Washing and reproofing technical clothing, oilskins and footwear at home is now vital, Gill Marine’s gear guru Matt Clark says, to restore waterproofing. But fortunately, it’s easier than ever…
gear
Love me tender: how a liveaboard crew improved their PVC dinghy for adventure
Richard Thomson fitted out his new dinghy with old spares and items found while beachcombing to make it fit for liveaboard life
Searching for the best electric outboard for your tender? We put the 6.7kg ePropulsion eLite through a full week of cruising tests
David Harding tests the quiet and light ePropulsion eLite electric outboard
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
‘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
Buyers Guide: the best marine antennas for your boat
When considering whether you should fit a splitter or not, to enable your AIS to share the same aerial as your VHF radio, antenna expert James Turner emphatically advises: “If…
Charter to tackle sports clothing impact
Overproduction, underuse and the disposal difficulty of sports clothing, including the technical challenge of marine garments, are to be tackled in the UK.
Musto EVO Crew jacket: how breathable and waterproof is it while day sailing and walking?
The Musto EVO Crew waterproof jacket is designed for day sailing and every day use. Katy Stickland puts it to the test while sailing and walking
Buoycatcher Boat Crook Review: Is This The Ultimate Mooring Tool?
If you find mooring against high walls or picking up tricky loops stressful, this clever stainless steel tool might change everything.
Where to fit a VHF AIS antenna
Jake Kavanagh gets expert advice about the best place to fit antennas, the pros and cons of splitters, plus emergency options
Is the upgraded Orca Navigation System better than a traditional chartplotter? We test it over 450 miles to find out
Justin Morton puts the latest Orca display and software to the test over 450 miles to see if it performs better than a traditional chartplotter
Animated weather, tides and currents now available on Orca
UK Met Office forecast data is now available free to all Orca users, with animated weather, tides and currents overlaid directly onto charts
Boat improvements that won’t cost the earth
Ali Wood compiles a list of easy ideas to make life better on board
Yacht club using AI community watch system to combat boat crime
Sailing club members are using MoorMesh – an AI-boosted community watch system to tackle thieves targeting yachts on remote moorings
Why do boaters need to buy Class M compliant Man Overboard (MOB) devices?
Ofcom plans to phase out legacy man-overboard (MOB) automatic identification system (AIS) devices - after 2030, boaters need to upgrade to Class M compliant equipment.
Boat solar panels: Everything you need to know to get started
Topping up the batteries with solar power has never been easier, says Ali Wood, but how do you decide which type to buy?
Best boat heaters – diesel, solid fuel or warm air central heating?
There are many ways to stay warm afloat, whatever your budget. Ali Wood chooses the best boat heaters
Get the most out of your chartplotter with these setup tips
How often do you stop and really sit down with your chartplotter? Navigators are necessarily tunnel visioned once under way: they’re only interested in where they are and where they…
Solutions to descale pipes on your boat
Uric scale can reduce the diameter of sea-toilet hosepipes by half within five years: Richard Hare tests some solutions
Smoother to handle and easier to splice: the Marlow Excel Fusion+ rope
The Marlow Excel Fusion+ rope is made using a Dyneema D12 SK78 pre-stretched core for extra strength. It's designed to be easier to splice too.