Sooner or later most cruising skippers are likely to be faced with having to raft up in a harbour. But it needn’t be a stressful experience...
Seamanship
Pilotage: 14 ways to get a fix
14 traditional pilotage tips to help you obtain and maintain a fix of your position
Nav in a nutshell: Coping with currents
Dick Everitt explains how sailors can apply knowledge of tidal streams to ensure that water flow is a help, not a hindrance
Nav in a nutshell: Electronic charts
Dick Everitt assesses the differences between raster and vector charts when deciding on which chart plotter to buy
Nav in a nutshell: Looks good on paper
Up-to-date printed paper charts are a good bet for identifying your position – but they do have their limits, says Dick Everitt
How to reef – expert advice from PBO Sail Clinic
How do you ensure an efficient reef with a roller-reefing headsail and slab-reefing mainsail? David Harding explains
Nav in a nutshell: Navigate with radar
Dick Everitt gives us a clear picture of the advantages to be gained from using radar to check our navigation
Using an emergency tiller
How to make sure your emergency tiller is up to the job should your wheel steering fail at sea
How to steer a yacht without a rudder: Jury steering methods tested
How would you cope if your boat lost its steering at sea? PBO tries a variety of jury steering fixes to see how well they help to regain control
Is it safe to use a tether?
Perceived wisdom is that if you fall overboard, staying tethered to the boat will keep you safe. But is that the case? PBO’s test team conduct some trials… with sobering…
How to tow alongside
Towing another boat in the confines of a harbour means that you'll need to set up a tow alongside. Here's how...
How to set up an astern tow at sea
We examine the techniques of towing and setting up an astern tow at sea, trying out the textbook theories in practice
How to master fore and aft trot moorings
Fore-and-aft trot moorings are cheaper than marinas and have many advantages - but they can be tricky to pick up. Here's how...
Shortening sail single handed
In Pete Goss’ classic account of his Vendée Globe campaign, Close to the Wind, he tells the tale of a boat show encounter with a member of the public who…
Troubleshooting your telltales
Telltales: how they work, how to use them to steer a close-hauled course and how to interpret their behaviour
Getting to grips with gaff
With modern designs in the classic style becoming ever more popular, David Harding offers some tips on getting the best from a gaffer
Nav in a nutshell: Navigating at night
There’s no need to be in the dark if your preparation is thorough and easy to understand, says Dick Everitt
Nav in a Nutshell: Lighthouse characteristics on charts
Dick Everitt helps illuminate our understanding of lighthouse characteristics on charts, their dipping distances and loom...
Nav in a Nutshell: Navigate by ‘feel’ using an echo sounder
The ‘ping’ is king: You can navigate by ‘feel’ over the seabed in adverse conditions by using an echo sounder – here’s how to do it...
Nav in a Nutshell: What is a transit and how are they used in navigation
Lining up a pair of appropriate land features or navigation marks can help keep you safe, as Dick Everitt explains