Everything you need to know to make an invisible gelcoat repair, from preparation and filling to topcoat and polishing
Practical
How I converted a 17ft powercat into my perfect Canadian hybrid boat
The province of Ontario in Canada provides a huge range of boating opportunities, from historic man-made canals to more than 250,000 inland lakes, the 30,000 islands archipelago of Georgian Bay,…
Boat engine mount replacement: step by step guide
Mike Reynolds shares the lessons he learned about undertaking a boat engine mount replacement
Why isn’t fuel pre-treated to prevent diesel bug? Ask the experts
Glynn Jones writes: “If I have understood the issue correctly, the addition by the oil industry of biodiesel to our boat fuel is the main reason that ‘diesel bug’ is…
Quiz a sailmaker – everything you need to know about sails
Whilst deciding what cut and sailcloth to chose for the PBO Project Boat, we quizzed technical manager Daryl Morgan from Bainbridge International – one of the world’s oldest sailcloth manufacturers…
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 there was only so much he could tell us about…
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 new sails, we called in sailmaker Daryl Morgan, technical manager…
Understanding electrical wiring connections for boats
Pat Manley and Oliver Ballam demystify boat electrics and explain how to use and make secure electrical wiring connections
Engine revs sliding away: PBO’s engine whisperer has the answer!
Phil Symonds is struggling to find out why the engine revs on his yacht keep falling away. PBO's Stu Davies has the answer
How to make a boat fridge: step by step
Keith Calton converts an under-seat locker into a bespoke boat fridge for under £450
What’s the best way to clean an outboard? Ask the experts
Graeme Robinson writes: “At the end of the sailing season I always clean up my 5hp Yamaha outboard. One exercise is to run it through with fresh water, which I…
What to expect to learn on a boat building course
Fancy building or restoring your own boat? Ali Wood takes a tour of the Boat Building Academy in Lyme Regis
How to become a boat builder in 40 weeks
Inspired by a stunning homebuilt yacht, Ali Wood visits the Boat Building Academy to learn how any of us can become boatbuilders
Bilge pump troubleshooting: getting the float activation switch to work
Zoran Glozinic does a bit of bilge pump troubleshooting to try and work out why the float-activated switch on his automatic pump won't work
Understanding boat electrics: switches and relays
Pat Manley and Oliver Ballam demystify boat electrics, starting with switches and relays
DIY chartplotter for £200: how to build one at home
John Calton builds his own 10in touchscreen DIY chartplotter with GPS and AIS for a fraction of the cost of an off-the-shelf system
Dinghy launch trolley renovation: make it look as good as new!
Rather than bin a rusty dinghy launch trolley, Alec Marsh saves cash - and landfill - and repairs it
Transom repair for a hard tender: step-by-step
Jake Frith explains how to carry out a transom repair for many more years of trouble free service
Can a phone with satellite connectivity replace an EPIRB?
Is a phone with satellite connectivity a good replacement for the EPIRB? PBO expert Rupert Holmes answers the question
How do you close the gap between the rudder and propeller?
Practical Boat Owner reader David Blackborow is trying to find out the best way to close the gap between the rudder and propeller on his boat