Replacing an aging mainsheet track requires careful planning, custom track bending, and selecting the right hardware. Federico Ramírez shares how he did it
Practical Projects
How to fill a grease gun, step by step
The seemingly simple job of filling a grease gun or remote stern gland greaser causes incredible difficulties for many boat owners. When performed correctly it’s a clean and uncomplicated procedure,…
How replacing an O-ring fixed an oil leak in my hydraulic steering
For several months I’ve been having to top up the hydraulic steering system reservoir with oil. The reservoir is difficult to access, requiring a panel to be unscrewed, and once…
How one sailor used AquaTeak to create a luxury look for a once plain cockpit
David Larner improves the appearance of his yacht’s cockpit
How I built a lightweight DIY tender for my motorboat from scratch
Charles Beddingfield designs and constructs a 2m pram dinghy from plywood and epoxy to use as a DIY tender for his motorboat Tudor Rose
Laying ground tackle for swinging moorings
Sam Longley explains his yacht club’s DIY approach to setting new ground tackle for moorings on the River Blackwater
Make a big toot again by clearing seagull scum out of a boat air horn
Charles Beddingfield makes his boat air horn loud again
Making a Perspex switch panel
Tony Davies shows how he made a simple helm dashboard switch panel using 10mm black polycarbonate
How to make low-cost collision mat
Gilbert Park takes steps to prevent a sinking by making his own collision mat
How to make your own ensign flagstaff
Don Fitzroy Smith finds a new way to 'raise the flag' by building his own flagstaff for his ensign
How I used salt to add non-slip to my cabin sole
The cabin sole on my Contessa 32 has a lot of nicely varnished hardwood-faced ply joinery. But part of the sole is on a slope which doesn’t help when walking…
How one skipper fixed his fuel problems with a diesel day tank
The wind was dying with the light after a lively passage down the western Peloponnese, but the lumpy sea remained. As we sloshed around in the swell my wife, Maxi,…
How to prevent wave slap on the hull
Tony Raven uses swimming pool noodles as a cheap cure for wave slapping on the hull
Anchor windlass repairs to extend its life
José-Maria Molina extends the life of his ageing anchor winch
Make a boat step from salvaged wood and ropes
Mark Prior makes a step using £10-worth of material (which could be salvaged free)
How to make a carbon fibre spinnaker pole
Colin King saves himeself £1,500 by building his own carbon fibre spinnaker pole for his Contessa 32
How I gave my Albin Ballad’s mast and standing rigging a major upgrade
When I bought my 1973 Albin Ballad Moments of Clarity many years ago, the first job I did was to replace all of the running and standing rigging. A few…
Boat windscreen wiper motor repair: how one boat owner fixed the seized motor
Richard Stone mends his deck saloon's windscreen wiper motor
DIY automated fog horn for £30
Nick Tyler takes the guesswork out of broadcasting fog signals
Practical tip: how to use a scanner for an accurate drilling template
Like many boat owners, I often fit new bits to my boat. Some of them come with templates that make drilling holes more precise. The alternative is careful measurement of…