John Connell keeps his spinnaker in check by devising and constructing a home-made spinnaker snuffer
practical
How to replace boat headlining with PVC planking
Roger Hughes replaces old vinyl boat headlining with easy-to-clean white PVC planking
How to fit new rubber port light seals
David Parker describes the process involved in replacing the old rubber seals on his boat's port lights
Replacing gearbox oil seals: step-by-step
Outboard engine gearbox oil seals are vulnerable to damage and can be difficult to remove. Rupert Holmes explains how to change a typical set
How to replace ageing through-hull fittings
In preparation for an extended voyage, Kerry and Fraser Buchanan replace all below waterline through-hulls with composite fittings
Boat lightning strike checklist
The odds of your boat being struck by lightning are low in the UK, but it does happen. Andy Pag shares his lightning strike checklist
How to get the most from your yacht survey
Thinking of buying a new boat? A marine survey could save you a lot of heartache and money in the long run, says Ali Wood
Practical ideas from the Ocean Globe Race yacht Galiana WithSecure
Katy Stickland finds clever design features which can be adapted for cruising yachts while sailing the Swan 55, Galiana WithSecure
5 top causes of boat engine failure – and how to avoid them
Jake Kavanagh talks to Sea Start marine engineer Nick Eales about how to avoid the five major causes of an engine breakdown at sea
How to service an outboard engine: step by step
Stu Davies shares useful maintenance tips on how to keep your 2-stroke and 4-stroke outboard motors running sweetly
Rebuilding an outboard motor gearbox: step-by-step
Small outboard motors can often be a low priority when it comes to maintenance. David Parker found out the hard way that his trusty little engine had been ignored for…
How to repair a heavy-duty zip on a bow dodger
Tony Davies demonstrates how you can restore a broken heavy-duty zip to full working condition
How to rig a spinnaker on a small yacht – what you need and where to fit it
If you want a spinnaker, but don’t have the necessary fittings or equipment on your boat, where do you start?
How to apply KiwiGrip to your deck
Ben Meakins used KiwiGrip deck paint to refresh the non-slip on his boat’s decks last winter – but how well did it cope with a season’s abuse?
Cheap boating: 110 ways to cut the cost of your sailing and cruising
From DIY to learning new skills, mooring, sails and rigging, Ali Wood has some top tips on keeping afloat as affordably as possible
“How I restored my Jeanneau Sun 2000 trailer-sailer at the age of 15”
Jack Gore was just 10 when he became smitten with Victoria. He explains how he turned a neglected Jeanneau Sun 2000 trailer-sailer into his dream boat
22 practical tips for a single handed sailor to make your boat easier to sail
Doctor Tom Miller shares some ideas to help make single handed sailing a safer and more comfortable experience
How to fit a tabernacle to your boat
Fed up with having to employ a crane every time he wanted to take the mast down, Barry Pickthall shows how he installed a tabernacle
How to service your two-speed winch: step-by-step
With spare parts hard to find, Vyv Cox keeps his 15-year-old Gibb winches in fine fettle with a regime of regular maintenance. Here he shows how it’s done
How to service a marine engine cooling system
Is your boat's engine beginning to run hotter than normal? It may be time to service the cooling system, suggests Tony Davies