Topping up the batteries with solar power has never been easier, says Ali Wood, but how do you decide which type to buy?
Top stories
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
Best boat heaters – diesel, solid fuel or warm air central heating?
There are many ways to stay warm afloat, whatever your budget. Ali Wood chooses the best boat heaters
How to prevent wave slap on the hull
Tony Raven uses swimming pool noodles as a cheap cure for wave slapping on the hull
SunCamper 31: “a highly practical river cruiser that can punch across a lake if needed”
An example of the new breed of river cruiser, the SunCamper 31 looks unlike anything most of us have seen before – but there’s a very good reason for that,…
Second life for a salmon seiner
Ben Lowings looks at the history of the 17ft salmon seiner Shambler, and how it has become a true community boat
Propeller installation: tips from the experts
Gilbert Park refurbishes a pitted starboard propeller on his Seaward 29 motor cruiser and gets some advice on how to refit it
Mast unstepping while your boat is still afloat
Genevieve Leaper shows how to lower a mast while your boat is still afloat
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)
Golant Yawl: a practical modern gaffer
As the man responsible for the ubiquitous Cornish Shrimper and a host of other small gaffers, Roger Dongray is a well-known name in British boating – but what does he…
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
2-stroke outboard service in 12 steps
Stu Davies revives a 1989 2hp outboard engine
Seafarer charter and boat club holidays celebrates 30th year
Independent charter yacht and boat club holiday specialists Seafarer is celebrating its 30th anniversary year.
Poorly fitting PPE putting women in the marine industry at risk but new BS brings focus for change
The launch of a new British Standard now means that all women working in the marine industry must be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) that fits, but many women…
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
Growing concern for missing 75-year-old sailor David Fretwell
Devon and Cornwall Police are appealing for information about David Fretwell, whose stricken boat Green Goddess washed up in the Hayle area on 6 March 2026.
What is S-100 and how will it affect the future of electronic charts?
“S-100 is indeed a great step forward. However, it does not promise any new chart data in the areas where leisure boaters frequent", says the Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN)…
Stitelmann takes the 2025 Mini Globe Race crown
Swiss sailor Renaud Stitelmann has won the 2025 Mini Globe Race, having sailed his 19ft plywood boat around the world via the Panama Canal
Recall of hydraulic hoses on Volvo Penta D4 and D6 engines
The UK's Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued a product recall for Volvo Penta hydraulic hoses for D4 and D6 engines with DPH sterndrive