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…
Legend 356 sailboat: Big in Britain but born in the USA
Hunter Marine became a major force in boatbuilding from the 1980s through to the financial crisis of 2008, with the boats sold in the UK under the Legend brand to…
Replacing seacocks on Maximus – chuck ’em out and start again
The worn seacocks on PBO Project Boat Maximus are going to have to go. During the survey of the 28ft Maxi 84, marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies points out that they’re…
Boat Electrics 101 course review – ideal for a wide range of people
Arguably the most misunderstood aspect of boat maintenance concerns the electrical systems. Price: US$199 – www.boathowto.com Enter the code lifesaver at the checkout to get $10 off and boathowto.com will…
Local council saves grassroots sailing club
Dorset sailors returned to the water this month after their club was threatened with closure. The club, which was affiliated to Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre (HHOEC), was saved by…
How safe is your boat gas oven? Marine surveyor condemns Maximus’s oven
Is your boat gas oven safe? “A lot of people own boat ovens like this one,” says marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe Davies. “However, what’s worrying is when you see the…
September 2021
We roam far and wide in the latest issue of PBO featuring Greenland's Wally the Walrus, Norway in a Tall Ship, whale watching in Quebec and going inland in Cornwall.…
Drinking bilge water! Lifesaver Liberty water filtration bottle on test
Drinking bilge water isn’t something you do every day, but it seemed like a great opportunity to test the Lifesaver Liberty filtration bottle. After all, two years of stagnant brown…
How to detect gas leaks on boats – a handy tool that could save your life
Detecting gas leaks on boats is important, especially as gas standards on boats were very different 40 years ago. Sadly the PBO Project Boat Maximus is going to require a…
Why does my Carbon Monoxide alarm go off when I use an alcohol stove? Ask the experts
We fitted a CO detector when we had a gas stove on our GK24. The gas stove was replaced with an alcohol stove and the CO detector started going off…
Engine health check: 6 steps to make sure your diesel is in fine fettle
An idea struck me when I ordered an oil analysis for Merlot, my lockdown project boat. Routine health checks are part of medicine so why not for my engine? Merlot…
The latest Calypso wireless portable wind sensor is going to take some beating
Wireless, portable wind sensors have been around for many years, but none are as neatly packaged as this impressively compact ultrasonic unit which has no moving parts. Power is via…
Cloudy diesel: What is making my fuel turn more orange than usual?
The red diesel in the bowl of my primary filter looks cloudy and has a more orange colour than normal. There is no sign of water in the bowl. I…
Classic racing yacht restored to former glory
Clarionet, the famous 1966 Sparkman & Stephens One Tonner, has been restored to her original glory. Built by Clare Lallow’s yard in Cowes, Isle of Wight, the yacht was previously…
Dog surfing and paddleboard championships this weekend
Does your dog love paddleboarding and surfing? If so, make your way to Poole this weekend for the UK’s only dog surfing and paddleboard championships. Article continues below… Now…
Have your say on PBO and get a chance to win a case of wine
From refits to racing — and much more besides — we cover a lot of different topics at Practical Boat Owner. Now, we’d love to hear more from you, the…
Rope holding issues solved: How to repair rope clutches and when to replace them
The first step is to examine the existing cams. Are they the correct size for each line? And how badly are they worn? Wear can have a massive effect on…
Yachtmaster training: How I qualified as a professional skipper during lockdown
When I was 14 I attended an open day at a small sailing club in Cookham village on the river Thames. I was hooked the minute I got on a…
Electric inboard boat motors: 3 yacht owners explain why they made the switch
Just a few years ago there were perhaps half-a-dozen manufacturers making electric outboards. Now there are nearly 40. We covered electric outboard engines in detail last month; here we look…
Wally the Walrus: boat owners asked to block bathing platforms
Boat owners in St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly have been asked to block bathing platforms and gently deflect Wally the Walrus with an oar if he attempts to board their…
UK seabirds: How to identify some of the most common breeds
Sailors have been watching seabirds for thousands of years. Early navigators in the Pacific used their knowledge of how far different birds ranged from land to judge when they were…