Rupert Holmes looks at the key issues to consider when the time comes to prepare a boat for a winter lay-up period ashore| Practical Boat Owner
After a midnight steering failure, one boat owner learns a hard lesson about the "fiddly" but essential maintenance of remote outboard steering After a midnight steering failure, one boat owner learns a hard lesson about the "fiddly" but essential maintenance of remote outboard steering| Practical Boat Owner
Discover how a boat owner uses a simple air compressor and a collection of versatile air tools to tackle a boat's toughest sanding and cleaning jobs. Discover how a boat owner uses a simple air compressor and a collection of versatile air tools to tackle a boat's toughest sanding and cleaning jobs.| Practical Boat Owner
Fast - Clive's modified Smacks boat Neva showing off her large North Sea Sails mainsail. Credit: Clive Marsh.All Smacks Boats are fitted to the owner's specifications. Clive compares two that he has owned, one fast and one comfortable. In my quest to find the perfect trailer-sailer I’ve owned two Smacks Boats – one was fast, the other more …Continue reading »| Practical Boat Owner
Answering a reader question on maintaining compass accuracy. Should you keep a VHF radio and its aerial cables well away from the boat’s compass? Ever wondered what you can do to maintain compass accuracy? You’re not the only one. Reader Sue Johnson sent in …Continue reading »| Practical Boat Owner
Jasmine Harrison on Numbatou in Antigua. Credit: Don McIntyre / CG580T/ MGR2025Catch up on the latest updates from the Mini Globe Race 2025 Leg 3, including highlights from the stopover and strategic choices from the race's top contenders. Spirits high and water-tanks freshly topped up, the last of the Mini Globe Race 2025 fleet is setting off for …Continue reading »| Practical Boat Owner
Neil Fuller’s antifouling skirt in place ready for work to begin. Photo: Neil Fuller.Neil Fuller keeps his boat dry while antifouling with a simple DIY hull skirt made of waste pipe, fittings, and a polythelene dust sheet. Ever thought of making a hull skirt? Getting fed up with the yearly grind and expense of antifouling Koto’s bottom …Continue reading »| Practical Boat Owner
Round the world yachtswoman Dee Caffari and Otley Sailing Club's Rob McCandless with a Sunsail marketing executive Lucy Castle at the Southampton International Boat Show. Credit: SunsailOtley Sailing Club from West Yorkshire, will use the Sunsail's Funding the Future grand prize of £6,000 to revitalise old Laser dinghies to make sailing more accessible for adult club members. Otley Sailing Club from West Yorkshire, will use the Sunsail's Funding the Future grand prize of £6,000 to revitalis...| Practical Boat Owner
One of the failed engine mounts Ben Sutcliffe-Davies shares with the audience at his awareness talks. Photo: Ali Wood.Engine mounts are crucial but often overlooked part of your boat. Ben Sutcliffe-Davies explains how often you should replace them, and what happens when they break down and fail. Marine engine mounts are designed to isolate engine vibration noise from the boat’s structure. They’re susceptible to diesel and water …Continue reading »| Practical Boat Owner
Contents of a Sunsail technician’s toolbox to cover many jobs on board. Photo: Katy Stickland.Stu Davies explains the essential tools for a boat, and what he keeps handy to make sure he can tackle (almost) any job on board. What tools do you really need for a boat? Say you now own a new or new-to-you boat, and you’re …Continue reading »| Practical Boat Owner
Excessively low water levels have left hundreds of boats stranded, including Adam McKinstry’s 45ft Oakwood at Gargrave since May"We need sustained rain over a number of weeks to recover" say Canal & River Trust experts, as drought causes challenges for boaters, marine businesses, holidaymakers and the UK's largest canal charity. Boats have been left stranded in canals, navigation restricted, and businesses “exceptionally quiet” during peak summer months across the inland waterways of En...| Practical Boat Owner
Ella Hibbert is attempting to sail solo around the Arctic Circle28-year-old Ella Hibbert is the first British woman to sail solo through the Northwest Passage during her Arctic circumnavigation 28-year-old Ella Hibbert is the first British woman to sail solo through the Northwest Passage during her Arctic circumnavigation| Practical Boat Owner
The formerly boatfolk-run Haslar Marina is among those now under the ownership of Premier Marinas. Credit: boatfolkPremier Marinas has confirmed the acquisition of boatfolk's 11 marinas – bringing its combined portfolio to 22 sites across the UK Premier Marinas has confirmed the acquisition of Boatfolk's 11 marinas – bringing its combined portfolio to 22 sites across the UK| Practical Boat Owner
