Peter Kersey draws on the wisdom of an old smack sailor to get his engineless Drascombe Lugger out of trouble off a lee shore
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What is inside your liferaft?
Short of time to get their liferaft professionally serviced, Andy and Julie Pag decide to carry out an inspection themselves
How to refurbish a scruffy outboard cowling
Rebecca Beck shares how she improved her outboard cowling
How to go sailing and boating if you don’t own a boat
From tall ships to small dinghies, you don't need to own a boat to go sailing. Ali Wood looks at the options, and how skippers can also find crew
Southampton Boat Show 2024: all you need to know
From boat and gear launches to legendary sailors and a chance to get on the water, here is your complete guide to the Southampton Boat Show 2024
Buoycatcher-Max: We test the next generation boat hook
Gilbert Park tests the new Buoycatcher-Max, the next generation boat hook
How to make a last-minute home-made dinghy spinnaker pole
Ben Lowings cobbles up some pole jaws to make a make-shift dinghy spinnaker pole
Mad about the boat: The echoes of Essex past
PBO columnist Dave Selby laments the decline of oral history lessons at the Maldon branch of Essex University in the Queen’s Head pub
Rebuilding an outboard motor gearbox: step-by-step
Small outboard motors can often be a low priority when it comes to maintenance. David Parker found out the hard way that his trusty little engine had been ignored for…
Orca encounters on boats: what you need to know
Katy Stickland talks to marine scientists, sailors and The Cruising Association to find out the most effective way to safely sail the Atlantic Iberian Peninsula
How to repair a heavy-duty zip on a bow dodger
Tony Davies demonstrates how you can restore a broken heavy-duty zip to full working condition
Making a hull fitting to fit a depth transducer
Many makes of depth displays use a standard transducer such as those made by NASA, Airmar, B&G, Raymarine and other manufacturers worldwide. These work by transmitting and receiving a signal…
How to rig a spinnaker on a small yacht – what you need and where to fit it
If you want a spinnaker, but don’t have the necessary fittings or equipment on your boat, where do you start?
How to apply KiwiGrip to your deck
Ben Meakins used KiwiGrip deck paint to refresh the non-slip on his boat’s decks last winter – but how well did it cope with a season’s abuse?
Sail trim: Sailing downwind without a spinnaker
Sailing efficiently when the wind comes astern doesn’t mean you have to fly a spinnaker or cruising chute. David Harding shows how to make the most of your upwind sails…
Solo sailing tips – anchoring and berthing
Andrew Blyth, who regularly sails his 9m Maurice Griffiths cutter single-handed, describes a selection of methods for dealing with tricky berthing and anchoring situations when single- or short-handed
Jet skier cautioned under new water safety law after he forced a ferry master to take evasive action
A jet skier in his 20s has been cautioned by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency after his actions forced a ferry master to take evasive action in Cowes Harbour
How to make a DIY boom brake for £8.95
David Holmes reflects on the success of his simple boom brake
Investigation underway after sailing couple – Brett Clibbery and Sarah Packwood – found dead in their liferaft
Brett Clibbery and Sarah Packwood left Halifax on their GibSea 42, Theros to sail across the Atlantic to the Azores. They were discovered on 10 July in their liferaft, after…
IZIBoat: Simple sailing on a yacht that can be towed by bicycle
Rupert Holmes sails an innovative catamaran design intended to widen participation in sailing among those with little time to get on the water in more conventional craft