Thinking of having a boat survey? If so, take a look at this video of marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies as he performs a pre-purchase survey on Maximus, a Maxi 84.…
Practical
Dangerous gas locker – how to do the bucket test to check your locker is safe
Is your gas locker safe? If it looks anything like this one then it’s not… In this video, marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies inspects the gas locker of Maximus, the PBO…
How the diesel engine works – take a look at Maximus’s Volvo saildrive
Checking the diesel engine after a long lay-up is an essential task before launching any boat, says marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies. “The last thing you want to be doing is…
SSB radio antenna: How can I install one on my boat? Our expert answers
Q: I recently bought a NASA Target HF3 SSB radio antenna receiver. The manual that came with it is OK but the instructions for the antenna includes a diagram of…
Storing your boat ashore? Make sure it’s level: Maximus survey tip
“When boats are stored ashore it’s really important to make sure they’re stored fairly level,” says Ben Sutcliffe-Davies. “Here in the cockpit you’ve ended up with a fantastic compost.” Article…
Copper antifouling: Will it corrode my metal hull? Our expert answers your question
Q: I was wondering about maybe going down the Coppercoat route for my 32ft steel Wylo II. Is copper antifouling a practical proposition for a steel boat? From the electrolysis…
Antifouling – when is it time to scrape back? Maximus survey begins…
When is it time to strip back antifouling? The PBO Project Boat survey is underway, and in this video marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies looks at Maximus’s hull and explains which…
Should I get a bow thruster? Our expert answers your question
Q: I have a Vancouver 32 and I’m considering fitting a bow thruster as it’s a long keel yacht and berthing can sometimes be challenging. But I’m not sure of…
Seasickness remedies: 20 ways to fight mal de mer without medication
You never forget your first time. As we left the wind shadow of Rønne on the island of Bornholm, Denmark, my belly began to boil as the 30-knot gusts and…
Summer sailing: 11 last-minute checks to prepare your boat
Summer sailing usually involves greater distances and spending longer periods than usual on board, and this can trigger some of the breakdowns and breakages that are, to some extent, an…
Wooden boat restoration: the Youtube channel following four years in a boatyard
It was October 2015, I was 30 years old, and dreaming of sailing the world some day, perhaps even owning a gaffer of my own. By weekday, I was a…
The PBO Project boat survey – and why every new boat owner should have one
If you’re thinking of buying a new boat – or maybe you’ve inherited one or are renovating a wreck – you should really consider booking a boat survey. PBO was…
Why I chose serial electric hybrid propulsion with lead carbon batteries for my narrow boat
During the first lockdown in March 2020, my wife, Kay, and I began musing about the possibility of trying to be a bit greener in the forthcoming build of our…
“Why I’m giving up Maximus, my 5-berth cruising boat”
Last month, Practical Boat Owner got a surprise email from reader Daniel Kirtley, asking if we wanted his 28ft cruiser Maximus, as a project boat. “Following a well-trodden path I…
Meet Maximus, the new PBO Project Boat!
I never thought I’d own a boat. I’ve grown-up around yachts; cruised them, raced them, occasionally skippered them, but now, thanks to Practical Boat Owner, I’m the proud custodian of…
Sail repair – how to extend the life of your mainsail
After 24,000 miles – including three visits to the Azores, racing round Britain and Ireland and a foray into the Atlantic – it was a simple day-race (round the Isle…
Famous boat restorations – when is it time to give up?
A boat restoration is an emotive topic. Those who sail regularly develop a strong affection for their vessel. They might moan about her quirks and shortcomings but should anyone agree…
How to replace your sprayhood windows
Do you have a foggy view? Don’t throw away your expensive sprayhood or awning – you can replace the windows for just a few pounds, says Jake Kavanagh
Dangerous gas hoses – make sure your boat’s rubber piping doesn’t look like this!
When did you last check your gas hoses? In this video, PBO expert and marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies, discovers something that ‘sickens him’. “This boat was built in 1984 and…
Boat electronics repair: How to fix your boat’s instruments
If you can solder it’s always worth taking things apart and having a go at repairing them as a last resort before paying for a replacement. In this boat electronics…