Practical Boat Owner

Britain's biggest-selling boating magazine

  1. Where to recycle old sails and end of life kit – drop off points across the UK and Europe

    Unwanted sails collected at SKB Sails in Falmouth, Cornwall as part of the ReSail project by Clean Sailors
    Unwanted sails collected at SKB Sails in Falmouth, Cornwall. Credit: Clean Sailors

    Got old sails and unwanted rope that you don't want to put into landfill? The ReSail platform, one of the not-for-profit Clean Sailors projects, allows sailors to search for and find free drop-off points to give new life to end-of-life sails and other marine kit

    Got old sails and old rope that you don't want to put into landfill? The ReSail platform allows sailors to find free drop-off points to give new life to end-of-life sails and other marine kit

  2. Thames tidal lesson – getting stuck in the mud motorboating in central London

    A Haines river cruiser motorboat stuck in the mud at Richmond on the River Thames. Watercolour painting by Claudia Myatt
    Faith's Haines river cruiser motorboat stuck in the mud at Richmond on the River Thames. Watercolour painting by Claudia Myatt

    Faith Merrett runs aground while cruising from Teddington to St Katharine Docks Marina in Central London aboard her Haines river cruiser.

    Faith Merrett gets stuck in the mud while cruising from Teddington to St Katharine Docks Marina in Central London aboard her Haines river cruiser

  3. Overhauling the DC boat electrics on a 38ft boat

    boat wiring
    Namika’s birds nest of cables before the rewiring project.

    Richard Thomson explains how he gave his 1983 Trident Marine Voyager 38’s electrical system a complete and cost effective overhaul

    Richard Thomson explains how he gave his 1983 Trident Marine Voyager 38’s electrical system a complete and cost effective overhaul.

  4. New AIS MOB device rule affecting sailors

    A Man Overboard safety device fitted to a lifejacket
    Make sure any new devices can handle Ch70 (DSC) to futureproof your systems. Photo credit: Mark Taylor

    Big changes to marine radio device rules are planned to be brought into the UK, impacting man overboard (MOB) locator devices.

    Big changes to marine radio device rules are planned to be brought into the UK. The only MOB AIS devices allowed will be those that incorporate DSC on Ch70.

  5. Jimmy Green Marine: Your chain snubbing solution

    When anchoring up, it is simply good seamanship to protect your boat and supply comfort to your crew. And just as there is no single anchor for yacht owners to use in every situation, there isn’t a single best way to set an anchor rode - each boat owner requires a bespoke solution.

    The set-up on many yachts these days is to have an all-chain rode. The ‘bitter end’ is secured on the …Continue reading »

  6. New season safety checks

    Enjoy the water with safety in mind

    When did you last check and service your lifejacket or update your emergency action plan? If you were to fall …Continue reading »

  7. Boat battery care: the do’s and the don’ts

    A person topping up a boat battery
    When topping up your batteries, wear protective clothing and do not overfill

    Stuart James of Predator Batteries shares his expert tips for achieving optimum battery performance on board your boat

    Stuart James of Predator Batteries shares his expert tips for achieving optimum battery performance on board your boat

  8. Marina boat manoeuvring: reversing the roles

    A woman on a yacht
    Standing forward of the wheel when reversing can be more comfortable than looking over your shoulder. Credit: David Harding

    When couples sail together, one usually takes the lead when it comes to marina boat manoeuvring, remaining on the helm, while the other does the leaping around – but that’s not always the best division of labour, as David Harding reports

    When couples sail together, one usually takes the lead when it comes to marina boat manoeuvring, remaining on the helm, while the other does the leaping around – but that’s not always the best division of labour, as David Harding reports

  9. Exhaust elbow repair: step-by-step

    A rusty exhaust elbow on an engine
    The rust at the exhaust elbow. Credit: Mark Ryan

    Mark Ryan tackles a job to avoid ‘killing your engine and perhaps your crew...’

    Mark Ryan tackles a job to avoid ‘killing your engine and perhaps your crew...’

  10. Renaud Stitelmann wins Leg One of the Mini Globe Race 2025

    Renaud Stitelmann sailing his boat
    Renaud Stitelmann has spent decades racing yachts. Between 1982 and 2022, he took part in the International Moth, 505, and competed in solo and double-handed regattas in Lake Geneva, and raced in the M2-Catamaran circuit between 2006-2011. Credit: Renaud Stitelmann

    Swiss sailor Renaud Stitelmann, who won the Globe 5.80 Transat, has taken Leg One of the Mini Globe Race 2025

    Swiss sailor Renaud Stitelmann, who won the Globe 5.80 Transat, has taken Leg One of the Mini Globe Race 2025