Boating-sailing
Practical Boat Owner
Ex-lifeboatman's nine year solo voyage
A former Plymouth lifeboat volunteer has returned from his 30,000-mile circumnavigation on his 36ft yacht, nine years after setting off.
1 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Island of dreams
Modern intrusions vie with the trill of oystercatchers close to Dave's dream home
3 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Ella's Arctic record attempt on pause
Ella Hibbert, who is the first British woman to sail the Northwest Passage single-handed, has halted her solo sail around the Arctic due to safety concerns ahead of attempting the Northeast Passage behind schedule, but vowed to continue again next summer.
1 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Down with a bang!
John Willis explains the consequences of cresting a bigger- than-expected wave while helming his 25ft motorboat
9 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Sailing off grid
Three transatlantic cruisers share valuable lessons with Ali Wood about their onboard power setups (and where they went wrong)
10+ min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Simple DIY prop puller
Zoran Glozinic devises a way to simplify a tricky job
5 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
New entry procedure for EU countries
It has been reported that the new digital system (EES) for tourists entering the European Union (EU) will require non-EU passport holders to have fingerprints and a photograph taken, as well as provide evidence of medical insurance and a return ticket-or the means to purchase one-when it is rolled out from 12 October.
1 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
What's the RYA 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
10 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Laser 16 cruising dinghy
A solid and stable day sailer for comfortable explorations
5 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
How to keep pests at bay
Infestations of insects and other unwanted visitors is an ever present risk, especially in warmer climates, says Rupert Holmes
7 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Installing a radio
Gilbert Park shows how he fitted an audio system controlled from his chartplotter and smartphone while underway
2 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
The boatyard that's at the crossroads of the world
How do you fix boats in the middle of the Atlantic? Ali Wood visits a unique business that deals with everything from broken booms to ARC crews and Interpol
10+ min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
A birthday kayak!
When dithering about what product to buy, look to a PBO gear test for recommendations
3 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
How 19ft boats and gear survived after sailing 12,000 miles
For decades practical boat owners have built yachts in their gardens and gone on to sail them safely offshore, and many of the skippers in the 2025-25 Mini Globe Race are following in their footsteps. So far, 13 of the entrants have now sailed their Globe 5.80s across the Atlantic and almost halfway across the Pacific Ocean, but how have these plywood 19ft boats stood up to the rigours of racing offshore?
8 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Orca in the Spanish Rias
Orca interactions in the Spanish estuaries are increasing, the Cruising Association has confirmed.
1 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Raft up short-handed
Alastair Buchan explains the techniques needed by solo or short-handed for crew rafting up in busy marinas and harbours
5 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Let the wind do the steering
Andrew Simpson looks at pendulum servo self-steering gears, and describes how to get the best out of them
9 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
World's biggest wind farm may expand
Dogger Bank, the world's biggest offshore wind farm - currently in construction off the coast of England in the North Sea-is set to get even bigger.
1 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
'Life-changing injury' for passenger left paralysed after sea safari ride
The danger of vertical impacts on rigid inflatable (RIB) boats \"when inappropriate seating arrangements are used\" has been highlighted by a report into the serious injury of a sightseeing passenger, who was left permanently paralysed.
1 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Crisis for canals as drought hits boaters
Boats have been left stranded, navigation restricted, and businesses “exceptionally quiet” during peak summer months across the inland waterways of England and Wales.
2 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
British Marine guidance following 2014 Cheeki Rafiki tragedy - now drafted
An annual report by the MAIB flags up that it’s awaiting action from British Marine following safety recommendations made after the Cheeki Rafiki tragedy more than a decade ago.
1 min |
November 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Buying your first motorboat
Jake Kavanagh looks at the main buying choices between new and used and considers the temptation of projects
10+ min |
September 2025
Practical Boat Owner
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 min |
September 2025
Practical Boat Owner
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 min |
September 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Right tools for the job
Stu Davies explains what's inside his toolbox so he can tackle (almost) any job on board
10+ min |
September 2025
Practical Boat Owner
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 min |
September 2025
Practical Boat Owner
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 min |
September 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Sadler 34
Rupert Holmes looks at one of the most desirable cruising yachts of the Sadler era, as well as some alternative boats
10+ min |
September 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Engine shenanigans
Anyone for boat yoga? Motor maintenance inevitably means some contortionism...
3 min |
September 2025
Practical Boat Owner
Sail handling when short-handed
Alastair Buchan explains how to handle sails solo or with few crew
10+ min |