After finding a hydraulic oil leak in the steering of his Nauticat 331, Mike Corp services the yacht’s helm pump and steering ram
Practical
Why is there a film on the seacocks?
PBO reader Camilla Ransom has found a "strange film" on one of the boat's seacocks. What should she do? Surveyor Colin Brown has the answer
How to sell your boat: one owner’s experience
Andy Hazell shares his experience of buying and selling a family boat
How to sell a boat & get the best price
Ali Wood gets tips from the trade on how to sell your boat from a marine surveyor and a yacht broker so you can get the best price to spend…
Tiller to wheel conversion: step by step
If you have a tiller-steered boat and would rather have a wheel, how would you go about converting it? David Harding sees how it’s done to a Hanse 315
Boat galley improvements on a sailing yacht
Mike Reynolds transforms the galley area aboard his cruiser-racer by installing a new fridge box, drinks locker, sink and worktops
Spinnaker repair: how to do it yourself
Andy Pag saves thousands of pounds on a replacement by mending his shredded sail himself using a domestic sewing machine
Boat maintenance: jobs to tackle over the winter
Now’s the time to tick-off those jobs you’ve been putting off all season and get a head-start on the spring rush, says Ali Wood
How to find an engine oil leak in a Volvo 2002
David Moody is struggling to find the cause of an engine oil leak in his Volvo 2002. Stu Davies has the answer
Raw water pump: rebuild or replace?
PBO reader Clive Hathway has a leaking raw water pump. Should he buy a replacement or rebuild it? Stu Davies gives his advice
Stop the boat! How (and why) I installed an OLAS Guardian wireless killcord
Lightweight, planing motorboats are very susceptible to being blown off course when not under power. This is can be awkward when coming up a channel to a mooring and there’s…
Is there a better diesel fuel?
Would gas to liquid (GTL) fuel work better than diesel fuel? PBO's engine whisperer, Stu Davies ponders the question
How should I look after my fuel to beat diesel bug?
Ali Wood gets some bug-beating advice from Marine 16’s Peter Weide and learns why modern diesel requires more attention than ever
Replacing a saildrive gaiter: step by step
After seven years of regular use, a saildrive gaiter should be changed before it deteriorates to let water through the hull, warns Tony Davies
Buying a boat: the essential guide
Rupert Holmes looks at negotiations, surveys and the legal aspects of buying a second-hand boat
Boat wood: a complete guide for yacht owners
Boatbuilder and finisher Lyndon March explains which types of wood work best for different repairs and modifications on board
How to prepare a small boat for a big offshore sailing adventure: Top tips from Jester Challenge sailors
The art of sailing a small boat single-handed for long periods has been perfected by Jester Challenge sailors. Jake Kavanagh picks up some tips for keeping skipper and boat safe…
Antifouling: Everything you need to know
Here’s PBO’s guide to preparing for, choosing and using antifouling paints
Why plywood boats are making a comeback
A wonder material in the 1950s and 1960s, plywood is making a comeback. Rupert Holmes analyses what lies behind a new wave of plywood boats
What’s the best way to change a pump impeller? Ask the experts
Oliver Chapple from Lincoln writes: “I have a very much loved 35ft Atlantic Ketch called Octopus, a splendid sea boat that has carried us safely to the Western Isles, Orkney,…