Stu Davies overhauled his yacht’s mast and rigging himself. Credit: Stu Davies

With a likely bill of £500 to have his forestay replaced, Stu Davies decides to tackle the job himself – and gets carried away overhauling the mast and furler

With a likely bill of £500 to have his forestay replaced, Stu Davies decides to tackle the job himself – and gets carried away overhauling the mast and…

The stern tube was flushed first with vinegar and then with water to remove marine growth. Photo by Stu Davies

Stu Davies explains how he used a commonly found condiment to free up his prop, accidentally finding a marine growth solution

Sometimes life throws us a curveball, and last year it happened to us. Our boat is based in Portugal. We …Continue reading »

Epoxy sheathing is long-lasting. Credit: Richard Johnstone-Bryden

Epoxy sheathing offers a long-lasting alternative to canvas for covering a traditional plywood coachroof or deck, as Richard Johnstone-Bryden explains

Epoxy sheathing offers a long-lasting alternative to canvas for covering a traditional plywood coachroof or deck, as Richard Johnstone-Bryden explains

Half an old bath was the ideal shape for a doghouse mould. Credit: Jake Kavanagh

When traditional plywood didn't match the curves of his Corribee 21, Jake Kavanagh found an ingenious—and free—solution at the local scrapyard

When traditional plywood didn't match the curves of his Corribee 21, Jake Kavanagh found an ingenious—and free—solution at the local scrapyard

Fed up with trying to reach the primary fuel filter (far left in picture) on his Hanse 301, Paul changed it to a R12T installation, which is easier to access. Credit: Paul Diamond

Paul Diamond explains how he upgraded his primary fuel filter to make it easier to get at and change

Paul Diamond explains how he upgraded his primary fuel filter to make it easier to get at and change

The Bavaria 34’s grab rails by the companionway allow the holding straps to be easily slid out of the way. Credit: Libby Earle

Keep your cabin dry and private with this simple canvas companionway cover project that anyone with a robust sewing machine can tackle. Libby Earle explains

Keep your cabin dry and private with this simple canvas companionway cover project that anyone with a robust…

Joe and Linda Magee experienced a port-side chainplate failure on their Albin Cumulus 85. Credit: Joe Magee

After a chainplate snapped on his Albin Cumulus 85, Joe Magee explains how he designed and fitted new ones

After a chainplate snapped on his Albin Cumulus 85, Joe Magee explains how he designed and fitted new ones

Photo by Dagnall Clutterbuck

Want to navigate using your smartphone or tablet? Duncan Kent and Dagnall Clutterbuck look at a selection of wifi gateways under £250

With modern tablets and smartphones becoming an increasingly popular choice for electronic navigation, we investigated the core of any onboard …Continue reading »

Downwind sails in the ARC rally 2025. Photo by Paul Wyeth

Ali Wood gets some top tips from sailmakers on choosing and caring for your yacht’s most valuable assets

The new season’s approaching, and your sails are in tip-top condition, right? You’ve had them laundered and the UV strips …Continue reading »

Cupboard doors mean you can get at the tank to check the level or for access if necessary. Credit: Mike Pickles

Harbour foreman and boatbuilder Mike Pickles explains that with a little imagination, you can find space on most boats for a waste holding tank

Harbour foreman and boatbuilder Mike Pickles explains that with a little imagination, you can find space on most boats for a waste…

Cabin soles newly vanished and ready for non-slip work at home. Photo by Colin King

With a (literal) pinch of salt on his cabin sole, Colin King creates a better grip underfoot

The cabin sole on my Contessa 32 has a lot of nicely varnished hardwood-faced ply joinery. But part of the …Continue reading »

Slamming causes vibrations which pump tiny amounts of water along bolts on windows and deck fittings, no matter how tight they are, unless they are properly sealed. Credit: David Harding

Boat leaks are the bane of a sailor’s life, but with patience their source can be traced. Here are some ideas of where to start...

Boat leaks are the bane of a sailor’s life, but with patience their source…

All connected up. Access to the filter and fuel cock is now under a saloon bench, while the day tank itself is reached by folding down the saloon berth and lifting an access hatch. Photo by Richard Thomson

After his engine dies while motoring in a swell, Richard Thomson decides to install an auxiliary diesel day tank on his vintage yacht

The wind was dying with the light after a lively…

Sugar Plum’s bridle configuration, which Greg has designed so it can cope with the boat violently pitching, heaving and yawing. Credit: Greg Manning

Greg Manning explains how he made a bridle to ensure his Fairey Atalanta remains safe in a storm while on a swinging mooring

Greg Manning explains how he made a bridle to ensure his Fairey Atalanta remains safe in a storm while on a swinging…

At Hunter's Yard in Norfolk, boats are still hauled out and slipped in the traditional way. Credit: Richard Johnstone-Bryden

