What do I need to do when overcoating Coppercoat? The former technical manager for International Paint, Richard Jerram has the answer
Expert Answers
Who owns a boat write-off?
Where does the responsibility for a boat write-off lie? RYA paralegal Lucy Rutter has the answer
Diesel shelf life and the infamous bug
Julian Orchard wants to know what the shelf life is for diesel and what he can do to prevent diesel bug. Stu Davies answers his question
What can I use to lubricate metal?
Colin Staples wants to know what is the best product to lubricate metal to keep his stiffened outboard bracket moving freely
How do I get rid of a mystery boat smell?
PBO reader Simon Bennett is struggling to get rid of a strange boat smell, which is permeating his clothing and his tools. Ben Sutcliffe-Davies answers his question
How to remove mouldy stains from interior woodwork – Ask the experts
Kevin Woods from Dublin writes: “I have a 1991 Feeling 286 Special. Some of its timber interior is stained by black lines in the grain – as you can see…
Loss of engine power under load: expert advice to solve the problem
Anne Cees Houtman has a problem with a loss of engine power under load. PBO's engine whisperer, Stu Davies thinks he has the answer
When to treat boat osmosis
When does boat osmosis need treating? PBO reader Alastair Hutchison Dorchester asked our experts
Petrol or diesel, inboard or outboard: which boat engine is best?
When it comes to a boat engine, which is best? Petrol or diesel, inboard or outboard? Stu Davies answers your questions
I need help understanding my marine alternator! Ask the experts
PBO reader Paul Farr wants help in understanding his marine alternator. Engine whisperer Stu Davies comes to his aid
Bonding marine windows back in: the best gasket sealant
PBO reader Nicholas Phillips wants advice on the best gasket sealant for bonding his marine windows. Our expert Sven Petersen has this advice…
How do I tidy my battery connections? Ask the experts
PBO reader Stuart Boyd has a question about untidy battery connections. Our expert Duncan Kent has this advice…
Connecting boat solar panel chargers? Ask the experts
Barbara Mortimer writes: “I have a motorboat with three battery banks (engine, house and anchor winch) charged by the alternator via a Sterling ProSplit R. “I also have a mains…
How to service a marine diesel engine in 12 simple steps
It was time to service the marine diesel engine on our Maxi 84 cruiser. Knowing how to diagnose and fix engine faults is a useful skill for any boat owner,…
How Perkins marine engines became world-famous
The Volvo Penta engine on our Maxi 84 Maximus is a re-badged version of the Perkins 103-06, itself originally imported from a Japanese company called Ishikawajima Shibaura Machinery. Perkins marketed…
How an intercooled engine works
With an inter-cooled engine, the role of the seawater is to take away the heat from the freshwater. The seawater, or ‘raw water’, is a separate flow to the fresh…
How to clean a carburettor: Our expert’s view on ultrasonic cleaners
Paul Carey writes: “In recent issues of Practical Boat Owner there has been some discussion on the problems of stale petrol clogging up or leading to poor performance of outboard…
Does impeller orientation really matter? Ask the experts
Chris Mardon writes: “I was always told that when replacing the impeller on my diesel engine raw water pump I should make sure the blades were folded in the swept…
Propeller antifoul: Our expert’s top tips for sticking paint to a prop
Andy Peach writes: “What’s the best preparation and antifouling paint to use on a propeller and P-bracket? “I’d heard that lanolin was worth a try but when I lifted the…
Smoking boat engine? Our expert explains what could be wrong
Gunter Bock from Norway writes: “I read in PBO’s November 2021 issue about exhaust elbow problems. You recommended replacing the reader’s damaged iron elbow with a new one in stainless…