From steering to rigging (and all the things we forget!) – the essential checks for the prepared skipper; Displacement theory and how it affects the…
Practical Boat Owner
November 2025 issue – out 25 September
Banish damp on board your boat! The benefits of solar, hydro and wind..and what can go wrong; 6 legendary boats which shaped design, 12,000 mile…
Best sextants: 5 plastic options under £400 for taking a noon sight
In the mid-seventies I sailed a small boat from the UK to Tahiti, crossing the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific. My primary navigation tool was a plastic sextant, with timing provided…
Save the Jubilee Sailing Trust – here’s how it helped my friend Tony
The Jubilee Sailing Trust, a sail training charity that has helped Sam Llewellyn's friend Tony and many others, has launched an urgent appeal
How to charter a yacht: Your essential guide to the world of yacht vacations
What’s not to love about a yacht charter holiday? Skippered holidays are ideal for anyone feeling rusty or wishing to take advantage of a local guide and sailing coach to…
Channel Hopping: Ryan to the Rescue
Some recent videos and articles about migrant rescues have got our resident YouTube fanatic up on a soapbox
Celestial navigation books: Best guides to navigating by the sun and stars
I have always considered the ‘noon sight’ to be something romantic and intellectually interesting. Having learned from books how to get a fix by measuring the altitude of the sun,…
Remote working tips: How I set up my 36ft yacht for offshore work
There are three key elements needed for reliable remote working: adequate charging systems, a good data connection and protection for your kit. Remote working kit: charging systems Charging equipment has…
Electric sailboat conversion: How my Parker Super Seal went zero-emissions
Aiming to do our bit for the environment, we recently made a number of lifestyle changes – and one of them was converting our Parker Super Seal yacht into an…
Offshore weather forecasts: An alternative solution for receiving weatherfax information
When offshore, the ability to receive weather forecasts when there is no phone or VHF reception is crucial as it gives you the time to avoid or prepare for a…
Best satellite phones: What to look for when buying a satphone
Some, such as the Thuraya SatSleeve Plus, transform your own phone into a satellite device, while Iridium Go works with up to five smartphones using an app. Others, such as…
Raymarine RL70C troubleshooting: Our expert solves a range problem
Peter Gaskin writes: “I have a problem with the Raymarine RL70C plotter on the boat – it won’t show below three miles range. “We suspected the card and got a…
How to remove gelcoat: Our expert’s advice on sanding back your boat
Antony Cole writes: “I have 50-year-old GRP trimaran with damaged gel coat undersides. “The gelcoat was left rough and pitted by grit blasting to remove the old antifouling and in…
Best trailer sailboats: Our trailer sailing expert offers his recommendations
Paul Adamson from the Isle of Man, writes: “My wife and I are looking to buy a trailer sailboat, mainly for coastal cruising with an overnight before returning to berth.…
“Sir, your boat is on fire” – one PBO reader’s charter trip drama
Prolific Learning from Experience author Chris Mardon recalls a suspicious yacht fire in the Caribbean
Sailing short-cut to spectacular Scottish hiking spots
Norman Inglis rediscovers a love for Scotland’s west coast, one of the best locations in the world to combine sailing with hill walking
A sticky situation – Sam Llewellyn’s musings on stitch and glue construction
Stitch and glue, the bodger’s charter – PBO columnist Sam Llewellyn shares his top tips on avoiding the pitfalls of boatbuilding at home.
New South Wales sailing adventure: 8 lighthouses in 18 hours
Owen Moorhouse recalls a cruise along the coast of New South Wales and reflects on the history and landmarks of his home waters
Rescued Golden Globe contender Abhilash Tomy re-enters race
Abhilash Tomy has re-entered the 2022 Golden Globe Race following extensive rehabilitation from injuries sustained during the 2018 edition
Sailing Orkney’s remote lochs and challenging headlands
Charmian Entwistle discovers ancient ruins, remote lochs and challenging headlands on a four-week Scottish cruise from Isle of Skye to Orkney in a 42ft yacht
“My 38ft yacht was disappearing over the horizon” – a PBO reader makes chase!
Tony Preedy relives a frightening episode from a cruise in Mallorca when his Vancouver 38P, Wild Bird was unintentionally cast adrift while he dined ashore.
Theft of rare £1m lighthouse lantern prompts £5,000 reward and appeal
Crimestoppers is offering a £5,000 reward for information that leads to a stolen lighthouse lantern, one of only three in the world, being recovered