Outboard SOS: how to fix common engine problems; How to set up and get the most out of your chartplotter; The build of the 100cm…
Practical Boat Owner
January 2026 Issue – out on 20 November
Sailing on sunshine: how to get the most out of your solar panels; Latest advice on installing lithium batteries that every boat owner should read;…
Sailors urged to aid Cyclone Winston recovery efforts
The Ocean Cruising Club is calling for sailors in the South Pacific area to join the Fiji recovery efforts following Cyclone Winston.
Kill cord survey results published
The results of a survey to investigate the causes of kill cord and kill switch failure and the results have been published.
Making headlining panels
The finishing touch to the interior of many boats is the vinyl-covered headlining panel, which can be detached to access under-deck fittings. Jake Kavanagh watches upholsterer Alan Dring make one…
Pushpit gate
Peter Crick makes a gate in his pushpit - which then goes on to save a life!
Anchor light and emergency VHF antenna
Paul Newton mounts an anchor light and emergency VHF antenna on his pushpit
Simple small boat shower
Rick Allender goes back to basics with a low-cost and simple way to shower on a small boat
Yachtsman rescued off Scotland’s coast arrested on international warrant
A sailor who was airlifted to safety after his yacht ran aground off the west coast of Scotland has been arrested on an international warrant.
£1.5million to be invested in Portsmouth’s Haslar Marina
Haslar Marina is installing Rolec’s new electricity service pedestal and upgrading washroom facilities in the first phase of improvement works.
Repairing holes in GRP
If you need to plug a hole in your glassfibre boat, fear not – repairs are easy to make. Jake Kavanagh shows how it’s done and offers some useful tips
DIY engine cooling water alarm
DIY engine cooling water alarm
Remote control for a small auxiliary outboard
Derrick Grover makes a remote throttle and steering control for a small outboard
Whisker pole from a Laser topmast
The spinnaker pole that came with my Jeanneau SO34.2 is stout and reasonably strong, but is a little short to use as whisker pole when goose winging the genoa. More…
Make your own cleat boots
How to make your own cleat boots
Yachtsman airlifted in ‘challenging conditions’ off the coast of Scotland
A yachtsman has been airlifted to safety after running aground off the west coast of Scotland amid strong winds and extremely rough waves.
Two uses for Ikea bed slats
Using Ikea bed slats for a comfortable night's sleep - and as a floor for an Avon Dinghy
Container ship ‘deliberately grounded’ on Bramble Bank in the Solent
The container ship APL Vanda was deliberately run aground on West Bramble Bank in the Solent following 'a loss of power'.
Holding tank for a small boat
David Witton converts a caravan tank to make a holding tank for his small boat
Boat owners urged to check their moorings
As a result of two successive call outs to unmanned drifting vessels, lifeboat volunteers have made a plea to boat owners to check all moorings
Osmosis – the professional treatment
Even the worst cases of osmosis can be professionally treated, and while the process is expensive and time consuming, it will revive the boat and restore its value. Jake Kavanagh…
British rowers rescued after capsizing mid-Atlantic
Four female rowers have been rescued in the Atlantic Ocean after their rowing boat capsized and they lost vital equipment.