Is the wheel a comfortable size for the helm? Photo: Nic Compton. Ali Wood explains the different kinds of cockpits available, and how to upgrade the space so that you can stop battling with deck gear and tripping over ropes. Whether you’re buying a new boat or refitting an older one, the cockpit deserves consideration; probably more than you think. …Continue reading »| Practical Boat Owner
Join PBO's engine expert Stu Davies as he demystifies the maintenance of a classic two-stroke outboard, sharing essential tips, common problem fixes, and the surprising appeal of these lightweight workhorses. This video is powered by Machine Mart tools Join PBO's engine expert Stu Davies as he demystifies the maintenance of a classic two-stroke outboard, sharing essential tips, common problem fixes, and the surprising appeal of these lightweight workhorses. This video is powered by Machine Ma...| Practical Boat Owner
Join PBO's engine expert Stu Davies as he runs through the checks and maintenance needed to revamp and protect an outboard engine leg to keep it running in tip-top condition. This video is powered by Machine Mart tools Join PBO's engine expert Stu Davies as he runs through the checks and maintenance needed to revamp and protect an outboard engine leg to keep it running in tip-top condition. This video is powered by Machine Mart tools| Practical Boat Owner
Could you replace your in-mast halyard line?Steve Langton threads a new line down through a mast Steve Langton threads a new line down through a mast| Practical Boat Owner
Never be afraid to pull forward and give reversing another go!Reversing your trailer is daunting, but with practice can be satisfying. David Pugh explains the knack Reversing your trailer is daunting, but with practice can be satisfying. David Pugh explains the knack| Practical Boat Owner
Twin rudders generally enhance steering control and manoeuvrability, particularly at low speeds and when heeling. Credit: Paul WyethDelivery skipper Ben Lowings examines how different popular rudder designs affect handling, and explains how to maintain them Delivery skipper Ben Lowings examines how different popular rudder designs affect handling, and explains how to maintain them| Practical Boat Owner
‘London 2012 was not the swansong for Weymouth and Portland, it was the launchpad.’ Credit: Dorset Media Service/Alamy In its 150th year, Laura Hodgetts explores the Royal Yachting Association’s evolution over a century-and-a-half from ‘gentlemen racers’ to a world-leading national boating body In its 150th year, Laura Hodgetts explores the Royal Yachting Association’s evolution from ‘gentlemen racers’ to a world-leading national boating body| Practical Boat Owner
Peter Draper explains what’s required for a marine gas system to be safe and legal, and how to assess the condition of the gas system on your boat| Practical Boat Owner
Tweaks on board means you can keep sailing and boating for longer. Credit: Gilbert ParkGilbert Park explains the tweaks he has made to his boat to future-proofing his time afloat Gilbert Park explains the tweaks he has made to his boat to future-proofing his time afloat| Practical Boat Owner
Illustration by Claudia Myatt.Solo sailor Owen Moorhouse, now 97 and still living aboard, recalls how catching a warning on the radio allowed him to get to safety with just hours to spare. Solo sailor owen Moorhouse built his first 11ft Vee Jay as a teenager and has enjoyed a lifetime of yacht …Continue reading »| Practical Boat Owner
New Lasdrop seal showing the water lubrication hose, spare seals on the shaft and the head of a bilge pump below the shaft on Will’s Jersey 36. Photo: Will Renilson.Will Renilson replaces his Jersey 36 motor boat shaft seal before aligning the engine with the stern tube. When we were having issues with our boat’s shaft seal, every marine engineer we talked to has said that you …Continue reading »| Practical Boat Owner
The Invicta 12 under tow with her original gunter rig. Photo: Clive Marsh.Clive Marsh tells the story of how he came across an Invicta 12, the classic dinghy that started his small boat collection, and how it taught him the importance of a tight snotter. There’s only the Invicta 12 to blame for getting me into collecting small boats. New Zealand is one of the …Continue reading »| Practical Boat Owner
Philip Kidson gives his quick tip for fitting a water pump into a remote container. I recently wanted to fit a small Whale electric water pump into my water container to supply the galley spout …Continue reading »| Practical Boat Owner
Illustration by Claudia Myatt.Trevor Martin recalls a test voyage that taught him almost all he needed to know for the next 20 years of sailing. My first test voyage onboard my boat Draken was, to say the least, quite a rude awakening. After years of dinghy …Continue reading »| Practical Boat Owner
