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…
Practical
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
How to fix a leak in the marine engine cooling system
Stu Davies advises PBO reader Richard Jales how to solve a leak in his boat's marine engine cooling system
Repairing a broken boat wind generator
Andy Pag takes apart a Rutland WG1200 turbine to see if he can get it turning smoothly again
How to install boat portholes
Phil Taylor reduces the size of the windows on his Sabre 27 by fitting portholes for offshore sailing
How to launch a trailer sailer (and the key mistakes to avoid)
George was helping to launch his friend’s boat and asked if Paul and I could give them a hand. My friend George knows nothing about boats, his involvement was as…
How to choose the right project boat
How do you distinguish a real bargain boat from one that’s not worth restoring, even if it’s free? Rupert Holmes has some sage advice
Calor Gas alternatives for boat owners
With Calor discontinuing some of its gas cylinders, Barry Pickthall looks at the options available for boat owners with older vessels
Home-built boat: From design research to launch
Chris Comerie uses retirement to fulfil a teenage boatbuild ambition, resulting in a trailable gaff-slooped pocket cruiser
How to choose the right electric outboard engine
Marine electrician Jamie Marley explains what you should look out for when choosing an electric outboard engine for your type of cruising
Will my old propeller work with a new engine?
Jerry Armitage is planning to replace his boat engine, but will the old propeller work? PBO expert Tony Davies has the answer
Is the old dynastart a good charger?
PBO reader Will Kerr has an old dynastart and wants to know if it will be able to charge his batteries. Stu Davies has the answer