Casting a critical eye over the project boat’s lines, David Pugh and Ben Meakins set to work filling and fairing to make the hull smooth
practical
15. Rounding the bilges
Chine in your hands: PBO takes a turn at shaping the project boat’s bilge. David Pugh reports
14. Completing the hull skin
We’ve made great progress this month, and as a result the hull skin is now complete, save for a lot of fairing – but that’s for another month! Ben Meakins…
13. Starting on the hull skin underside
This month, the Secret’s structure is finished off with the addition of bottom stringers, bevelled chine battens and forefoot cheek pieces. Ben Meakins reports
12. Turning the hull over to start on the bottom
It could be put off no longer: the time had come to work on the bottom of our Secret 20, which meant rotating her through 180°. David Pugh reports
11. Sheer, decks and gunwales
Strong and stable: PBO’s Secret 20 is strengthened before being turned in the next step of her construction. David Pugh reports
10. Adding hull sides
With the addition of her 6mm ply hull panels, PBO’s Secret 20 starts to look less like basketwork and more like a boat. David Pugh reports
9. Deck beams and chainplates
This month’s project boat tasks include fitting laminated deck beams and reinforcing the chainplates. Ben Meakins reports
7. Scarf joints and stringers
Building a kit boat is a bit like a child’s dot-to-dot drawing. See the full set of articles: Building the Secret 20 kit boat with PBO. The framework is made…
6. Fitting the hatches
It’s time for PBO’s Secret 20 kit boat to be equipped with a beneficial set of hatches. David Pugh reports
Paint your boat like new
Professional paint finishes look stunning but can be eye-wateringly expensive. A DIY job can achieve a tough, glossy result for a fraction of the cost...
November 2018
We show you how to tackle everyday electrics: basic wiring skills, multimeters and more
A labour of love: building and designing Thea
Tom and Lorraine Owen built their 30ft motor cruiser completely from scratch, working together with phenomenal dedication. Nick Burnham went to meet them
JOB VACANCY: Marine writer opportunity
Do you love marine gear and the latest technology or are practical projects your passion? We have a vacancy for a writer working across our marine titles...
PBO Ask the Experts Live videos – now online!
Free expert advice on a range of subjects including sail trimming, effective anchoring, repairing fibreglass and diesel engine maintenance.
Solo yachtswoman Lisa Blair sets sail again on Antarctic circumnavigation quest
Solo sailor and adventurer Lisa Blair has recommenced her attempt to circumnavigate Antarctica.
Holier than thou – Dave Selby’s Mad about the Boat
Conventional thinking strongly favours the fitting of intakes and outlets in boat hulls – but some think that theory is full of holes, muses Dave Selby.
New Zealand to Fiji on a 26-footer – learning from experience
Euan Crawford experienced mixed fortunes when he and his girlfriend sailed their uninsured, un-surveyed, 30-year-old Raven 26 from New Zealand to Fiji.
Editor’s welcome to the May issue – on sale today!
Happy 50th Birthday PBO... Editor David Pugh welcomes you to the latest issue of Practical Boat Owner magazine.
Best bilge cleaners: how to clean an oily, smelly bilge
Ben Meakins gets down and dirty in the pursuance of the most effective way to clean oily, malodorous bilges