Sailing in squalls? How to protect your rig and sails; DIY rudder checks; How to service your outboard engine; Get the best out of your…
Practical Boat Owner
Summer issue – out 6 June
Troubleshoot engine problems at sea, the 30 best ways to get afloat if you don’t have a boat, how to find crew, essential DIY rig…
Katie McCabe joins speaker line-up at BoatLife Live boat show
Teenage round-Britain sailor Katie McCabe will be among the guest speakers at BoatLife Live, which takes place 17 - 20 February 2022, at The NEC, Birmingham
And they’re off! ARC+ yachts leave Las Palmas for Cape Verde
Seventy yachts left Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, this afternoon in gusty 15-20 knot north-easterlies, headed for Cape Verde. The boats are part of the ARC+ – the sister event to…
Countdown to ARC+ begins – 2 hours to go
Moderate to strong winds are expected for the start of the ARC+ today in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. Around 70 boats will be taking part in the rally, sailing to…
260 miles of North Sea sailing in 2.5 days for Lowestoft fish and chips
Sailing across the North Sea from the Netherlands to the UK in two and a half days just for Lowestoft fish and chips. Was it worth it?
On ‘tenterhooks’ after mast damage – why we won’t be making the ARC+ start this Sunday
“It could have been much worse,” says New Zealander Simon Pollard, pointing to the coachroof of the Oyster 56, which looks strangely bare without its mast. “It could have come…
Katie McCabe on sailing solo to the Isles of Scilly – aged 13
Prior to her single-handed round-Britain circumnavigation, Katie McCabe sailed her newly restored classic yacht solo to the Isles of Scilly
Powerboater recalls “fishing a biplane pilot out of the sea”
A powerboater whose family sprang into action when a biplane crashed into Poole Harbour on the south coast, narrowly missing yachts, rocks and a chain ferry, tells her story.
Learning to sail in a Mirror dinghy built from a kit – the hard way
Having built a Mirror dinghy and taken it to the Isles of Scilly on a ferry, Peter Baylis and friends realise they may have overlooked a few details...
Parker 660 Pilothouse review: Impressive performer is surprisingly versatile
Before the introduction of its range of sports fishing boats and fast cruisers in the early 2000s, Parker Poland had been one of the leading suppliers of RIBs since the…
The Red waterproof kit bag on test – PLUS what to wear for dinghy sailing
I have a cupboard full of waterproof bags. Some I use for keeping water in (for example, my 40L Musto drybag, which I use for lugging around soggy wetsuits); others…
How to sail off a mooring
In many situations, leaving the mooring under power is the only sensible option. But if conditions allow, why not spare the engine and sail off instead? David Harding offers some…
Learning from experience: Chasing the leak on a sinking boat in Lyme Bay
Dr Brian Johnson became quickly and intimately acquainted with his engine’s silencer when it threatened to sink his Westerly Pageant
Channel Hopping: Alluring Arctic suffers engine failure at 62° North
I’m not sure why I was so late to the party when it comes to the channel Alluring Arctic, but having taken the bait on a recent title which included…
Towing under sail for 232 miles: Impressive seamanship in the Jester Azores Challenge
"Some 400 miles from the finishing line, the Varne Folkboat Minke lost her rudder" – John Apps reports on impressive feats of seamanship from the latest Jester Azores Challenge
December 2021
Which kit boat? Build your own boat on a budget; a reader's voyage into the wilderness – 'Skye to Orkney with our dog'; Seacocks explained; plus antifoul and rust removal…
Climbing the powerboat ladder: How I bought and sold 3 boats for a $7k profit
As the maxim goes, wind and tide wait for no one and just outside of the breakwater exists another world. To some, boat ownership is insanity, as boats require constant…
How to prepare a boat for winter: Expert lay-up tips
Many of us are lucky enough to be able to keep our boats afloat all year and can therefore sneak in some winter sails – or even short cruises –…
How to cover a boat for winter: Top tips from a boat restoration expert
Opinions are divided when it comes to whether you should cover a boat for winter. Some say the boat is best left uncovered to prevent sweating and condensation. In the…
How I built my grandchildren an 8ft toy tugboat for just £1,200
Like many other boating fathers I made a couple of small dinghies using the stitch and glue method for my sons in the early 1990s and now it’s the turn…
Fixing the vintage Sailor radio 02 – WOW! Take a look inside…
In part 2 of the Sailor radio restoration, Rob Wells takes the knobs off. The dimmer has to be sawn come off, but he manages to remove the on/off switch…