Marine fabrics are increasingly being made using natural fibres, less harmful chemicals and longer-lasting colours. Jake Kavanagh looks at the cut of the cloth
Buoycatcher-Max: We test the next generation boat hook
How to make a last-minute home-made dinghy spinnaker pole
Mad about the boat: The echoes of Essex past
Rebuilding an outboard motor gearbox: step-by-step
Orca encounters on boats: what you need to know
How to repair a heavy-duty zip on a bow dodger
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…
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…
Boat maintenance
Cheap boating: 110 ways to cut the cost of your sailing and cruising
“How I restored my Jeanneau Sun 2000 trailer-sailer at the age of 15”
22 practical tips for a single handed sailor to make your boat easier to sail
Milky oil in my saildrive. What do I do?
How to fit a tabernacle to your boat
How to service your two-speed winch: step-by-step
Maintenance
How to service a marine engine cooling system
Is your boat's engine beginning to run hotter than normal? It may be time to service the cooling system, suggests Tony Davies
What does a sailmaker do?
Shortly before the Round the Island Race, one of the largest yacht races in the world, it’s all go at the T Sails loft in…
What causes a propeller to go pinkish in colour?
While Rod Stuart was scrubbing his boat, he saw the anode had fallen off and his propeller was turning a pinkish colour. How does he…
Why an oil test is vital for boat engine health
Gilbert Park and Larry Rumbol explain why regular a regular oil test can increase the life and reliability of your boat engine – and save…
Amazing adventures
Meraki: a new film about defying the odds to race across the Atlantic in a homebuilt 5.8m boat
Florentino Das: a shoestring voyage of adventure across the Pacific in a 24ft boat
Inland boating in the UK: a beginner’s guide
New race for solo and double-handed sailors who wish to sail the world in their own boat
Gear tests
Lithium iron phosphate batteries: myths BUSTED!
Mediterranean sailing: the essential kit you need
Two years of owning my electric outboard: long term test of the Torqeedo 603
Buying a new or used outboard motor? Professionals share their tips to make sure you avoid the pitfalls
ePropulsion X Series electric outboards: first look
What sailing boat kit do you need for an Atlantic crossing? Cruisers share the gear that really worked for them
Practical Projects
Great tips and ideas to improve your boat from PBO readers
How to make a DIY boom brake for £8.95
How to make an easy marina mooring pick-up device
How to make an anti-vibration mount for your wind turbine
How to keep an easy-to-release anchor secure and prevent it from jiggling free
Installing a transducer on a boat
DIY crew headset for efficient anchoring
PBO Project Boat
What does a sailmaker do?
Shortly before the Round the Island Race, one of the largest yacht races in the world, it’s all go at…
Shore power: solving tripping problems
Ali Wood gets a crash course in reverse polarity and smart charging when Project Boat Maximus’s shore power gets trippy…
Sail design – using 3D software and laser technology to cut new sails
During the survey of our Maxi 84, the PBO Project Boat Maximus, we were warned by a marine surveyor that…
How to measure your yacht for new sails
Measuring your boat for new sails is a job for the sailmaker, so when our PBO Project Boat Maximus needed…
Restoring a vintage Sailor radio
Ali Wood’s Sailor radio is given the VIP treatment
Seajet Bioclean silicone antifoul review: Our verdict after one year on the water
Does silicone antifouling work? It’s not flying off the shelves yet, according to suppliers, but the results from our Project…
Securing mast cable on our Maxi 84
With the help of ACM Marine, Ali Wood goes about securing mast cable on the Maxi 84 PBO project boat
Family sailing safety gear: TESTED!
Ali Wood discusses the sailing safety gear she chose for their first family cruise on board their Maxi 84, and…