Try GOLD - Free

Practical Boat Owner Magazine - September 2025

Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Read Practical Boat Owner along with 9,500+ other magazines & newspapers with just one subscription

View Catalog

1 Month

$14.99

1 Year $149.99

$149.99

$12/month

(OR)

Subscribe only to Practical Boat Owner

Gift Practical Boat Owner

Cancel Anytime.

(No Commitments) ⓘ

If you are not happy with the subscription, you can email us at help@magzter.com within 7 days of subscription start date for a full refund. No questions asked - Promise! (Note: Not applicable for single issue purchases)

Digital Subscription

Instant Access ⓘ

Subscribe now to instantly start reading on the Magzter website, iOS, Android, and Amazon apps.

Verified Secure

payment ⓘ

Magzter is a verified Stripe merchant.

In this issue

BE MORE CONFIDENT
SAILING SHORTHANDED
THE MUST-HAVE TOOLS
FOR EVERY SKIPPER
RUDDER TYPES & PERFORMANCE
BUYING YOUR FIRST MOTORBOAT
HOW TO ENHANCE YOUR COCKPIT

Jazz Turner's solo sail, unassisted and engineless, around the UK and Ireland

A history-making voyage in a 1975 Albin Vega 27 around the UK and Ireland saw 27-year-old Jazz Turner navigate through rough conditions, boat breakages and chronic pain.

2 mins

Dave Selby Mad about the boat High tea on a historic barge

The art of juggling tea and a muffin while not tripping over or getting whacked on the head

3 mins

A spin in the Corryvreckan

Probably the worst whirlpool in the world

3 mins

Fit for the future

Annie Means talks to the founders of BlueTree about their innovative approach to boatbuilding design and construction

6 mins

Two Smacks Boats

All Smacks Boats are fitted to the owner's specifications, Clive compares two that he has owned; a fast one and a comfortable one

6 mins

Engine shenanigans

Anyone for boat yoga? Motor maintenance inevitably means some contortionism...

3 mins

Buying your first motorboat

Jake Kavanagh looks at the main buying choices between new and used and considers the temptation of projects

10+ mins

Sadler 34

10+ mins

Sadler 34

Rupert Holmes looks at one of the most desirable cruising yachts of the Sadler era, as well as some alternative boats

10+ mins

Sail handling when short-handed

Alastair Buchan explains how to handle sails solo or with few crew

10+ mins

Is it time to check your engine mounts?

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies explains what happens when these often overlooked but crucial fastenings break down and fail

1 mins

A quest for quiet

Chris Mardon replaces the engine mounts on his Dufour 40

2 mins

Improve your cockpit

Want to stop battling with deck gear and tripping over ropes? Ali Wood has some tips to help make the most of this crucial space

10+ mins

Right tools for the job

Stu Davies explains what's inside his toolbox so he can tackle (almost) any job on board

10+ mins

Corrosion that may cost your rig

Some corrosion is easy to spot but stress corrosion cracking has the potential to weaken your rig with very little warning, says Vyv Cox

6 mins

Make your boat easier to sail

The late Jim Mottram explains modifications to make his 23-footer easier to sail. Here are just some of his tips from the archives

4 mins

Cruising with Alzheimer's

Tony and Ann Montgomery-Smith have been sailing for almost 60 years. Now both in their 80s, and with Ann's Alzheimer's diagnosis, Tony explains how they have continued to cruise

5 mins

Notes for first-timers

Chris and Ron Colverson were enjoying an idyllic first river trip aboard their new Freeman 22 Mk2 cabin cruiser-until Ron fell in

7 mins

Whales, otters and Vikings

Greg Manning sails his Fairey Atalanta from Arisaig in the West Highlands to the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides

7 mins

Read all Stories from Practical Boat Owner

Practical Boat Owner Magazine Description:

Publisher: Future

Category: Boating_Sailing

Language: English

Frequency: Monthly

Published by Time Inc (UK).Practical Boat Owner is Britain's biggest-selling boating magazine, trusted and respected by all its readers. A source of useful and helpful information for both power and sail boat owners, PBO helps you get the most from your boat acting as a forum for interacting with like-minded individuals.