An independent study on seven types of leisure boat antifouling paint has found that biocide-free silicone paint worked best, and a paint marketed as environmentally friendly was ‘extremely toxic’.
boating
Westerly at 60: the largest owners’ association in the world
As the Westerly Owners’ Association marks its 60th anniversary, Laura Hodgetts explores the history of these beloved GRP classics
Renewed call for alcohol limits for leisure boaters
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is calling for drink-drive limits for non-professional mariners, after a double fatality.
eNav in a Nutshell: Passage planning in the digital age
Using digital sources to answer basic navigational questions can take some of the hard work out of passage planning and making… explains Craig Burton, head of training operations at the…
Yacht club using AI community watch system to combat boat crime
Sailing club members are using MoorMesh – an AI-boosted community watch system to tackle thieves targeting yachts on remote moorings
Sailors’ Choice Awards: Nominate the gear that really works for you
Be part of Practical Boat Owner's Sailors’ Choice Awards – as we put the best sailing equipment, gear and customer service in the spotlight.
Seafarer charter and boat club holidays celebrates 30th year
Independent charter yacht and boat club holiday specialists Seafarer is celebrating its 30th anniversary year.
GNSS-enabled electronic devices have ‘cyber-security vulnerability’
Sailors are being warned of the threat of spoofing or jamming of electronic kit, such as Man Overboard (MOB) devices and chartplotters, which have Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) functionality.
Restored Keewaydin trawler ‘unsalvageable’ after fire
Lowestoft wooden trawler, Keewaydin, which was close to post-restoration launch, is 'unsalvageable' following a fire, says the Sailors Creek CIC team
Inspiring guests and club anniversaries at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 2026
Celebrations of milestone moments and a star-studded line up of guest speakers will be among the highlights of the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 2026.
Scottish sailors’ relief that ‘outrageous’ Clyde fee plan has been shelved
Plans to introduce a £100 annual fee for leisure boaters in the popular cruising ground of Scotland’s Clydeport have been shelved after a public backlash.
First prosecution under new watercraft safety laws
A motorboater who injured a teen kayaker in a “completely avoidable” collision is the first to be sentenced under new watercraft safety laws.
Sailing and boating participation in the UK are in decline
"Sailing and boating in the UK are at a crossroads,” says Nick Scott, director of sport for the Royal Yachting Association. "Participation is standing still, or starting to fall.”
Boaters beware: RYA SafeTrx vessel tracking safety app will soon close
RYA SafeTrx app - the vessel tracking, safety and communications platform - is to be discontinued at the end of this month, from 31 December.
Crisis in the canals as drought hits boaters
Boats have been left stranded in canals, navigation restricted, and businesses “exceptionally quiet” during peak summer months across the inland waterways of England and Wales.
Royal Yachting Association: what it has done for British boating
In its 150th year, Laura Hodgetts explores the Royal Yachting Association’s evolution from ‘gentlemen racers’ to a world-leading national boating body
Sailors urged to report collisions with whales and other marine life
Sailors around the world are being urged to participate in an anonymous global survey to document collisions at sea between sailing boats and marine life.
How to install a Halyard Aquadrive in a Contessa 32
A boat owner installs a Halyard Aquadrive antivibration system for smoother, quieter cruising and reduced wear on his marine engine and gearbox
Emerging from hibernation – Dave Selby’s Mad About the Boat column
The crinkle of crisp boilersuits shuffling around the boatyard heralds a new season
Plan to secure future of nautical publisher Imray paper charts
Good news for Imray's paper charts: the nautical publisher and freytag & berndt aim to “ensure the continued availability” of Imray's paper charts and books