Zoe Barlow shares her experience of losing a rudder during sustained attacks by orcas whilst sailing her Sun Odyssey 40 from Spain to Morocco.
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Fitting new seacocks and skin fittings on the PBO Project Boat
Maximus, our PBO Project Boat, had four seacock fittings that need changing – three ball valves in the forepeak (1 x 1½in and 2 x ¾in) and one gate valve…
What are the different types of seacock and when should I replace them?
Seacocks – the small valves on the boat’s hull which allow water to flow through – are one of the most important fittings on the whole boat. Seacocks are used…
Best reusable water bottle for adventure sports and sailing
If you asked me a year ago if I’d spend £25 on a water bottle for adventure sports, I’d say absolutely not! Now, having used my Red Original stainless steel…
Spirit stove installation: How make your boat’s galley safer and cheaper to run
Garry Flashman swaps gas for meths to make cooking and a cuppa much safer, easier and cheaper on his replica Nobby
Save the Jubilee Sailing Trust – here’s how it helped my friend Tony
The Jubilee Sailing Trust, a sail training charity that has helped Sam Llewellyn's friend Tony and many others, has launched an urgent appeal
Channel Hopping: Ryan to the Rescue
Some recent videos and articles about migrant rescues have got our resident YouTube fanatic up on a soapbox
Raymarine RL70C troubleshooting: Our expert solves a range problem
Peter Gaskin writes: “I have a problem with the Raymarine RL70C plotter on the boat – it won’t show below three miles range. “We suspected the card and got a…
How to remove gelcoat: Our expert’s advice on sanding back your boat
Antony Cole writes: “I have 50-year-old GRP trimaran with damaged gel coat undersides. “The gelcoat was left rough and pitted by grit blasting to remove the old antifouling and in…
Best trailer sailboats: Our trailer sailing expert offers his recommendations
Paul Adamson from the Isle of Man, writes: “My wife and I are looking to buy a trailer sailboat, mainly for coastal cruising with an overnight before returning to berth.…
“Sir, your boat is on fire” – one PBO reader’s charter trip drama
Prolific Learning from Experience author Chris Mardon recalls a suspicious yacht fire in the Caribbean
Sailing short-cut to spectacular Scottish hiking spots
Norman Inglis rediscovers a love for Scotland’s west coast, one of the best locations in the world to combine sailing with hill walking
A sticky situation – Sam Llewellyn’s musings on stitch and glue construction
Stitch and glue, the bodger’s charter – PBO columnist Sam Llewellyn shares his top tips on avoiding the pitfalls of boatbuilding at home.
New South Wales sailing adventure: 8 lighthouses in 18 hours
Owen Moorhouse recalls a cruise along the coast of New South Wales and reflects on the history and landmarks of his home waters
Rescued Golden Globe contender Abhilash Tomy re-enters race
Abhilash Tomy has re-entered the 2022 Golden Globe Race following extensive rehabilitation from injuries sustained during the 2018 edition
Sailing Orkney’s remote lochs and challenging headlands
Charmian Entwistle discovers ancient ruins, remote lochs and challenging headlands on a four-week Scottish cruise from Isle of Skye to Orkney in a 42ft yacht
“My 38ft yacht was disappearing over the horizon” – a PBO reader makes chase!
Tony Preedy relives a frightening episode from a cruise in Mallorca when his Vancouver 38P, Wild Bird was unintentionally cast adrift while he dined ashore.
Theft of rare £1m lighthouse lantern prompts £5,000 reward and appeal
Crimestoppers is offering a £5,000 reward for information that leads to a stolen lighthouse lantern, one of only three in the world, being recovered
NCA renews warning of criminals targeting small boats
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has renewed an appeal to the UK maritime industry to beware of organised crime groups targeting them to obtain small boats for people smugglers.
“It’s alarming how quickly the fire grows” – Warning over camping stove use on boats
A quick brew turned into a frightening fire aboard a classic wooden boat for PBO contributor Max Liberson.