Gilbert Park takes steps to prevent a sinking by making his own collision mat
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Buoycatcher Boat Crook Review: Is This The Ultimate Mooring Tool?
If you find mooring against high walls or picking up tricky loops stressful, this clever stainless steel tool might change everything.
Have your say on the future of nautical paper charts
The UK Hydrographic Office has developed a more efficient way to print nautical paper charts on demand, using electronic chart data. How will it affect you?
The will to survive: how one sailor spent two hours lost at sea without a lifejacket before rescue
Overboard without a lifejacket in the dark Irish Sea, Prue Nash had to tread water for two hours before she was rescued. But what was she really thinking as her…
Boat launching and recovery without the drama
Launching a boat off a trailer should be a piece of cake, but tricky slipways can easily turn your dream day out into a disaster. Ben Meakins pulls on a…
Fair winds to George Taylor – the co-founder who put the ‘practical’ in PBO
George Taylor, co-founder, assistant editor and later editor of Practical Boat Owner magazine has passed away in his 90th year.
UK volunteer coastguard under threat
Thousands of coastguard rescue officers will no longer be paid for emergency call outs or training exercises following a Maritime and Coastguard Agency decision
The Grey Boat: A masterclass in DIY dinghy design
Sometimes the most inspiring craft can come in modest forms. Clive Marsh looks at The Grey Boat
Chat 18: the economical camper cruising cat that can be launched in 15 minutes
Designed for simple home-building in plywood, the Chat 18 is a versatile and economical daysailer-cum-camper cruising cat. David Harding gets on board
Where to fit a VHF AIS antenna
Jake Kavanagh gets expert advice about the best place to fit antennas, the pros and cons of splitters, plus emergency options
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 built my dream minimalist trailer-sailer to navigate the Canadian wilderness
Herb McLeod explains how he designed and built his flat-bottomed 3.6m Omakayas
Entries open for the YJA 2026 Young Journalist of the Year Award
Journalists, photographers, videographers, social media reporters, vloggers and bloggers aged 30 and under are being invited to submit their entries for the 2026 Young Journalist of the Year Award
Sigma 41: Is This Forgotten 1980s Cruiser Actually the Most Seaworthy Boat Ever Made?
If you are looking for a fast, capable, go-anywhere cruiser of around 40ft (12m), the Sigma 41 should be a serious contender, says David Harding
Join the Wooden Boat Stage community at the Southampton International Boat Show
Following a successful debut year in 2025, an expanded Wooden Boat Stage will be returning to the Southampton International Boat Show (SIBS) from 18 to 27 September 2026.
DIY Guide to Overhauling and Reassembling your Boat’s Furler
With a likely bill of £500 to have his forestay replaced, Stu Davies decides to tackle the job himself – and gets carried away overhauling the mast and furler
Fire up the engine or just enjoy sailing in light wind? Which side of the debate are you on?
Don’t just fire up the engine on a light airs day – make the best of the gentle sailing conditions, says John Simpson
How to secure and tow an inflatable tender
Kerry Pears and husband John have rescued many an errant tender in their years afloat, so Kerry has advice to prevent yours from going walkabout
This boatbuilder-made boat camping app wants to get you on the water
The marine world has one question on the tip of its tongue: Why aren’t young people getting into boating? Gaia Brojanigo, boatbuilder, content creator, now app founder knows the usual…
Is the upgraded Orca Navigation System better than a traditional chartplotter? We test it over 450 miles to find out
Justin Morton puts the latest Orca display and software to the test over 450 miles to see if it performs better than a traditional chartplotter



















