On sale now! This month’s PBO features a round-up of the successful Scotland’s Boat Show and plenty of brilliant features on sail and power boats – new and second-hand – seamanship, new gear and, of course, practical ideas, projects and guides to improve your boat on a budget.

BOATS

Hanse vs Bavaria

The 34-36ft cruising yachts from these two marques offer some of the best value on the second-hand market

Tested: Seaward 39

Built on the Isle of Wight, the Seaward 39 is a hardy all-weather powerboat with luxurious touches

SEAMANSHIP

Anchoring in a tight spot

Alex Blackwell on how to drop the hook when space is at a premium

Storm over Breydon Water

Andrew Bond recalls an eventful weekend on the Norfolk Broads

GEAR

Distress Beacons

Know your EPIRBs from your PLBs and your AIS MOBs. David Parker on the different devices and what may be the best one for you on board

New gear

Water repellent jackets, dry suits
low-cost liferafts, multi-function display units, hatch wedges, hull cleaning tool and VHF radio

CRUISING

Visit Falmouth

This Cornish port has a rich maritime
past and much to offer, says Ali Wood

The west of Ireland

Alison and Julian Cable find some hidden gems en route to Galway

River Risle anchorage

The Normandy creek that is an alternative to Le Havre and Honfleur

PRACTICALS

Painting the deck

Mark Ryan gives his boat a winter revamp and saves over £2,000

Repair a wheel pilot

Trevor Martin mended and improved his Raymarine ST4000

T-boned deck repair

Mike Pickles on rebuilding a boat with a damaged deck and topside

Making a tool caddy

David Parker shows how to make a handy container for your tools

Tidy wiring

Cable runs need attention? Tony Davies illustrates two solutions

Practical projects

Making mosquito screens, a rope cutter, a wasp deterrent and more