I recently wanted to fit a small Whale electric water pump into my water container to supply the galley spout of my boat here in Taupo, New Zealand. But to…
Tip of the Day, repairs and advice
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…
Cleaning battery acid spills
What to use to avoid burns
Boat insurance – 10 essential questions to ask your insurer
Make sure you're covered
Reef early when sailing downwind
It seems light until you turn around!
De-craze a compass bowl
Can't see your compass card for UV damage?
Got an e-Reader for Christmas?
It's a good practical tool on board, too....
Sailing in Strong Winds – bearing away
You won't be able to bear away unless....
Spill-free refuelling
Don't spill a drop
Understanding storms – ‘wind before rain’
Take note of the development of a frontal system
Tips for a Spinnaker broach
Don't lose your head in a broach... Keep hold of the guy!
Lifting out quickly and easily
Clearly mark the lifting points on the hull of your boat
Save your pockets!
Winch handle pockets degrade over time and end up looking dirty and messy – so stick them on with industrial-strength Velcro and keep them down below when the boat’s not…
When installing transducers
Give the o rings a smear
Drill holes in gelcoat without a crack
...and how to stop it cracking
No drips or spills when painting
An elastic band is your saviour...
Dropping a spinnaker
Use the mainsail to blanket it
Making compression joints with copper pipe
How much should you tighten the nuts?
How to strip boat paint with a heat gun
Heat the scraper, not the paint!
Applying filler
Flexible scrapers are best