Understanding tidal streams and heights is essential for passage planning and safe navigation. The RYA's former chief examiner, James Stevens, explains how
Practical Boat Owner
Repairing an inflatable dinghy: fixing holes
Paul Diamond repairs a dinghy that was chewed by rodents
What happens to boat electrical systems and batteries if submerged?
After fitting an electric engine to his 19ft river boat, Bob Shillito thought he could look forward to years of hassle free cruising, until his boat sank
Electric-powered boat for under £8,000
Bob Shillito converts his classic 19ft (5.8m) clinker boat for near-silent river cruising
Hull plank repair on a boat: step-by-step
With a few practical woodworking skills anyone should be able to replace a plank on a carvel-built wooden hull, as Richard Johnstone-Bryden discovers
Making a lifting keel easier to raise
After struggling with a heavy lifting keel, Brian Johnson builds a simple tackle to make light of the problem
How to fit an adjustable backstay
Bob Goode improves his Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32’s sail handling by replacing the original fixed wire split backstay
How I built a galley box for my boat
Ben Russell adds basic cooking facilities to his motorboat
How to make boat feet to keep you level
Charles Beddingfield finds a way to stay level on a drying mud mooring
Want to build a stitch and glue boat? Get your design plans and start now!
Due to popular demand, Tim Owen shares his stitch-and-glue design ideas for a rigid 8ft plywood rowing dinghy. He built his 50 years ago in 24 hours – it’s still…
Thames tidal lesson – getting stuck in the mud motorboating in central London
Faith Merrett gets stuck in the mud while cruising from Teddington to St Katharine Docks Marina in Central London aboard her Haines river cruiser
Overhauling the DC boat electrics on a 38ft boat
Richard Thomson explains how he gave his 1983 Trident Marine Voyager 38’s electrical system a complete and cost effective overhaul.
Boat battery care: the do’s and the don’ts
Stuart James of Predator Batteries shares his expert tips for achieving optimum battery performance on board your boat
What I learned skippering on my first extended cruise: one teenage sailor shares his story
Teenage sailor Jack Gore makes a first extended trip in company with his family and other yacht club members on an East Coast cruise
How a rogue water bottle led to a Mayday in a storm
Learning from experience: Steven Copeland reflects on how a rogue water bottle led to a stormy rescue off the coast of Pwllheli, north west Wales.
Is foiling really the future of cruising?
Foiling technology has revolutionised the world of sailboat racing, but can it make its way to cruising yachts too? Saša Fegić reports
Yachting in the Mediterranean with children
Antoni Mazur reflects on six-years of a back and forth liveaboard dream, family yachting in the Mediterranean, in between UK life and work commitments
French canal boating: the essential kit
Julian and Vanessa Dussek took their Southerly 115 down through France to the Med, about 1,000 miles. Listed here are items they found essential or desirable
The pioneers: Teddy Seymour & Bill Pinkney
H.E. Ross looks at the lives of the first African American sailors to sail solo around the world
Sailing solo: how to go from crewed to single-handed
Round the world sailor Ian Herbert-Jones shares valuable advice on how to transition from crewed to single-handed sailing