Ali Wood recalls her first sailing passage using electronic charts
Gear
How to install a Halyard Aquadrive in a Contessa 32
A boat owner installs a Halyard Aquadrive antivibration system for smoother, quieter cruising and reduced wear on his marine engine and gearbox
How to replace polarising film on your instrument screen
Andy Pag tries to fix the display screen on his Raymarine ST6001 autopilot control unit
I’m a commercial skipper and this is my onboard essentials list for a Mediterranean Yacht Charter
After several seasons working as a commercial skipper, I’ve got my onboard essentials locked in. Whether you’re a sailor or a guest, the key to packing for a Mediterranean Yacht…
Can VHF and AIS run on the same aerial?
Boat owner Robert Campbell is considering fitting a splitter so his AIS transceiver can share the same aerial as his VHF radio. Is it a good idea?
‘I smelled burning plastic and realised my plug was melting!’
Electrical and faulty appliances – 52% risk factor in boat fires Electrical fires make up over half of all boat fires according to insurance information obtained by Boatus.com I’m no…
Propeller care: everything you need to know
Stu Davies has valuable tips on how to maintain your prop – and explains how this vital bit of kit works, and why propeller care is needed
Can I trust this boat mooring?
Most sailors use traditional moorings without knowing about their condition or how they are made. Ben Sutcliffe-Davies explains
Where to recycle old sails and end of life kit – drop off points across the UK and Europe
Got old sails and old rope that you don't want to put into landfill? The ReSail platform allows sailors to find free drop-off points to give new life to end-of-life…
Overhauling the DC boat electrics on a 38ft boat
Richard Thomson explains how he gave his 1983 Trident Marine Voyager 38’s electrical system a complete and cost effective overhaul.
New AIS MOB device rule affecting sailors
Big changes to marine radio device rules are planned to be brought into the UK. The only MOB AIS devices allowed will be those that incorporate DSC on Ch70.
Boat battery care: the do’s and the don’ts
Stuart James of Predator Batteries shares his expert tips for achieving optimum battery performance on board your boat
Do you really need an active radar reflector on your boat?
Simon Hampton-Matthews, chair of the Cruising Association’s RATS committee, discusses radar reflectors and whether they’re still the best way to be seen on the water
Is foiling really the future of cruising?
Foiling technology has revolutionised the world of sailboat racing, but can it make its way to cruising yachts too? Saša Fegić reports
French canal boating: the essential kit
Julian and Vanessa Dussek took their Southerly 115 down through France to the Med, about 1,000 miles. Listed here are items they found essential or desirable
A sustainable alternative to marine ply?
Even the best marine ply is not totally moisture resistant and will eventually succumb to rot after extended periods of raised moisture levels. Supersede Marine Board is said to be…
11 Practical Gift Ideas That Sailors Actually Want!
Finding decent gifts for boat owners is an unenviably tricky task, but luckily Practical Boat Owner is here to help! These might not all look to be the most exciting…
Satellite communication at sea: staying connected from your boat
With Starlink’s high-speed internet, do sailors still need satellite phones on board while at sea? Ali Wood looks at the pros and cons of the different systems available to cruisers…
Installing a Wavestream 1 bilge filter
Dirty, oily bilge water from your boat’s hull can be filtered to protect marine life. We talk to sailors who have retrofitted the Wavestream 1 kit...
Why you should consider the weight of boat tools
Minimise the need for weighty tools on board by swapping metal parts with wood and rope, and muffling those you can’t with leather, says Clive Marsh