Small outboard motors can often be a low priority when it comes to maintenance. David Parker found out the hard way that his trusty little engine had been ignored for…
Top stories
Orca encounters on boats: what you need to know
Katy Stickland talks to marine scientists, sailors and The Cruising Association to find out the most effective way to safely sail the Atlantic Iberian Peninsula
How to repair a heavy-duty zip on a bow dodger
Tony Davies demonstrates how you can restore a broken heavy-duty zip to full working condition
Making a hull fitting to fit a depth transducer
Many makes of depth displays use a standard transducer such as those made by NASA, Airmar, B&G, Raymarine and other manufacturers worldwide. These work by transmitting and receiving a signal…
How to rig a spinnaker on a small yacht – what you need and where to fit it
If you want a spinnaker, but don’t have the necessary fittings or equipment on your boat, where do you start?
How to apply KiwiGrip to your deck
Ben Meakins used KiwiGrip deck paint to refresh the non-slip on his boat’s decks last winter – but how well did it cope with a season’s abuse?
Sail trim: Sailing downwind without a spinnaker
Sailing efficiently when the wind comes astern doesn’t mean you have to fly a spinnaker or cruising chute. David Harding shows how to make the most of your upwind sails…
Solo sailing tips – anchoring and berthing
Andrew Blyth, who regularly sails his 9m Maurice Griffiths cutter single-handed, describes a selection of methods for dealing with tricky berthing and anchoring situations when single- or short-handed
Jet skier cautioned under new water safety law after he forced a ferry master to take evasive action
A jet skier in his 20s has been cautioned by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency after his actions forced a ferry master to take evasive action in Cowes Harbour
How to make a DIY boom brake for £8.95
David Holmes reflects on the success of his simple boom brake
Investigation underway after sailing couple – Brett Clibbery and Sarah Packwood – found dead in their liferaft
Brett Clibbery and Sarah Packwood left Halifax on their GibSea 42, Theros to sail across the Atlantic to the Azores. They were discovered on 10 July in their liferaft, after…
IZIBoat: Simple sailing on a yacht that can be towed by bicycle
Rupert Holmes sails an innovative catamaran design intended to widen participation in sailing among those with little time to get on the water in more conventional craft
Meraki: a new film about defying the odds to race across the Atlantic in a homebuilt 5.8m boat
Meraki is a new film documenting Keith Oliver's build of his Globe 5.80 and his 3,600nm race across the Atlantic. Katy Stickland speaks to the director, Robert Edmonds
Why you should still make a passage plan
Cruising guide author Robert Bailey explains the importance of not being completely dependent on electronic chartplotters and why it is still vital to make a passage plan
Hebridean wind vane: testing the DIY self-steering gear
David Pugh assesses the build-it-yourself Hebridean wind vane in a moderate breeze off Lowestoft
Mad about the boat: Cream tea carnage at sea
The crew’s ‘scone mad’ on a Thames sailing barge... PBO columnist Dave Selby speaks from experience
Baltic Sea sailing: the best boats under 40ft for cruising adventure
Duncan Kent picks the best second-hand sub-40ft sail and power boats for crossing the North Sea and exploring a Baltic summer
Calor confirms it is increasing its small cylinder capacity
Following years of shortages, Calor has announced it has ordered "a significant number" of 3.9kg propane and 4.5kg butane cylinders
Cheap boating: 110 ways to cut the cost of your sailing and cruising
From DIY to learning new skills, mooring, sails and rigging, Ali Wood has some top tips on keeping afloat as affordably as possible
Basic survival celestial navigation
Making a ‘mer pass’ observation is one of the simplest, yet most useful navigation tools for sailors to possess, explains Jay Renton