Howard Betts had a brainwave to design a versatile cockpit table – then he slept on it
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Dinghy wheels for an Avon Redcrest
Here’s my solution for those who still own ancient but trusty Avon Redstart and Redcrest dinghies. I rigged this 20 years ago by fitting a pair of wheels to the…
Make a fid from a ballpoint pen
I wanted to change my main halyard with the mast up. The halyard is inside the mast, exiting at the base and then enclosed under the hatch garage before leading…
Nav in a nutshell: How to use a Breton Plotter
Breton Plotters are simple to use in practice, but tricky to explain on paper – it’s much easier if you have one in front of you as you follow the…
Nav in a nutshell: Shaping a course
GPS is not infallible, so it makes sense to know the basics of shaping a rough ‘course to steer’ on a paper chart, says Dick Everitt.
Nav in a nutshell: Know tidal vectors
'It’s easy for any sailor to remember how to draw tidal vectors with a handy little aide-mémoire!' Says Dick Everitt.
How to sail to Australia from the UK in a small boat
Kate and Jonny Harrison dreamed of a round-the-world backpacking tour to Australia – but then their plans took a nautical turn
How to cut rounded corners with a hole saw
How to cut rounded corners with a hole saw
Turn a storm jib into a trysail
A storm jib came with my second-hand 23ft (7m) Hunter Duette, but it couldn’t be run up the forestay because of the roller reefing headsail gear. Also, as I’m getting…
Make your own fids for splicing
Tony Nield makes his own fids from copper pipe and the cork from a bottle of port
How to repair big holes in GRP boats
Even wrecks can be rescued! Damaged boats can often be bought for a song and then successfully repaired – but it’s not a job for the faint-hearted. Jake Kavanagh explains…
Nav in a nutshell: Coping with currents
Dick Everitt explains how sailors can apply knowledge of tidal streams to ensure that water flow is a help, not a hindrance
Anchor light and emergency VHF antenna
Paul Newton mounts an anchor light and emergency VHF antenna on his pushpit
DIY engine cooling water alarm
DIY engine cooling water alarm
Remote control for a small auxiliary outboard
Derrick Grover makes a remote throttle and steering control for a small outboard
Holding tank for a small boat
David Witton converts a caravan tank to make a holding tank for his small boat
Osmosis – the professional treatment
Even the worst cases of osmosis can be professionally treated, and while the process is expensive and time consuming, it will revive the boat and restore its value. Jake Kavanagh…
DIY Osmosis Repair
If you’ve found a few blisters on your gel coat, don’t despair. You may not need to do a full gel coat strip – which on cheaper boats may not…
10 Gelcoat cleaners tested
Which gelcoat cleaners are best at combating waterline yellowing on boat hulls?
DIY use of antifouling paints meeting round-up
Watch this space and in PBO to find out what you can do to defend your rights to apply antifouling yourself, in a safe manner.