I first saw a cradle boat at a wooden-boat show years ago, and thought to myself: ‘When I have kids, I’ll build one of these’. Fast forward a decade, and…
In the workshop
How to make a heavy duty boathook
As the owner of a Moody 29 with a swinging mooring on the River Cleddau, I sometimes found wind and tide tested my extending aluminium boat hook. Despite much searching…
Make your own drawstring kit bag without metal eyelets – US Army style
A ‘ditty’ bag was traditionally used by sailors for their personal items aboard ship. It was smaller and a bit fancier than a basic sea bag – the classic nautical…
Twin galley sink won’t drain – what do I do?
During our first season with the boat, domestic harmony was somewhat marred by a problem with the sink drain. We have a double sink and every time we pulled the…
How to fix the spindle on a Portland Plotter
In a mad fit of inspiration, I decided that after 50 years of cruising I needed to take my Yachtmaster offshore exam. So out came the Portland plotter in earnest.…
How to make your own cockpit awning as a DIY practical project
We needed more shade on Aderyn Glas, our Moody Eclipse 33 we keep in the Ionian, and our small boom tent was not up to the job. It was time…
How to make your own sprayhood or bimini as a DIY project
Sun, sea and general weathering had degraded the stitching, attachment points and external canvas work on Aderyn Glas, our Moody Eclipse 33. It was time to replace it all: sprayhood,…
How to make a customised plywood-epoxy box – no screws or nails
On any boat, particularly smaller craft, the stowage of more delicate objects is always a challenge and for expensive items some sort of protective casing is required. Metal cases (when…
Seized outboard engine – how to bring a Mariner 2hp back to life
The trouble began when I bought a rowing dinghy to use as a tender instead of a borrowed sailing club dinghy. Our trusty 1980s vintage Mariner 2hp outboard engine hadn’t…
Make your own impeller extractor – two DIY ideas that save money
John Cowan modified an automotive tool for his boat I had a problem removing my seawater impeller recently – the essential, delicate, flexible plastic paddlewheel that draws seawater up into…
How to restore a manual windlass as a DIY practical project
Part of PBO’s DIY from Home series: browse all related ‘in the workshop’ articles here I don’t object to the luxury of an electric windlass on principle, but it didn’t…
How to splice your own V-Bridle with Jimmy Green Marine *promotional post*
A V-bridle is a very secure way of spreading the load on the bow or stern of a boat for towing or mooring or slowing down in heavy seas. V-bridles…
Woodworking tools – a DIY boat owner’s guide to getting a professional finish
It’s not difficult to achieve a professional finish using woodworking machines and there are bargains to be had every day on ebay and other buying and selling forums. But do…
How to buy an old boat as a project – DIY yacht restoration advice
Growing up sailing on the East Coast it’s fair to say that I caught the bug pretty early on. Family sailing on my father’s yachts and starting in dinghies from…
High and dry: How to lay up your boat for winter storage at home
When you start looking at cranes on eBay to help you store more boats on your property, it might be time to get help. Or maybe that’s not such a…
Build your own Western skiff – part 5: launch day at last
What a difference five months makes. It was the end of January in Build your own Western Skiff – Part 1 when the revamped Western Skiff kit was delivered by…
Build your own Western skiff – part 4: Finishing touches
It was always going to be a tall order: trying to turn a ‘quick ‘n’ dirty’ epoxy ply kit into a beautifully crafted family heirloom. Not quite as difficult as…
Build your own Western Skiff – part 3: Interior fitting and finish
The filleting on the inside took much, much longer than expected,” said a slightly weary-looking Jeremy Butler as he described the latest progress on building his 14ft Western Skiff. In…
Build your own Western Skiff – Part 2: Sheathing and filleting the hull
Boatbuilding can be a lonely business, especially if you’re stuck on your own in a cold garage trying to figure out how to hang your garboards. Download your own set…
Build your own Western Skiff – part 1: the first steps
Finally, after months of planning and discussion, the moment of truth had arrived: the first Western Skiff MkII kit, put together by Jordan Boats, was being delivered to its first…