Mark Ryan rebuilds his Seldén furling gearbox after wrestling with stiff roller furling for a year and discovers stress-free and easy reefing
The stiff in-mast roller furling system on the mast. Credit: Mark RyanIn-mast roller furling problems: how to rebuild a Seldén furling gearbox
There are three types of sailor: the first has a roller furled main and absolutely loves it, the second type doesn’t have a roller furled main and views it with suspicion and distrust after reading stories of jamming and disaster, and...
Colin Staples has a stiffened outboard bracket made of aluminium and stainless steel. What is the best way to lubricate the fitting?
Outboard brackets can be made of different metals, so what is the best way to keep the fitting lubricated?We keep our Hunter Duette on a mooring in the Hamble River where fouling is bad.
The prop of the 5hp Honda outboard in the well quickly fouled.
All efforts with...
PBO reader Constantin Demner is struggling to get rid of a strange boat smell, which is permeating her clothing and her tools. Ben Sutcliffe-Davies answers her question
Portlights can leak creating damp conditions for curtains and soft furnishingsI have a mystery smell on my boat which I’m trying to understand and resolve.
Everything I take off my 1978 Hallberg-Rassy...
After being dropped by Banque Populaire, Clarisse Crémer now has a new sponsor for the 2024 Vendée Globe, with the support of Alex Thomson
Clarisse Crémer holds the record for being the fastest female solo skipper to sail around the world in a monohull. Credit: GettyClarisse Crémer, who gave birth to her first child last November, and was controversially dropped by her sponsor Banque Populaire, now has a new backer for the 2024 Vendée Globe....
Calor Gas has confirmed that although it will discontinue its 4.5kg butane and 3.9kg propane cylinders, the phasing out period has been extended
For years, boaters have struggled to refill 4.5kg Calor Gas butane bottlesCalor has confirmed that its decision to streamline its gas cylinder range remains firm – and the 4.5kg butane and 3.9kg propane cylinders will still be discontinued.
However, after listening to affected users, Calor has decided on a longer phasing out period to allow users time to prepare.
A spokesperson said...
Jake Frith discovers that many so-called ‘heavy duty’ tarps really aren’t – but this tarpaulin from Yuzet just might be
Best heavy duty tarp? This one from Yuzet just might be
Whenever I read about microplastic pollution and its disastrous impact on the marine environment, I remember rinsing down the cruiser storage yard at my sailing club a couple of years ago and all the little bits of blue...
Ali Wood and long-distance cruiser Jon Walmsley look at charging, stowage, regen and performance of the tiller and remote-steered ePropulsion electric outboards...
An electric outboard motor is a very different beast to a petrol one. It’s lighter, quieter and cleaner but does have some drawbacks, such as speed, range and cost.
Testing the Spirit 1.0 tiller-steered electric outboard...Sometimes just knowing what a tool is called is enough to get you out of a pickle. Jake Frith tests the KWB DrillBlock handheld drilling jig
Centering was better when using the KWB DrillBlock if I went for a 4mm pilot hole first. Credit: Jake FrithI’ve been developing a prototype launching device for small powerboats lately, and it has involved cross drilling rather a lot of aluminium tubes. (Note to self – must learn to weld aluminium!).
Anyway, I’ve always struggled with cross drilling tubes perfectly plumb.
...Make sure your boat is ready to go back in the water with Practical Boat Owner's comprehensive guide
Replace any anode which has reduced 50% in sizeMaintenance on a boat: 71-point skipper’s checklist
Maintenance on a boat: Underwater AnodesA reduced shaft anode which really needs replacing
These might be expensive, but don’t skimp on them – your underwater metals, from P-brackets to rudder bearings and seacocks, will thank you.
As a general...
The UK boat rental and yacht charter firm, Borrow A Boat, has been bought by CEO Matt Ovenden and a group of investors
Borrow A Boat - which offers access to more than 45,000 boats in over 65 countries - has been bought by new owners. Credit: Borrow A BoatBorrow A Boat, which describes itself as the UK’s leading boat rental and yacht charter marketplace, has been bought by a group of investors and CEO Matt Ovenden.
Ovenden confirmed to PBO that the company will continue trading uninterrupted without any impact on existing...