For many in the boating community, boat solar panels represent something of a holy grail. They are, after all, the gift that keeps on giving, aren’t they? Free power forever,…
Gear
Best hull cleaners buying guide: how to add sparkle above and below the water
It’s no secret, of course, that maintaining a beautifully clean hull is the result of both regular work and use of the right hull cleaners. Yet it’s all too easy…
Best boat paint: 9 of the best DIY topcoats for fibreglass, wood or metal
Nothing improves the look of a boat quite like a fresh lick of high-quality boat paint. Whether your boat is wooden, steel or GRP, today’s easily applied topcoats can give…
Best waterproof boat shoes: 8 of the best options to keep your feet warm and dry
We’re not suggesting for a moment that boating in the wet will result in trench foot, but anyone who’s been on the receiving end of a good soaking at sea…
Best boat heaters: 7 portable electric radiators to see you through the winter
As a general rule of thumb, man-made things don’t like being left out in the cold. Take roads, for example; exposed to the elements day-in, day-out, they end up full…
Best boat rope: Twisted and braided options for docking your yacht
‘Give ’em enough rope…’ You know the rest; it’s an expression that’s been around for more than 350 years. But there’s one place this time-honoured truism doesn’t hold true, and…
Best boat fenders: 7 of the best options for protecting your topsides
If ever there was an unsung hero in the world of boating, it surely has to be the humble fender. Ubiquitous and largely maintenance-free, fenders dangle fearlessly in the face…
Best kids lifejackets and buoyancy aids for keeping your children safe
But happily even the most irresponsible grown-up always seems to insist on any kids in their charge being fitted with a personal floatation device of one kind or another. And…
Marine satellite communication: options for recreational sailors
Faster, cheaper marine satellite communication is coming to an ocean near you. Sam Fortescue investigations the options for recreational sailors
How it works: Diesel fuel system – from tank to cylinder
Every sailor needs to understand how their diesel engine works. In the second of this series, we look at the diesel fuel system