Now we’d decided on batteries for Maximus the next conundrum was how to keep those batteries charged. Premier Marinas had kindly offered us a berth at Chichester Marina for the…
Alison Wood
Features Editor
What battery capacity? Working out your boat’s power requirements
In order to work out your boat’s battery capacity you need to know how much power you’re going to draw, and this requires you to get your head around three…
Boat batteries 101: Which battery is the best choice for my boat?
We’d borrowed a lead acid battery from our marine electrician, Adam McMenemy, which would get the Maxi 84 afloat and through the lock to Chichester marina. However, now she was…
Best boat battery: The pros and cons of the 5 different types of marine batteries
Sometimes (though not on Maximus) there’s a third set of batteries for high power items such as a bow-thruster or electric windlass. Wet lead acid Batteries that have liquid electrolyte…
Boat rewire tips: How we completely rewired the PBO Project Boat
Our marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies switched on the instruments of our Maxi 84, Maximus, and I held my breath. Nothing. We hadn’t expected there to be any life in the…
Leaky boat repair: How we plugged the gaps in the PBO Project Boat
Leaky portholes and portlights are common on cruising boats, but there are several things we can try to solve the issue, as we discovered. In his survey, Ben Sutcliffe-Davies had…
Cold water swimming gear: Everything you need to take the plunge all year round
There’s no better way to lift the spirits than an outdoor swim. Whether you’re a dipper or a swimmer, the experience leaves you tingling all day. I’ve been cold water…
One year on – footballer turned boater Franny Benali speaks to PBO
Ex-premiership footballer Francis ‘Franny’ Benali is a local hero, so it was fitting he opened this year’s Southampton International Boat Show at the helm of a powerboat, which he berthed…
What do you eat on a transatlantic when your boat’s only 1m long?
When you’re aiming for a solo world record, saving space is a priority… and when you’re in a 1m yacht, it’s absolutely crucial! Food needs to be small, longlife and…
Why I’m crossing the Atlantic in the world’s smallest yacht
What’s inspired this world record microyacht attempt? I’ve always dreamed of breaking the world record for the smallest vessel to cross the Atlantic. Big C is just over a metre…
Tried and tested: Typhoon Amrok 50N buoyancy aid, Caliso3 Eco long john and top
Unless you’ve got knee pads, full wetsuits are better than shorts for dinghy sailing, but the long arms can be too hot for summer. A neat solution is the 3mm…
Prepping the rusty keel of the PBO Project boat
In our Maxi 84 boat survey, Ben Sutcliffe-Davies concluded that the antifouling needed to come off and whilst the keel joint was nice and tight there was a lot of…
Removing antifouling – the job I’ll never do again!
After a season on the water and two years in a boatyard, Maximus’s antifouling was old and flaky. We’d been given the 28ft Maxi 84 by PBO reader Daniel Kirtley,…
Best inflatable kayaks for families and beginners
Inflatable kayaks are the ultimate way to have fun with family and friends. No boating experience needed, no faffing around with roof-racks. Just pump and go. So when Decathlon launched…
What is antifouling paint and why is it important to antifoul your boat?
The rougher your hull, the more friction it creates and the slower your boat is in the water. It pays to keep a hull smooth, particularly for motorboats where you…
Cheap antifouling paint? Manufacturers explain how to coat your boat on a budget
What’s your most economical antifouling paint? The lower the level of fouling you’re up against, the cheaper the antifouling paint is likely to be. For low to medium fouling conditions,…
Best dinghy sailing gear for cold weather: Sealskinz accessories put to the test
I was first introduced to Sealskinz when I borrowed some socks for a winter dinghy course. The Beast from the East had brought freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall, and I…
Best changing robe you can wear as a coat
A changing robe is the cold water swimmer’s best friend. Not only do you have a portable changing room but you get a hug with it! It makes the difference…
How does a smart watch work? Garmin Vivoactive 4 on test with pictures
I’ve had my Garmin smart watch for six months now and have taken it up mountains, swum in lakes and the sea, hiked through forests and run across beaches. There’s…
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…