In our Maxi 84 boat survey, Ben Sutcliffe-Davies concluded that the antifouling needed to come off and whilst the keel joint was nice and tight there was a lot of…
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Book review: The Making of Swallows and Amazons
I came across The Making of Swallows and Amazons by sheer chance not long after I had watched the original film ‘Swallows and Amazons’ on TV and was instantly intrigued.…
Which paint for antifouling a bronze bracket? Ask the experts
Maureen Owens from Gosport asks: “The bronze prop shaft bracket on my boat regularly seems to foul up but I’m unsure what to use to coat it with antifouling. “Am…
Best inflatable kayaks for families and beginners
Inflatable kayaks are the ultimate way to have fun with family and friends. No boating experience needed, no faffing around with roof-racks. Just pump and go. So when Decathlon launched…
Boat food ideas: Top tips to transform your meals on board
Seeking to make life on board more like that at home, by maximising comfort and convenience is understandable – as humans we’ve been doing that ever since we started creating…
Types of seal and the best places to spot them from your boat in the UK
‘When angels fell, some fell on the land, some on the sea. The former are the faeries and the latter were often said to be the seals.’ While this old…
We pushed this budget paddleboard right up to its weight limit: Bestway SUP review
I recently wanted to try an inflatable stand up paddleboard (SUP) for use as a tender to get to my boat when she’s out on the mooring. I’ve done this…
Cheap antifouling paint? Manufacturers explain how to coat your boat on a budget
What’s your most economical antifouling paint? The lower the level of fouling you’re up against, the cheaper the antifouling paint is likely to be. For low to medium fouling conditions,…
Do I need to re-apply antifouling after a long lay-up? Ask the experts
PBO reader Ian Rice asks: “Do I need a barrier or primer coat before reapplying the same make and type of antifouling? “For many years I’ve used International 350 self-polishing…
Best dinghy sailing gear for cold weather: Sealskinz accessories put to the test
I was first introduced to Sealskinz when I borrowed some socks for a winter dinghy course. The Beast from the East had brought freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, and I…
Laser Tools launches new cordless soldering iron
I’ve never really got on with gas soldering irons, which means I still use 240V models when on board. They’re inexpensive and are easy to replace if necessary, but connecting…
Anchoring a boat: How to hold firm on a yacht without a windlass
Like many boats of her size and age, and indeed a number of larger and more recent craft, Ammos has no windlass. Most Discovery 3000s now have electric anchor windlasses,…
Best changing robe you can wear as a coat
A changing robe is the cold water swimmer’s best friend. Not only do you have a portable changing room but you get a hug with it! It makes the difference…
Tracking open water swimming – Garmin Vivoactive 4s
Tracking open water swimming with a smart watch Being a cold water swimmer with an aversion to chlorinated pools, I had to do a bit of a workaround to test…
Best boat cooker: 10 alternative options for gas-free cooking
Gas cookers used to be the standard choice on almost every boat, but there are good reasons why they are not necessarily the best boat cooker. The dangers of fire…
What are the different types of seacock and when should I replace them?
Seacocks – the small valves on the boat’s hull which allow water to flow through – are one of the most important fittings on the whole boat. Seacocks are used…
Best reusable water bottle for adventure sports and sailing
If you asked me a year ago if I’d spend £25 on a water bottle for adventure sports, I’d say absolutely not! Now, having used my Red Original stainless steel…
SSB radio explained: The budget rival to satellite phone connectivity
These days it’s relatively easy to maintain phone contact almost anywhere in the world – but to do so from a boat utilising a satellite phone is expensive. Radio amateurs,…
Garmin inReach Mini 2: Pocket satellite messenger updated for 2022
Garmin’s inReach Mini 2 pocket size satellite messaging device has been upgraded with an improved user interface and longer battery life. More functionality can be accessed directly on the device,…
Which electric outboard is best for a 17ft sailboat? Ask the experts
Philip Hodson of Newmarket, Suffolk writes: “For years I have been powering my 17ft, 1972 Lysander yacht Maywing with a stalwart British Seagull 6hp Kingfisher outboard motor. “But now, having…