In a quiet Norfolk backwater a fleet of classic yachts is still fished out of the water and slipped the traditional way – with chip fat – writes Richard Johnstone-Bryden...a story from the archives

In a quiet Norfolk backwater a fleet of classic yachts is still fished…

Plywood veneer can enhance the appearance of most boats. Credit: Richard Johnstone-Bryden

Wood veneer can revitalise and add a touch of class to many boats. Richard Johnstone-Bryden shares advice on techniques for cutting, gluing and fitting ply veneer

Wood veneer can revitalise and add a touch of class to many boats. Richard Johnstone-Bryden shares advice on techniques for cutting, gluing…

Minestrone after leaving the shed, with stanchions and toerail fitted. Note the short inboard legs that help support the stanchions. Creidt: Rupert Holmes

Rupert Holmes shares how he redesigned and refitted the deck hardware on his Quarter-Tonner, Minestrone

Rupert Holmes shares how he redesigned and refitted the deck hardware on his Quarter-Tonner, Minestrone

You just need to be a competent DIY-er to build a bathing platform for your boat. Credit: Richard Johnstone-Bryden

If you want to get the best from the British summer, a smart bathing platform can be a fabulous addition to your boat. Richard Johnstone-Bryden shows how it’s done

If you want to get the best from the British summer, a smart bathing platform can be a fabulous addition to your…

Tighten the nut with a spanner while holding the joint with another to complete the job. Credit: Tony Davies

Tony Davies shares his step-by-step guide to making a compression joint for fuel systems

Tony Davies shares his step-by-step guide to making a compression joint for fuel systems

Bob pulled off the covers to see what his £1 had bought. Photo by Bob Shillito

Bob Shillito saves the 1953 Yachting Monthly three-tonner, Sparrow, from being scrapped and gets her sea-ready with a budget-friendly boat renovation.

‘How are you getting on with selling your boat?’ It was a simple question, which launched an endeavour to grant …Continue reading »

The new Volvo pump fitted. Photo by Mike Attree

Mike Attree explains how he fixed his engine's sea water pump, and the part-replacement lessons he learned in the process.

Before we bought a yacht, I hadn’t realised that boat parts wore out so quickly, much less my engine’s sea …Continue reading »

This Sunware Textile semi-flexible panel from Marlec is attached with studs and eyelets. Credit: Ali Wood

Topping up the batteries with solar power has never been easier, says Ali Wood, but how do you decide which type to buy?

Topping up the batteries with solar power has never been easier, says Ali Wood, but how do you decide which type to buy?

The starboard prop was badly pitted, but after repairs it was as good as new. Credit: Gilbert Park

Gilbert Park refurbishes a pitted starboard propeller on his Seaward 29 motor cruiser and gets some advice on how to refit it

Gilbert Park refurbishes a pitted starboard propeller on his Seaward 29 motor cruiser and gets some advice on how to refit it

Attempting to lower a mast with the help of two other boats and their skipper should only be done in calm conditions. Credit: Genevieve Leapaer

Genevieve Leaper shows how to lower a mast while your boat is on the water

Genevieve Leaper shows how to lower a mast while your boat is still afloat

Half a day’s effort and voila – easier access from the pontoon. Credit: Mark Prior

Mark Prior makes a step using £10-worth of material (which could be salvaged free)

Mark Prior makes a step using £10-worth of material (which could be salvaged free)

Stu Davies decided to renovate his old 2.2hp Mercury outboard

Stu Davies revives a 1989 2hp outboard engine

Stu Davies revives a 1989 2hp outboard engine

Make sure you use the correct thickness of wire when replacing wiring; generally, the thicker the wire, the more current it can carry and vice versa. Credit: Katy Stickland

Engineer Chris Mardon demystifies onboard electrics and explains how you can troubleshoot electrical systems

Engineer Chris Mardon demystifies onboard electrics and explains how you can troubleshoot electrical systems

Planned preventative maintenance is key for keeping your outboard engine running smoothly.

PBO’s engine expert, Stu Davies, explains how to troubleshoot common problems in your outboard engine to get it running again.

Whether it be a small outboard engine to drive our dinghy or a bigger one to drive our fast ‘toys’, …Continue reading »

Regular maintenance of your boat canopy will help ensure it lasts. Credit: Radharc Images/Alamy

If your boat canopy has suffered from sun bleaching, ripped windows, worn stitching or fabric tears, don’t write it off. Jake Kavanagh investigates some life-extending fixes

If your boat canopy has suffered from sun bleaching, ripped windows, worn stitching or fabric tears, don’t write it off.…

A well-tuned rig will help your yacht to point better. Credit: David Harding

Point higher and sail faster – every yacht can benefit from an optimal rig setup. Ali Wood finds out from the experts how it’s done

Point higher and sail faster – every yacht can benefit from an optimal rig setup. Ali Wood finds out from the experts how it’s done