When your boat’s mainsheet arrangement doesn’t quite do the job it’s not difficult to improve upon it yourself. Here’s how Bob Goode devised his own
Practical
How to get a mirror finish on you boat
Lyndon March explains how to get the perfect mirror finish on your wooden or GRP hull
Cutless bearing replacement: step by step
Stu Davies explains how to fit a cutless bearing on your boat
Is the AIS Net Location Beacon App a good investment for coastal cruising?
Alan Eves is considering using an AIS Net Location Beacon app as a cheaper useful additional aid in poor visibility. Is it a good idea?
How to change a boat engine filter
Stu Davies takes us back to basics and advises on how to change oil, fuel and air filters on your engine
Boat instrument panel and helm refit: step-by-step
Tony Davies shows how he rebuilt the helm position and instrument panel on a 1970s Reinell V-204 sports cruiser
Boat protection: how to prepare your yacht for a storm in harbour
PBO experts and readers share tips on keeping your boat safe in a blow
The pneumatic keel
Ben Lowings talks to Bjorn Haraldsson about his simple air-regulated keel
Why is my boat battery not holding a charge?
Chris Mardon is struggling to understand why his boat battery is not holding a charge. Duncan Kent has some suggestions
How to replace a leaking portlight
Roger Hughes digs out his tools and repairs the leaking portlight on his boat
Electric engine conversion on a Contessa 32
Norman Rubenis gets ‘Thunderstruck’ when he ditches the diesel and converts his Contessa 32 to run on a 10kW electric motor
Bleeding the fuel system on your boat
Basic engine maintenance is essential for boat owners. Stu Davies shows you how to bleed the fuel system
How to prepare your boat for a dream voyage
Kerry and Fraser Buchanan dust off a 30-year-old ambition and ready their Barbican 33 to sail to Greece via the French waterways
Replacing Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS windows
Phil Symonds tackles the problem of aged bonding on the front windows of his 2008-model yacht to maintain value and usage
Boat hatch replacement: fixing a cracked lens
Andy Pag avoids a big bill to replace a hatch lens in the saloon
Sail cleaning the DIY way
Mike Attree shows how he spruced up his genoa in the garden
How to make a wind scoop for under £10
With a previous home-made wind scoop now showing its age, Ann Berry fashions an efficient replacement for less than £10
Boat propeller: How to choose the right one for your boat
The correct prop can have a dramatic effect on your boat's performance. Ali Wood learns how you can save fuel, reduce drag and go faster
How I got insurance for my DIY eBoat
Qualified marine electrician Jamie Marley shares how he finally managed to insure his home-built electric power catamaran
Boat shaft seal replacement: expert tips
Getting to grips with replacing a stern shaft seal on a Contessa 32, Ben Lowings explains how it can be done with the boat in the water