Afloat, the Laser 16 "handles like a big boat", ashore she's sufficiently compact to be handled easily, says Wendy FitzpatrickAt last, a proper trailer sailer, says Wendy Fitzpatrick of the Laser 16 cruising dinghy, in a review for the December 1987 issue of Practical Boat Owner At last, a proper trailer sailer, says Wendy Fitzpatrick of the Laser 16 cruising dinghy, in a review for the December 1987 issue of Practical Boat Owner| Practical Boat Owner
Owen Brown did his figures for foresail load on a pre-tensioned mast. Credit: Tasfoto/AlamyYour yacht’s rig remains upright thanks to the right balance of compression and deflection, as Owen Brown explains Your yacht’s rig remains upright thanks to the right balance of compression and deflection, as Owen Brown explains| Practical Boat Owner
The Southampton Boat Show will run over 10 daysThe UK's biggest boating and watersports festival returns to Southampton in September, with a new layout and stages The UK's biggest boating and watersports festival returns to Southampton in September, with a new layout and stages| Practical Boat Owner
How much foredeck work will you have to do? Check how the lines are ledWhat should you look out for before sailing an unfamiliar yacht? Nathan Zhart explains to Erin Carey the essential checks before putting to sea What should you look out for before sailing an unfamiliar yacht? Nathan Zhart explains to Erin Carey the essential checks before putting to sea| Practical Boat Owner
After 11 years under the harsh Australian sun John Tylor’s sail cover was falling apart. Here’s how he brought it back to life...| Practical Boat Owner
Practical Boat Owner was launched in 1967 - since when it has consistently outsold every other yachting magazine in Britain.| Practical Boat Owner
How we fund the content that you read on Practical Boat Owner| Practical Boat Owner
Nobody gets every tricky marina berthing manoeuvre right first time – but what do you do if things don’t go as planned? David Harding shares an escape route| Practical Boat Owner
James Wood picks his favourite shipwrecks, from warships and ill-fated expeditions to Bronze Age cargo vessels and Spanish treasure troves| Practical Boat Owner
Practical Boat Owner reader Tom Fox ponders if a qualified welder could weld anchor chain. Metallurgist Vyv Cox explains what to consider| Practical Boat Owner
Ben Meakins finds out why – and how – PBO readers go racing in their cruising boats, and finds it is a fun way to gain some boat handling skills| Practical Boat Owner
PBO reader Jenny Spear wants advice on how to improve the performance of her boat's headsail. Ian Brown has this brief guide to headsail trim| Practical Boat Owner
Ian Wyllie has completed a solo circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland in the Vancouver 27, Trilleen, he restored in parallel to his own rehabilitation.| Practical Boat Owner
To make the most of available space for overnight trips, David Parker shows how he built an additional cockpit berth on his Seaward 23| Practical Boat Owner
Chris Mardon fixesa jammed swivel car on the furling genoa aboard his Dufour 40| Practical Boat Owner
Gilbert Park shares lessons learned from a messy black water pump reinstallation job that may have saved his boat during a French cruising holiday.| Practical Boat Owner
Surveyor Nick Vass examines different skin fittings and seacocks on the market and shares advice on how to maintain them.| Practical Boat Owner
Genevieve Leaper explains why, in some circumstances, using a shore line to keep the boat secure makes perfect sense| Practical Boat Owner
Jazz Turner's highs and lows of a record-breaking voyage – including Ben Ainslie and dolphin support while battling chronic pain and challenging weather| Practical Boat Owner
Abandoned boats and end-of-life vessels are a growing problem and environmental concern, agree UK harbour authorities, sailors and community groups.| Practical Boat Owner
Alison Wood talks to experienced cruisers to get some top tips for summer sailing and making the most of your time afloat| Practical Boat Owner
Practical Boat Owner Magazine Online combines a vast, easily-navigated, searchable database of boats for sale and marine products and services with the editorial excellence of Britain's biggest selling yachting magazine| Practical Boat Owner
Rob Melotti and the PBO test team put some lightweight, portable inflatable dinghies through their paces in Lymington to find the best inflatable boat| Practical Boat Owner
Ben Lowings looks at the pros and cons of multihulls and monohulls, covering handling, sailing performance and accommodation| Practical Boat Owner
The correct boat propeller can have a dramatic effect on performance. Ali Wood learns how you can save fuel, reduce drag and go faster| Practical Boat Owner
Ali Wood explains how with windvane self-steering gear, you can harness the power of the wind and sea to cruise efficiently| Practical Boat Owner