“How do you get from one lake to another?” My brother Jack, a ferry captain, wanted to know when I said I was off to sail a cruising yacht on…
Top stories
Pip Hare: ‘I now have a fighting chance for Vendée Globe 2024 success’
The six month refit aims to give Pip Hare's Imoca 60 Medallia "a fighting chance" against the 13 new-build boats, costing some £8million each, which will be joining her on…
Adding a bowsprit to your boat
Nearly every new boat has a bowsprit, but what about older yachts? Rupert Holmes looks at what is available on the market for owners of older vessels
Lifeboat and working boat conversions
The basic shape of a traditional lifeboat is a long shallow keel, double ended and beamy – ideal for conversion into a cruising boat
Man overboard statistics: 47% of MOBs from recreational boats end in a fatality
Latest figures published by the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) reveal that 47% of reported man overboard incidents from recreational boats ends in a fatality
What I learned from my Croatian family charter on a 40ft catamaran
A skippered flotilla charter on the Dalmatian Coast is a dream come true for Laura Hodgetts, but can she really relax as a (last-minute) lone parent with two pre-schoolers and…
Can a phone with satellite connectivity replace an EPIRB?
Is a phone with satellite connectivity a good replacement for the EPIRB? PBO expert Rupert Holmes answers the question
Cruising the Northern Sporades out of season
Popular with charter yachts in summer, Genevieve Leaper explores these Greek islands at the quieter end of the season
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
How to fix a leak in the marine engine cooling system
Stu Davies advises PBO reader Richard Jales how to solve a leak in his boat's marine engine cooling system
Jester Challenge folkboat Minke is found – but sailor Duncan Lougee is missing
A 25ft yacht that disappeared whilst sailing from Plymouth, Devon to Ireland as part of the Jester Baltimore Challenge fleet has been found, but solo skipper Duncan Lougee was not…
Put your questions to Jeanne Socrates
Have you got a question for solo record-breaking offshore sailor Jeanne Socrates? The Cruising Association and PBO will be in conversation with the skipper to mark Women in Marine Day…
Repairing a broken boat wind generator
Andy Pag takes apart a Rutland WG1200 turbine to see if he can get it turning smoothly again
Seajet Bioclean silicone antifoul review: Our verdict after one year on the water
Does silicone antifouling work? It’s not flying off the shelves yet, according to suppliers, but the results from our Project Boat are promising. In fact, in the words of the…
How to install boat portholes
Phil Taylor reduces the size of the windows on his Sabre 27 by fitting portholes for offshore sailing
How to launch a trailer sailer (and the key mistakes to avoid)
George was helping to launch his friend’s boat and asked if Paul and I could give them a hand. My friend George knows nothing about boats, his involvement was as…
How sailing gear has changed over the decades
Peter Poland reflects on pulling out the lead line, lobbing a Walker log over the stern and unpacking a sextant versus modern sailing gear
“Just as I was thinking about cutting the engine, the decision was made for me”
Sailing, with the wind, sea and tides, is a sport ever ready to reward complacency with challenge. From an estuary dinghy sailor to an ocean voyager, there are endless opportunities…
EDZ Merino wool leggings and top: tried and tested
Ali Wood tests EDZ Merino wool leggings and top over the winter and is impressed
Red Original beanie and headband: tried and tested
Ali Wood tests Red Original's beanie hat and headband to find out if it keeps her warm from the elements