There are plenty of ways that a mast or its rigging can fail, but there are often key telltale signs that a problem is about to develop. Fatigue is one…
Gear
Choosing a boat dinghy – top tips for buying and maintaining tenders
From getting on and off the yacht to collecting supplies, visiting friends or simply going fishing, tenders play an important role in a boat owner’s life. Here are some of…
Best boat rope – the right rope for mooring lines, halyards and sheets
At this time of year we often start to put into place plans for upgrading our boats for the new season. In many cases this will involve at least some…
Best boat toilet roll and other practical ideas for the heads
A blocked toilet onboard your boat is to be avoided at all costs and one of the worst culprits is the use of standard toilet paper that contains glue (even…
Boating with dogs – essential sailing gear for your seadog
Having the right dog sailing gear is an important part of keeping your four-legged friend happy. Any dog can be taken sailing, at least once, but some are better suited…
Best bilge pumps: electric pumps, emergency pumps and alarms
Rupert Holmes explains how electric bilge pumps work and why performance doesn't always meet expectations
Make your own bilge pump alarm
A bilge alarm is an essential piece of kit on any boat. You can buy a bilge alarm on Amazon or at any chandlery or make your own using a…
Seadogs: 10 top tips for sailing with dogs
Sailing round the world with dogs requires months of preparation and research, stacks of paperwork, extra supplies and provisions, regular vaccinations, expensive updates for your vessel, and many hours of…
Best boat heaters – diesel, solid fuel or warm air central heating?
Diesel fuelled heating systems Having a warm boat can significantly lengthen the sailing season, but the best boat heater for you depends on budget, the size of your boat, and…
How to climb your mast and work aloft safely
As much as I love sailing, there is one thing (besides rebuilding the head) that I really have a problem with, and that is the height of the mast. No,…
What is AIS Class B+ and do I need it for my boat?
I ’d been thinking about buying an AIS transceiver for my Merry Fisher 855 for some time. I use my boat mainly in the Solent, where avoiding other vessels is…
How to make your own hammock or cockpit tent from a simple tarpaulin
You may find yourself in need of one (or all) of the following at some point: a sun awning and maybe something to keep the dew off in the evening…
Battery maintenance for boat owners: How to look after your boat batteries
For all but the smallest and simplest of craft a reliable supply of battery power is essential to keep both vital safety systems and domestic comforts running. They’re therefore an…
Electric winches, handles and furlers – a buyer’s guide
Maybe you want to spend more time sailing single-handed, or perhaps you’re reaching the age when winching up the mainsail by hand is starting to take the fun out of…
Tried and tested: Fenwick’s Over Wintering coating on Treadmaster decking
In January 2018 I reviewed Fenwick’s Tent and Awning Cleaner – a product chiefly marketed to caravan owners – to see how well it would perform at removing stubborn mould…
Boat propeller: How to choose the right one for your boat
Understanding boat propeller design can help solve performance problems that occur when a boat is being driven under power. The wrong prop may be wrong in a number of different…
Outboard maintenance tips – step by step 4-stroke guide
Wind, weather and the elements are the usual culprits when it comes to boat maintenance, however the 4-stroke outboard engine is best tended to from the inside out. Changing the…
Wifi on your boat: how to get online on the water this summer
Although many of us go sailing to get away from our hectic everyday lives, the Internet can have a variety of uses on board, writes Duncan Kent. From keeping in…
Tested: 12 bosun’s chairs
Are you sitting comfortably? Let’s hope so – especially when climbing the mast. Ben Meakins tests the comfort, safety and build quality of 12 bosun’s chairs
Best bilge cleaners: how to clean an oily, smelly bilge
Ben Meakins gets down and dirty in the pursuance of the most effective way to clean oily, malodorous bilges