Seventy yachts left Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, this afternoon in gusty 15-20 knot north-easterlies, headed for Cape Verde. The boats are part of the ARC+ – the sister event to…
Alison Wood
Features Editor
Countdown to ARC+ begins – 2 hours to go
Moderate to strong winds are expected for the start of the ARC+ today in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. Around 70 boats will be taking part in the rally, sailing to…
On ‘tenterhooks’ after mast damage – why we won’t be making the ARC+ start this Sunday
“It could have been much worse,” says New Zealander Simon Pollard, pointing to the coachroof of the Oyster 56, which looks strangely bare without its mast. “It could have come…
The Red waterproof kit bag on test – PLUS what to wear for dinghy sailing
I have a cupboard full of waterproof bags. Some I use for keeping water in (for example, my 40L Musto drybag, which I use for lugging around soggy wetsuits); others…
Fixing the vintage Sailor radio 02 – WOW! Take a look inside…
In part 2 of the Sailor radio restoration, Rob Wells takes the knobs off. The dimmer has to be sawn come off, but he manages to remove the on/off switch…
Fixing the vintage Sailor radio 01 – “making a bit of noise” at the repair shop
Whether for listening to BBC cricket or calling up Dutch harbours, the old Sailor radio is still loved by boat owners! The maritime Sailor radio on the PBO Project Boat…
Franny Benali – “I thought boating was beyond my means”
After 389 games with Southampton Football Club, Francis Benali retired from football and raised £1m for Cancer Research. In 2014 he ran between every Premier League ground, covering over 1,000…
PBO editor announces departure after four years in post
PBO editor, Rob Melotti, is stepping down after four years as editor of the UK’s biggest boating magazine. Future Publishing is keen to hear from candidates to fill the role.…
Snotter trick – how to prolong the life of your sealant
Next time you work with a marine sealant, be sure to leave it hanging, and don’t be tempted to remove the erm… snotty bit that dangles from the bottom. When…
Fixing leaks – how to reseal a leaky deck vent
Leaks are inevitable on an old boat, and deck vents are a common cause. Over time the sealant simply breaks down, there’s play in the vent and water finds its…
Violent storm rages through Portugal boatyard – 60-knot winds from the top of a boat cradle!
Witnessing a violent storm from your boat is always unnerving, especially when it hits without warning. Fortunately we were in the yard and not at anchor. The Algarve in Portugal…
Day 1 on Maximus – pressure washing and bailing… and more bailing!
I couldn’t wait for my dad to meet Maximus. It was Dad who introduced me to sailing as a kid on Compstall lake in Cheshire. My earliest memory is watching…
Maximus – these sails sound ok but the UV strip is degraded
Good news – the sails on Maximus seem to be in good condition, apart from the UV strip. During the survey of the Maxi 84, Ben Sutcliffe-Davies warned that there’s…
Project Boat survey revealed – old seacocks, dangerous gas, leaks and more…
A boat survey is really important for anyone buying – or even acquiring – a secondhand boat. Last month we asked marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies to take a look at…
Replacing seacocks on Maximus – chuck ’em out and start again
The worn seacocks on PBO Project Boat Maximus are going to have to go. During the survey of the 28ft Maxi 84, marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies points out that they’re…
Local council saves grassroots sailing club
Dorset sailors returned to the water this month after their club was threatened with closure. The club, which was affiliated to Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre (HHOEC), was saved by…
How safe is your boat gas oven? Marine surveyor condemns Maximus’s oven
Is your boat gas oven safe? “A lot of people own boat ovens like this one,” says marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe Davies. “However, what’s worrying is when you see the…
Drinking bilge water! Lifesaver Liberty water filtration bottle on test
Drinking bilge water isn’t something you do every day, but it seemed like a great opportunity to test the Lifesaver Liberty filtration bottle. After all, two years of stagnant brown…
How to detect gas leaks on boats – a handy tool that could save your life
Detecting gas leaks on boats is important, especially as gas standards on boats were very different 40 years ago. Sadly the PBO Project Boat Maximus is going to require a…
Wally the Walrus: boat owners asked to block bathing platforms
Boat owners in St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly have been asked to block bathing platforms and gently deflect Wally the Walrus with an oar if he attempts to board their…