Practical Boat Owner

Originally launched in 1967, Practical Boat Owner is recognized as the leading publication globally for guidance on boat maintenance and repair. It offers valuable seamanship skills that cater to both beginners and experienced sailors.

Local, Consumer

English

Magazine

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#342974

United Kingdom

#49176

Vehicles/Boats

#22

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

Left for dead after falling overboard: how one sailor survived 5 hours lost at sea before rescue

2 weeks ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

Roger Cottle was presumed dead after falling overboard a 27ft yacht and lost at sea for five-and-a-half hours in a holed lifejacket, at night in the Bay of Biscay TAGS: Man OverboardseamanshipTop stories Falling overboard, I discovered that what they don’t tell you on the sailing courses is that a safety harness is great until you fall in, and then you become a waterskier.
Plan to secure future of nautical publisher Imray paper charts

2 weeks ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

Imray’s nautical paper charts and books are no longer at risk of ceasing publication this year. TAGS: boatinggearnavigationTop stories Leading publisher of nautical information for leisure sailors Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson Ltd (Imray) and Austrian cartographic specialist freytag & berndt (FB) have pledged to “ensure the continued availability and development” of Imray paper charts.
How we live the dream: sailors share their routes into bluewater sailing

2 weeks ago | pbo.co.uk | Alison Wood

There are many paths to bluewater cruising. Here boat owners share their stories with Ali Wood ahead of their transatlantic crossings TAGS: ARCCruisingTop stories For many of us, bluewater sailing is a lifelong dream which, often, never seems quite attainable due to the pressures of work, life, family or just circumstance.
Next stop Fiji! Mini Globe Race skippers start Leg 2 amid gear issues

3 weeks ago | pbo.co.uk | Katy Stickland

13 of the Mini Globe Race entrants are now racing towards Fiji in their 19ft plywood boats, a further two skippers are expected to be underway by next week TAGS: Mini Globe RaceTop storiesYacht race It is 7,200 miles from Panama to Fiji, and the solo skippers in the Mini Globe Race fleet will need to dig deep if they are to finish the longest of the five legs in the 26,000-mile race.
Big worries over new MCA Sport and Pleasure Code of Practice

3 weeks ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

Sail training providers across the UK are warning the cost of proposed changes to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) Sport and Pleasure Code of Practice’ could have a ‘devastating’ impact on the services they deliver.
Open weekends announced for Portland Marina

4 weeks ago | pbo.co.uk | Katy Stickland

Next month, Portland Marina will be hosting two boat buying open weekends Prospective boat buyers are being invited to a series of free open days at boatfolk’s Portland Marina. The free Spring Boat Sales Open Weekends will be taking place on 5 to 6 April and 12 to 13 April 2025. Broker boatpoint will be displaying a range of sailing and power brands, including Jeanneau, Elan and Ryds.
Fouled propeller fix: top tips for solving the problem at sea

1 month ago | pbo.co.uk | Alison Wood

What should you do when you catch a line or fishing net and your prop becomes fouled? Ali Wood looks at the options TAGS: practicalTop stories A fouled propeller is every sailor’s nightmare. Whether snagged suddenly in the middle of a channel, or a drifting target for shipping, it’s a stressful situation and one that requires a calm head.
Have your say on boat licensing via the Canal and River Trust survey

1 month ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

Boat owners and other stakeholders are invited to share their boat licensing experiences and suggestions for improvement via the Canal & River Trust's survey – are changes are needed for the UK network’s future? TAGS: boatingTop stories An independently led commission is reviewing the legal framework around the Canal & River Trust’s boat licensing.
Where to recycle old sails and end of life kit – drop off points across the UK and Europe - Practical Boat Owner

1 month ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

Got old sails and unwanted rope that you don't want to put into landfill?
Buyers beware: new AIS MOB device rule

1 month ago | pbo.co.uk | Laura Hodgetts

Big changes to marine radio device rules are planned to be brought into the UK, impacting man overboard (MOB) locator devices. TAGS: gearsailingTop storiesUK seas New European safety rules to address congestion of automatic identification system (AIS) frequencies used by Autonomous Maritime Radio Devices (AMRDs) have already taken effect in many countries including Ireland.