Zoran Glozinic does a bit of bilge pump troubleshooting to try and work out why the float-activated switch on his automatic pump won't work
practical
Understanding boat electrics: switches and relays
Pat Manley and Oliver Ballam demystify boat electrics, starting with switches and relays
DIY chartplotter for £200: how to build one at home
John Calton builds his own 10in touchscreen DIY chartplotter with GPS and AIS for a fraction of the cost of an off-the-shelf system
Magnetic mousing for easy wire installation
Winston Collinge uses an easy and attractive way to feed a cable through the length of his mast
Transom repair for a hard tender: step-by-step
Jake Frith explains how to carry out a transom repair for many more years of trouble free service
How do you close the gap between the rudder and propeller?
Practical Boat Owner reader David Blackborow is trying to find out the best way to close the gap between the rudder and propeller on his boat
Repairing a broken boat wind generator
Andy Pag takes apart a Rutland WG1200 turbine to see if he can get it turning smoothly again
How to install boat portholes
Phil Taylor reduces the size of the windows on his Sabre 27 by fitting portholes for offshore sailing
Securing mast cable on our Maxi 84
With the help of ACM Marine, Ali Wood goes about securing mast cable on the Maxi 84 PBO project boat
How to choose the right project boat
How do you distinguish a real bargain boat from one that’s not worth restoring, even if it’s free? Rupert Holmes has some sage advice
Home-built boat: From design research to launch
Chris Comerie uses retirement to fulfil a teenage boatbuild ambition, resulting in a trailable gaff-slooped pocket cruiser
How to choose the right electric outboard engine
Marine electrician Jamie Marley explains what you should look out for when choosing an electric outboard engine for your type of cruising
How do I tell if an old boat engine is beyond repair?
Is it worth buying a boat with a non-running engine? Vyv Cox has some tips on what to look for before deciding if it’s a viable project
Boat exhaust temperature alarm: how to fit one to your boat
Gilbert Park installs a temperature monitor and alarm to prevent costly exhaust hose damage in the event of impeller failure
Marine alternator troubleshooting
Ali Wood gets to grips with Maximus’s faulty electrical system after some unexpected failures made an appearance on passage
Refurbishing a boat alternator
James Wood removes Maximus’s alternator and gets it repaired
Boat battery bank and electrics upgrade
After mid-Atlantic battery failure, John Willis decides it’s time to upgrade his battery bank and electrics
In-mast roller furling problems: how to rebuild a Seldén furling gearbox
Mark Ryan rebuilds his Seldén furling gearbox after wrestling with stiff roller furling for a year and discovers stress-free and easy reefing
Maintenance on a boat: 71-point skipper’s checklist
Make sure your boat is ready to go back in the water with Practical Boat Owner's comprehensive guide
How to make a budget boat water tank and sink
Fitting out a boat of any size can quickly get pricey, so Zoran Glozinic repurposes some ‘non yachting items’ for a small sailing cruiser’s new plumbing system