It’s every sailor’s nightmare: holed and taking on water. For Chris Beeson, the unsinkable Etap turned this sinking feeling into an unusual spa session
Gear
Lock your prop, or let it spin?
To reduce drag when you’re sailing: should you lock yourt prop, or let it spin? Emrhys Barrell’s conclusive test settles this long-running debate, once and for all
7 checks after grounding a yacht
Most of us have run aground at some point. Surveyor Ben Sutcliffe-Davies advises on what signs of damage to look for, and other check after grounding a yacht
Jury Steering
How would you get back to safety if your rudder was carried away? Chris Beeson tests three jury steering techniques on the water
Propeller rope cutter test
At best, a rope around the propeller is inconvenient. At worst, it’s deadly. Emrhys Barrell tests seven rope cutters to find out if they cut it
Diagnose and fix marine diesel engine problems
Tim Bartlett explains how you can diagnose some common marine diesel engine problems, and fix most of them
Folding and feathering propeller test
Which is the best folding or feathering prop for your boat? Emrhys Barrell compares 15 propellers for speed, thrust, drag, stopping speed and propwalk
Testing MOB retrieval and recovery kit
What’s the best kit for MOB retrieval and recovery? Chris Beeson tested a range of pushpit-mounted products to find the answer
Sea toilet smell? Get a fresh heads
Are you gagging at the smell in the heads? Nigel Calder explains the best way to eliminate that sea toilet smell from your heads and holding tank
Novel emergency boarding ladder
An emergency boarding ladder became essential kit for intrepid small boat cruiser Jim Mottram after he was knocked overboard while anchoring