Recently in Yachting Monthly we set out the abandoned boat problem as councils, harbour and river authorities try to deal with the increasing number of end-of-life (EOL) boats being abandoned…
Maintenance
The abandoned boat problem: Investigating a nationwide issue
What to do with the many abandoned boats left to rot or disintegrate in creeks, rivers and estuaries up and down the country? Most are leisure craft built in the…
Solving yacht engine trouble: ‘Water had got in through the filler cap’
A year or so ago I was helping a friend, Monty Halls, bring his boat Sobek, around from Plymouth to Dartmouth. As we were leaving Plymouth breakwater, the engine died.…
Upcycling a boat: ‘I’m not saying it’s for everyone, but I do feel that recycling a boat makes a great deal of sense’
When it came to searching for a smaller yacht for upcycling, I was quite specific. I wanted a boat I could keep on my Chichester Harbour mooring while my other…
Keeping your boat afloat: how to find and fix hull moisture
No matter how hard you try, a completely dry boat without hull moisture is a rarity. The older a boat gets the more likely seals will start shrinking, sealant around…
How it works: Marine gearboxes and clutches
The gearbox on a marine diesel engine has three purposes: to reduce the maximum speed at which the propeller rotates; to enable both forward and astern rotation of the propeller;…
Marine electrics: How to solve any problem onboard
After engine breakdowns, electrical failure is the second most common reason for a yacht becoming stranded. Duncan Kent explains how to troubleshoot problems with your marine electrics
The tools and spares you shouldn’t sail without
Give a thought to your inventory this winter to keep you cruising next season, says Rachael Sprot
Through hull fittings: bronze or plastic?
When it comes to through hull fittings do you opt for bronze or plastic? Surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies shares his thoughts
Burst coolant hose: ‘I had spares for everything except this’
Edward Vivian experiences a burst coolant hose while sailing from Guernsey to Plymouth in deteriorating conditions