Thousands of sailors are affected by Calor’s decision to discontinue its 4.5kg butane and 3.9kg propane gas cylinders – and hundreds intend to refill their own gas canisters due to ‘Calor’s unrealistic offer of larger 6kg or 7kg alternatives.’
Tom Mullarkey’s Island Packet 320’s gas locker with appliances specc’d for propane won’t work with alternatives without major modification. Credit: Tom MullarkeyThe UK’s largest yacht owners group, the Westerly Owners’ Association (WOA) with 3,000 members, is among those dependent on gas bottles of...
Planning on visiting the Southampton Boat Show 2023? Here is your complete guide to Britain's biggest boat show, including how to get discounted entry
The 54th edition of the Southampton Boat Show will run over 10 daysThe Southampton Boat Show 2023 is one of the biggest boating events in the UK calendar, held annually at Mayflower Park in Southampton.
Here is your guide to make sure you don’t miss anything!
When is the Southampton Boat Show 2023 open?The Southampton Boat Show 2023 will run from 15-24 September. It...
Roger Nadin on traditional proa design that’s enjoying a kit-boat revival
A Gary Dierking T2 modern proa design. Credit: Les AndersonBack when Captain Cook ‘discovered’ the South Pacific, local people were using what, to Western eyes, were unusual sailing boats.
These had twin hulls but with one hull shorter than the other.
They couldn’t be sailed into the wind and would not tack through the wind. Instead, the asymmetrical main hull could be sailed in either direction in a move known as shunting.
The attachment of the...
Ali Wood finds out more about visionary proa boat designer, Rob Denney
Visionary designer Rob Denney’s C50 Air concept. Credit: Rob DenneyNew Zealand designer Rob Denney is a proa boat enthusiast.
He built his first catamaran aged 14 and, after skipping his accountancy exams to do the Sydney-Hobart race, never looked back.
He’s spent his career racing, delivering and designing yachts, among them a catamaran he capsized in a ‘gung-ho’ two-handed round-Britain attempt (the boat, considered a shipping hazard, was destroyed by...
Phil Symonds is struggling to find out why the engine revs on his yacht keep falling away. PBO's Stu Davies has the answer
Reader Phil Symonds owns a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS like thisI’ve had the ownership of a lovely 2008 model Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS for the past four years.
I’m delighted with the boat, she is roomy and beautiful to sail.
However, like all things man-made she has little technical niggles that crop up from time to time.
I was out sailing recently about 30 miles from home when the wind died and I...
Everyone thinks about man overboard (MOB), but what do you do when you have a MIM, man in marina? Mark Prior found out the hard way...
Painting credit: Dick EverittTwo of the most dangerous things you will do on a boat? Get on it. And get off it. You are at your least aware and most distracted. There is much to trip over and fall foul of. Even more risk than of a badly placed preposition.
Bad enough should you slip into that dreaded no-person’s-land twixt pontoon and boat in full daylight, warm water, and your nickname is The...
Keith Calton converts an under-seat locker into a bespoke boat fridge for under £450
The finished fridge fits nearly where there was an under-seat locker. Credit: Keith CaltonMaking a one-off boat fridge is well within the skill set of most DIYers.
It is not expensive either as the materials for the ‘plug’ are pretty cheap, and since you will want the smooth side inside you won’t need a mould!
Aboard my 31ft Macwester Wight the most suitable space for a ‘bespoke chiller’ was an under-seat locker so I started by stepping the...
Alasdair Reay, CEO of HPi-CEproof Ltd, explains what the indefinite delay in the introduction of the UKCA mark means for the sale of second hand boats across the Channel
The CE mark can now indefinitely be used as proof of conformity with the UK regulations. Credit: David HardingWhat the indefinite delay of the UKCA mark means for boat buying and selling
After three postponements, the UK Government finally announced on 1 August 2023 that it will recognise CE marks indefinitely as proof of conformity with the UK...
Roger Barnes reflects on the legacy of small-boat sailors Margaret and Frank Dye
Frank Dye believed no-one should ever risk their lives to save him if he got into difficulty at sea. His radio would only receive. Credit: Photos © Frank and Margaret Dye 1977, as reproduced in Ocean Crossing Wayfarer: To Iceland and Norway in a 16ft Open Dinghy published by Adlard Coles (www.adlardcoles.com) unless stated“By 2015 it was Bill’s watch, and the seas were bad, at least 30ft (9.14m) and very heavy,” wrote Frank Dye.
“...
Peter Poland explains how boat hull design has evolved over the years and how this affects boat handling and accommodation
Near-vertical stem and stern on the new Dufour 32 increase hull speed and space. Credit: Jean-Marie LiotBoat hull design: how it impacts performance
The search for the ideal family cruiser can be a complicated business at the best of times, especially if you’re looking for...