Practical Boat Owner

Britain's biggest-selling boating magazine
  1. PBO reader Clive Hathway has a leaking raw water pump. Should he buy a replacement or rebuild it? Stu Davies gives his advice

    A raw water pump for a boat
    Rebuilding a water pump is a more cost effective solution to buying a new one. Credit: Clive Hathway
    PBO reader Clive Hathway has a leaking raw water pump. Should he buy a replacement or rebuild it? Stu Davies gives his advice
  2. Gilbert Park explains how and why he installed an OLAS Guardian wireless kill cord on his planing sports cruiser...

    The OLAS Guardian control unit (right) inside the console. Although it can’t be seen its 85dB siren is easily heard throughout the boat
    Lightweight, planing motorboats are very susceptible to being blown off course when not under power. This is can be awkward …Continue reading »
  3. RS Aero sailor Ken Fowler has become the first person to sail solo around every island in England and Wales

    Ken Fowler sailing his 4m dinghy
    Ken Fowler has sailed more than 2,200 miles, raising over £70,000 for cancer charities. Credit: Giles Fletcher Photography
    Ken Fowler has become the first sailor to sail solo around every island in England and Wales in his RS Aero
  4. Genevieve Leaper shares her late father John Leaper’s recollections – compiled from handwritten notes – of cruising the Channel in his Shearwater sloop during the 1960s

    A couple sailing a shearwater boat
    John and Mary Leaper sailing Wataita. Credit: Kit Scruton
    Genevieve Leaper shares her late father John Leaper’s recollections – compiled from handwritten notes – of cruising the Channel in his Shearwater sloop during the 1960s
  5. RIB driver Morgan George Smith, 21, of Northampton is now serving a three-year jail sentence for gross negligence manslaughter

    Rib driver Morgan George Smith
    Morgan George Smith was under the influence of alcohol and was navigating at night using a mobile phone. Credit: Dorset Police
    RIB driver Morgan George Smith, 21, of Northampton is now serving a three-year jail sentence for gross negligence manslaughter
  6. Why the correct manoeuvres for the sea conditions will reduce hogging and sagging stress on both ship and crew

    Two people in a boat sailing in waves
    Knowing how to sail in waves will reduce hogging and sagging stress for boat and crew. Credit: Nic Compton/Alamy
    Why the correct manoeuvres for the sea conditions will reduce hogging and sagging stress on both ship and crew
  7. Would gas to liquid (GTL) fuel work better than diesel fuel? PBO's engine whisperer, Stu Davies ponders the question

    A bottle of Shell GTL fuel
    Shell's GTL fuel is a synthetic diesel refined from natural gas. Credit: Shell
    Would gas to liquid (GTL) fuel work better than diesel fuel? PBO's engine whisperer, Stu Davies ponders the question
  8. So you're thinking of ditching that old gas cooker and trying some induction cooking? Here's what you need to know on power consumption and how to run one onboard your boat.

    So you're thinking of ditching that old gas cooker and trying some induction cooking? Here's what you need to know on power consumption and how to run one onboard your boat.
  9. Ali Wood gets some bug-beating advice from Marine 16’s Peter Weide and learns why modern diesel requires more attention than ever

    Laura Davies looks for evidence of diesel bug in our Project Boat tank
    Laura Davies looks for evidence of diesel bug in our Project Boat tank
    Ali Wood gets some bug-beating advice from Marine 16’s Peter Weide and learns why modern diesel requires more attention than ever
  10. Skeleton Crew, the only American team in the 2023 Ocean Globe Race, have announced they are retiring from the event due to "unexpected challenges"

    The crew of Godspeed on a boat during the Ocean Globe Race
    The crew of Godspeed have made the difficult decision to retire from the 2023 Ocean Globe Race. Credit: Godspeed/OGR23
    Skeleton Crew, the only American team in the 2023 Ocean Globe Race, have announced they are retiring from the event due to "unexpected challenges"