When his drive failed near sandbanks, Bob Angell thought he could sail out of trouble... until the wind picked up
seamanship
Learning the skills of pilotage
Pilotage is a tricky yachting skill for a skipper to master, but also one of the most satisfying. James Stevens has the inside track on picking up the techniques
Masthead rig modifications for better performance
When a masthead-rigged Hunter couldn’t keep up with the Squibs in the club fleet, the owner realised that something had to be done – but what? David Harding has some…
Transatlantic rigging failure: how a professional skipper managed the emergency with a young family onboard
Broken shrouds and two young children onboard during a transatlantic crossing is the ultimate test of seamanship for Vicky Ellis
Weather helm: what is it and how do you reduce it?
Cruising instructor Ben Lowings delves into the common causes of weather helm – and looks at what can be done to control it
Is this the failsafe method for picking up a boat mooring single-handed?
Chris Hitchins demonstrates the easy and reliable method he uses for picking up swinging moorings when sailing single- or short-handed
Drying out: how to safely take the ground
Having your boat prepared to take the ground can open up new cruising opportunities - and save you cash! Ben Meakins and PBO experts share their tips for drying out
Lessons from the ARC: 24 top cruising hacks for blue-water sailing
Laura Hodgetts caught up with the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers sailors for their best blue-water sailing hacks for everything from maintenance to lifejackets to lifestyle. 1. Winch upgrade Skipper Henrik…
How one boat owner made a mooring bridle to secure his yacht
Greg Manning explains how he made a bridle to ensure his Fairey Atalanta remains safe in a storm while on a swinging mooring
Start of season boaters’ checklist
As excitement builds for the new sailing season, minimise the risk of shakedown cruise glitches and common mistakes with this handy guide.
Forgotten seamanship: How to use anchors to manoeuvre without an engine
Dick Everitt passes on a few tips about alternative ways of using your anchor
Going boating shorthanded
Gilbert Park shares how he safely gets on the water with limited crew
A stroke off the Isles of Scilly: How a medical emergency left this skipper’s wife “hanging from a wire in a near gale”
Early July 2025 found my wife, Veronica, and I sailing in our Dufour 40, Spook from Falmouth in Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly, blissfully unaware of the dramatic rescue…
MOB recovery: which is the best single-point vertical lift technique for getting a crew member back on board?
Which is the best single-point vertical lift recovery method when faced with a man overboard? David Harding examines the best way for MOB recovery
Gybing a cruising chute
Knowing how to gybe with a cruising chute will give you the confidence to make the best use of it. PBO's David Harding shows you how
Sailing alone: a checklist for solo sailors
It’s easy to forget vital bits of information when setting off on a single-handed passage. Making checklists helps, but everyone’s will be slightly different
Pete Hill on sail repair, damaged steering and two lost drogues while battling storms in the Tasman Sea
Pete Hill faced damaged steering and lost two drogues while battling extreme conditions in the Tasman Sea. Graham Cox tells his story
Why your boat crew is the most important system on board
Will Spencer explains how to choose and manage a competent and friendly crew for an enjoyable offshore passage
Practical ColRegs for cruisers
Nick and Wendy Tyler’s advice on avoiding collisions, based on their own experience
6,000 miles solo in a £1 boat: lessons learned from an Atlantic Circuit
The wind was coming on like my brother Alex had warned me it would, as I approached the north side of Carriacou island, one of the Windward Islands of the…