Wireless, portable wind sensors have been around for many years, but none are as neatly packaged as this impressively compact ultrasonic unit which has no moving parts. Power is via…
Practical Boat Owner
Classic racing yacht restored to former glory
Clarionet, the famous 1966 Sparkman & Stephens One Tonner, has been restored to her original glory. Built by Clare Lallow’s yard in Cowes, Isle of Wight, the yacht was previously…
Have your say on PBO and get a chance to win a case of wine
From refits to racing — and much more besides — we cover a lot of different topics at Practical Boat Owner. Now, we’d love to hear more from you, the…
Rope holding issues solved: How to repair rope clutches and when to replace them
The first step is to examine the existing cams. Are they the correct size for each line? And how badly are they worn? Wear can have a massive effect on…
Yachtmaster training: How I qualified as a professional skipper during lockdown
When I was 14 I attended an open day at a small sailing club in Cookham village on the river Thames. I was hooked the minute I got on a…
Tides explained: What causes the tide to rise and fall
If you’re good at maths, you’ll see that in 14 days’ time, you will be more or less back to where you started from. So, if it’s high tide at…
Lithium batteries vs lead-acid batteries: What are the key differences for boat owners?
But even the best lithium batteries do have downsides, writes Emrhys Barrell . The first is cost, at up to four times the price of an equivalent output lead acid…
SSB radio antenna: How can I install one on my boat? Our expert answers
Q: I recently bought a NASA Target HF3 SSB radio antenna receiver. The manual that came with it is OK but the instructions for the antenna includes a diagram of…
Copper antifouling: Will it corrode my metal hull? Our expert answers your question
Q: I was wondering about maybe going down the Coppercoat route for my 32ft steel Wylo II. Is copper antifouling a practical proposition for a steel boat? From the electrolysis…
Should I get a bow thruster? Our expert answers your question
Q: I have a Vancouver 32 and I’m considering fitting a bow thruster as it’s a long keel yacht and berthing can sometimes be challenging. But I’m not sure of…
Seasickness remedies: 20 ways to fight mal de mer without medication
You never forget your first time. As we left the wind shadow of Rønne on the island of Bornholm, Denmark, my belly began to boil as the 30-knot gusts and…
Electric outboard motors: How new tech is weaning boat owners off fossil fuels
The market for electric outboard motors has been growing fast over the past few years. Boat owners love the idea of silent, fume-free cruising using lightweight motors that will have…
Wooden boat restoration: the Youtube channel following four years in a boatyard
It was October 2015, I was 30 years old, and dreaming of sailing the world some day, perhaps even owning a gaffer of my own. By weekday, I was a…
Why I chose serial electric hybrid propulsion with lead carbon batteries for my narrow boat
During the first lockdown in March 2020, my wife, Kay, and I began musing about the possibility of trying to be a bit greener in the forthcoming build of our…
“Why I’m giving up Maximus, my 5-berth cruising boat”
Last month, Practical Boat Owner got a surprise email from reader Daniel Kirtley, asking if we wanted his 28ft cruiser Maximus, as a project boat. “Following a well-trodden path I…
Tribute to John Goode – a contributor and friend to PBO
Tributes have been coming in following the news that sailing instructor, author and friend to PBO – John Goode – has died. John wrote a series of practical articles for…
Home-built boats – the readers building Western Skiffs from free PBO plans
It’s nearly two years since the first Western Skiff Mk2 was launched on the River Dart. The boat was based on lines for an easy-to-build kit boat drawn by legendary…
Famous boat restorations – when is it time to give up?
A boat restoration is an emotive topic. Those who sail regularly develop a strong affection for their vessel. They might moan about her quirks and shortcomings but should anyone agree…
Trapped in thick fog with my 8-year-old daughter whilst on passage to France
Navigating through fog is frightening. At 91 years of age my sailing career is over, but I can’t grumble as I have some wonderful memories. Recently, whilst reading about the…
Boat electronics repair: How to fix your boat’s instruments
If you can solder it’s always worth taking things apart and having a go at repairing them as a last resort before paying for a replacement. In this boat electronics…