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
gear 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…
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.
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
We tested 10 wifi gateway options under £250 to find the best smartphone navigation system
With modern tablets and smartphones becoming an increasingly popular choice for electronic navigation, we investigated the core of any onboard wifi network: the multiplexer wifi gateway. This little box of…
Sailors’ Choice Awards: Nominate the gear that really works for you
Be part of Practical Boat Owner's Sailors’ Choice Awards – as we put the best sailing equipment, gear and customer service in the spotlight.
Can a lightweight jacket really keep you warm during colder months? I tested the Musto Evo Therm Primaloft to find out
Katy Stickland tests the Musto Evo Therm Primaloft jacket to see if its claims to keep your temperature regulated stand up to scrutiny
Meridian Zero Air NRG 4000 air pump: Can it inflate a dinghy in under 4 minutes?
Jake Frith testes the Meridian Zero Air NRG 4000 - a battery cordless air pump delivering up to 20psi
Satellite internet for under £400, but how good is the Starlink Mini for staying in contact offshore?
The Starlink Mini is changing how offshore sailors communicate, offering high-speed internet for a surprisingly small hardware cost, but how effective is it? Stephanie Jones speaks to the Mini Globe…
Globe 5.80 Performance Review: how the micro-yachts & gear fared after 10,000 miles of solo racing
After sailing thousands of miles offshore, the Mini Globe Race 2025 skippers share exactly how the Globe 5.80 and the gear on board stands up with Stephanie Jones.
Dometic GO hard and soft storage: how practical is it onboard a boat?
Gibert Park tests the Dometic Go storage system onboard his two motorboats to see how practical it is
Can Grunt! Boat Cleaner get rid of unsightly rust stains on my boat?
Jake Frith tries GRUNT! Boat Cleaner to see if it will remove some stubborn rust stains on his boat
Super Stainless: how good is it at cleaning stains?
Jake Frith has some rust staining on the stainless steel on his boat. Will Super Stainless remove it all?
The versatile Helly Hansen Crew Insulator Jacket 2.0 tested
Not wanting to wear foulies on the water all summer, Katy Stickland tests the mid-layer Helly Hansen Crew Insulator Jacket 2.0
The Adjustable Fender Mate for easier mooring
The Adjustable Fender Mate aims to eliminate the need for knots when setting your fenders. Katy Stickland puts it to the test
How to install a Halyard Aquadrive in a Contessa 32
A boat owner installs a Halyard Aquadrive antivibration system for smoother, quieter cruising and reduced wear on his marine engine and gearbox
Is the Helly Hansen Crew Low the best quick drying sailing shoe?
Katy Stickland dons a pair of Helly Hansen Crew Low sailing shoes and tests them in the heat of the Mediteranean and cooler climes of UK waters
Black Mamba disposable gloves tested on messy boat jobs
How many times can Jake Frith get away with wearing one pair of single use gloves? He tries the Black Mamba disposable gloves