Halyards need taking out of the mast if you’re unstepping the mast or the line needs replacing. It is pretty straightforward, but there are a few steps to follow to…
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How to repair instrument gauges
Every boat has a number of gauges for water, fuel and waste tanks. Every so often, one of them will stop working properly – giving no reading at all or…
Ocean Film Festival in your living room
This October sees the very first virtual edition of the Ocean Film Festival World Tour. This annual collection of short films has been a hit with PBO staff since it…
How to: moor a yacht alongside
When it comes to mooring your boat alongside, it helps to know which lines do what, what type of rope to use and how best to arrange them so that…
How to: change a marine diesel water impeller
One of the key checks when you start up your engine is that your raw water cooling system is working properly. You should see water coming out of the exhaust.…
How to: troubleshoot your marine diesel fuel system
One of the most common causes of a marine diesel engine not starting is a fuel problem. If you have engine problems and you have ruled out an electrical issue,…
10 of the best Youtube boat restorations
Boat restoration projects on Youtube never get old – for a start: the boats are often older than the people restoring them! But for anyone considering taking on a project,…
How to: troubleshoot your diesel engine electrics
Even when you’ve done all your normal pre-departure checks, sometimes the engine still just won’t start. If you have ever faced this problem, there are going to be two main…
ColRegs refresher – 12 videos every skipper should watch
Are you windward or leeward? Starboard or port? Do you know Rule 12(iii) and how do you cross a shipping lane? This neat series of ColRegs videos we filmed back…
How to: check and change an anode
Galvanic corrosion is a phenomenon that affects the majority of boats. If you have two dissimilar metals, such as stainless steel and bronze, the water will act as an electrolyte…
Youtube sailing: 6 of the best episodes about learning lessons at sea
A hallmark of a great sailor is the ability to keep calm in a crisis, deal with it, and bounce back. I write a monthly column all about the latest…
How to: service your lifejacket
Attitudes to wearing lifejackets have changed slowly but surely says offshore sailing instrucor and Rubicon 3 founder, Bruce Jacobs. As with car seatbelts, lifejackets are something that we automatically wear…
Planning your next adventure? Here’s some inspiration from the crews of ARC 2019
Have you ever crossed the Atlantic? This month at PBO we’re focusing on Amazing Adventures. If you’re planning a passage, or just fancy a bit of armchair sailing, take a…
DIY on video – one proud Contest 43 owner shares his onboard improvements
At PBO there’s nothing we love more than hearing about readers’ projects. Have you been busy in the workshop? Or maybe you’ve a boat project you never had time to…
Details announced for the RYA Dinghy Show 2018
Tickets have now gone on sale for the RYA Dinghy Show 2018 at the Alexandra Palace in London
Watch: Coastguard warning after a tombstoner is rescued
The UK Coastguard has released a video of the rescue of a young tombstoner in Flamborough, Yorkshire as a warning to others. It comes as parts of the UK prepare…
Watch: Relic of WW2 naval disaster found off Scapa Flow
The pinnace of the Royal Navy battleship, HMS Royal Oak, had lain undiscovered in Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands for nearly 80 years
UK Coastguard reminds sailors to have the correct communication equipment on board
The advice comes after a French boat sent out multiple VHF DSC Distress alerts to the UK Coastguard which were unable to raise a response from the crew
New Zealand to Fiji on a 26-footer – learning from experience
Euan Crawford experienced mixed fortunes when he and his girlfriend sailed their uninsured, un-surveyed, 30-year-old Raven 26 from New Zealand to Fiji.
Man Overboard – using a lifesling
Using a lifesling to make contact with and recover a man overboard.