Spinnakers and cruising chutes can make downwind sailing fun and faster – as long as you don’t let them take over. David Harding offers some tips on safe handling
Top stories
Sailing through a thunderstorm at Portland Bill: How I survived a solo knockdown
David Edgar experiences a knockdown on a fraught solo sail round Portland Bill as a gale gathers strength
Lying ahull or heaving to? Which is best for heavy weather?
Experienced ocean sailor Tim Cassidy advocates lying to the wind with no sail set in heavy weather, but stresses the importance of hull shape
Can I use composite wood for boat repairs?
PBO reader Colin Doyle needs to make repairs to his cabin sole. Is using composite wood a good idea? Boat builder and finisher Lyndon March has the answer
Yarmouth 22: a long-keeler which balances tradition and fractional rig performance
With her modern fractional rig and blister coachroof, the Yarmouth 22 is a long-keeler with a difference. David Harding reports
Fusion BB10 Black Box radio: DIY installation on a boat
Gilbert Park shows how he fitted an audio system controlled from his chartplotter and smartphone while underway
Slab reefing: Guide to sail shape & preventing sail damage
David Pugh explains how to keep in shape for all conditions with a comprehensive guide to slab reefing techniques
Inland gear: the essential kit for navigating canals, lakes and rivers
Rupert Holmes looks at the gear you need to safely navigate the inland waterways on your boat
Dutch Inland Waterways: The best second-hand yachts for the Staande Mast Route
Phil Clandillon looks at the best second-hand yachts for sailing popular cruising grounds; this month, the Dutch inland seas and waterways
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…
The Beneteau 760 vs a ‘rogue’ wave
John Willis explains the consequences of cresting a bigger-than-expected wave while helming his 25ft motorboat
40th ARC fleet members rally to give blood for fellow sailor
Thirty willing volunteers lined up outside a mobile blood bank to donate to help one of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers participants.
What is the best adhesive for sticking down Dek-King?
The Dek-King installed on the benches of Brian Stirling's yacht is coming unstuck. What is the best adhesive for making repairs
Leaving little wake: the joy of sailing slowly
Slow sailboats leave no wake, and the minimal water disturbance also means greater opportunities to observe marine life, says Clive Marsh
The story of the Uru: Sustainable shipbuilding lessons from an ocean-crossing sailboat made of reeds
There was a single sailboat in this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale, but it’s probably not the kind you’re picturing. Forget GRP and aluminium: the Uru’s hull was made entirely of…
How I installed a mast spotlight to stay safe in nighttime anchorages
Have you considered adding a mast spotlight to your yacht? Perhaps we’re asking too much of the good old anchor light. Set against the lights of a busy town or…
The best small Westerly yachts for family cruising on a budget
Westerly yachts can be seen at most UK ports and harbours: they’re roomy family boats and some are designed for racing. The smaller 20ft to 26ft yachts, can often be…
How a top-end engine rebuild got me cruising on my dreamboat
After years of searching for his dream boat, Drew Maglio explains how he fixed the V8 engine on his new-to-him Chaparral 2550 SX with an impressive top-end engine rebuild.
Barry Perrins: ‘I bought the boat and lived the dream’
After nine years of circumnavigating the globe, 'old Seadog' Barry Perrins talks to Laura Hodgetts about seamanship, the realities of sailing offshore and his onboard essentials
Banish damp from your boat this winter
Ashore or afloat, winter cold and damp can have a detrimental effect. Jake Kavanagh looks at the options for keeping condensation and moisture at bay