: What is a transit and how are they used in navigation
Lining up a pair of appropriate land features or navigation marks can help keep you safe, as Dick Everitt explains
Nav in a Nutshell: Clearing bearings
In the first of his series on back-to-basics navigation Dick Everitt explains how to use a few simple lines to keep you safe
5 Hand-bearing pilotage tips
An aide-memoire to using a handbearing compass, transits and bearings for quick and easy coastal pilotage
How to deal with riding turns on a winch
Riding turns always occur at the worst possible moment - here's how to remove a riding turn and avoid them in the first place
Sculling over the stern
How to scull over the stern: Learn to propel your dinghy using a traditional skill that's still relevant today