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…
Expert boat advice
Best boat cover: 6 of the best options for protecting your cockpit
Every marina has one – that sad and sorry looking, covered-in-algae-and-seagull-poo boat tied up forlornly at the end of the pontoon. It doesn’t necessarily mean the vessel is unloved, but…
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…
Motor boats for beginners: Everything you need to know
Looking to get into motor boats? Discover the options available that’ll see you out on the water in no time
Best anchors: 8 new generation designs suitable for every type of boat
Good ground tackle opens up the option to stay overnight in stunning bays and creeks, away from costly marinas and expensive harbour moorings. A decent anchor is also an essential…
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 tools. Yet it’s all too easy to…
Best boating apps: 9 essential downloads for iPhone and Android
It’s now physically possible and affordable to carry detailed charts of almost the whole globe in your pocket thanks to the dizzying array of boating apps out there. There’s no…
Best EPIRB: 4 emergency beacons to keep you safe at sea
When to choose an EPIRB? Emergency Personal Indicating Radio Beacons (or EPIRBs for short) are probably the best-known emergency beacons thanks to their long history and use in high profile…
Best satellite phone: 6 models to help you keep in touch at sea
There are numerous companies out there offering connectivity at varying cost and global coverage. Buying a satellite phone is, of course, just the start – you’ll also need a SIM…
Best boat dehumidifier: 10 powerful models to keep your boat dry
It sounds obvious, but boats tend to live in a damp environment. Even if you keep yours ashore or in your driveway, damp can still present a problem – just…
Best lifejacket: 13 top choices that could save your life
Whatever else you might find on a boat, you will usually find lifejackets. In the context of this feature we’re talking specifically about the best lifejacket options as opposed to…
Best personal locator beacons and AIS units: 7 top options for boating
Not so long ago simply locating a crew member who had fallen overboard in anything other than the most benign of conditions was a massive challenge, thanks to personal locator…
Best dog lifejackets: 6 top buoyancy aids for your canine crewmate
Not only does a dog lifejacket provide extra floatation, but they are also fluorescent, to aid location in low light, and also have grab handles to make it easy to…
Best boat wax: 5 top products to make your topsides shine
Many boat owners simply apply boat wax to the topsides once a year, and while this will look good for a short time, to get a really good result it’s…
Best depth sounder models from handheld to top of the range
The trend in recent years is towards boats running the vast majority of boat data through a chartplotter or Multi Function Display (MFD) but most of the best depth sounder…
Best boat sandals: 8 sensible summer solutions for sailing footwear
Unless it’s the weather for boots, most people wear deck shoes on a boat. They might be the conventional moccasin type or the newer generation of high-performance deck trainers, but…
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 chartplotter: 6 great options from marine MFDs to tablets
Before we get into which are the best chartplotters or MFDs, it is worth briefly noting the difference between the terms ‘chartplotter’ and ‘MFD’. The terms are broadly used interchangeably,…
Best sailing hats: Top boating headwear from simple caps to sou’westers and helmets
What makes a good sailing hat? In the summer as well as a good pair of sailing sunglasses, you need a good sailing hat for protection from the sun (especially…
Best trolling motors: 8 electric outboard alternatives that really pack a punch
So you’re looking for an electric outboard to whizz your RIB around the harbour. Who wouldn’t want a fancy Torqeedo to hang off your transom? But at £1,450 and up,…