Blog and guides: information to support decisions on the water
This is a library of existing information material, not a service offer, a vessel directory or a consultation. Choose a section to go to a topic, or use the filters below to find a specific article. The refit library has its own full index.
Paths through the knowledge
Go to the category that matches your vessel, your cruising plan or the scope of work. The information sections lead to guides, while the directories and the refit offer stay separate. The entries below lead to sections, not to non-existent posts.
Buying and selling
Documents, valuation, inspection and handover — transaction guides.
Go to the guides →Market pioneers
Directories of yards, makers of smaller boats, and engines and drives.
Go to the manufacturers →Charter
Choosing the vessel, the destination, the budget and the operator before booking a trip.
Plan your charter →Refits
Open the full library of refit guides — an index of all renb-*.html entries.
Open the library →All entries are visible.
Refits and repairs
How to prepare the hull for the season
Step by step: cleaning, antifouling and checking the coatings before launch.
Read on →Teak refit — care step by step
Cleaning, oiling and protecting a teak deck so it lasts for years.
Read on →Osmosis in a laminate hull — diagnosis and repair
Diagnosing and fully repairing osmosis in a polyester laminate hull — drying, sanding, barrier coat.
Read on →Sanding gelcoat step by step
How to sand gelcoat properly — choosing grit, wet and dry technique, and preparation for polishing.
Read on →Polishing the hull to a mirror finish
Polishing gelcoat to a deep gloss — choosing compounds, pads, machine speed and protection with wax or a coating.
Read on →Antifouling — choosing and applying an anti-fouling coating
How to choose and apply antifouling — coating types (ablative, hard), hull preparation and safe application.
Read on →Repairing gelcoat cracks and chips
Repairing scratches, crazing and gelcoat chips — opening up the cracks, matching the colour and finishing to a gloss.
Read on →Hand lamination — repairing a hull puncture
Repairing a hull puncture with glass-epoxy laminate — a bevelled grind, laying the cloth and rebuilding the gelcoat.
Read on →Refitting a teak deck — cleaning and recaulking
Cleaning, sanding and recaulking a teak deck — restoring the colour and replacing the seams between planks.
Read on →Painting the hull with two-component (polyurethane) paints
Painting a hull with 2K polyurethane — preparation, primer, spray and roller-and-brush technique, and isocyanate safety.
Read on →Skin fittings and seacocks — inspection and replacement
Inspecting and replacing skin fittings and seacocks — choosing materials, fitting, sealing and safety.
Read on →Restoring a wooden classic — hull planking
Restoring the planking of a classic wooden yacht — assessing the boards, replacing strakes, caulking and preservation.
Read on →Varnishing yacht woodwork — 1K vs 2K varnish
Varnishing yacht woodwork — comparing 1K and 2K varnishes, number of coats, sanding between coats and UV protection.
Read on →Repairing the rudder and rudder stock
Diagnosing and repairing the rudder and stock — bearing play, a waterlogged blade, shaft corrosion and laminate rebuilding.
Read on →Keel refit — ballast and the joint with the hull
Restoring a ballast keel — the keel smile, cast iron/lead corrosion, keel bolts and resealing the joint.
Read on →Replacing deck hardware and fighting leaks
Fitting and sealing deck hardware — the overdrill technique, choosing the sealant, backing plates and eliminating leaks.
Read on →Refitting the 12/24 V electrical system
Refitting a 12/24 V system — choosing cable, protection, crimped joints, corrosion and safety rules.
Read on →Outboard engine maintenance
Flushing, changing the oil and plugs, and protecting an outboard step by step.
Read on →Diesel engine service — impeller, filters, oils
A complete service of a marine diesel: oils, fuel and air filters, impeller and bleeding.
Read on →Refitting an aluminium mast
Cleaning, corrosion repair and painting of an aluminium mast, plus inspection of fittings and tracks.
Read on →Inspecting and replacing standing rigging (shrouds and stays)
How to assess wear on shrouds and stays, replace standing rigging safely and tune the mast.
Read on →Sail repair and care
Cleaning, minor seam and cloth repairs, and correct sail storage for a longer service life.
Read on →Interior refit — upholstery and materials
Replacing foam and covers, choosing marine fabrics and fighting damp under the mattresses in a yacht cabin.
Read on →Removing and preventing mould on a yacht
Removing mould from a yacht interior effectively, and lasting ways to prevent damp and spores.
Read on →Restoring and polishing stainless steel (rails, pulpits)
Removing rust bloom, polishing and passivating stainless steel on rails, pulpits and fittings.
Read on →Repairing and replacing tanks (fuel, water, waste)
Diagnosing, repairing and replacing fuel, fresh water and holding tanks together with their plumbing and venting.
Read on →Restoring windows and portlights — seals and acrylic
Repairing leaking windows and portlights: replacing seals, re-bedding and restoring hazed acrylic.
Read on →Winterising a yacht — complete preparation
A complete yacht winterising list: engine, water systems, batteries, hull and frost protection.
Read on →Gearbox, propeller shaft and stern gland — inspection
Inspecting the gearbox, shaft alignment and cutless bearing, plus servicing conventional and dripless seals.
Read on →Repairing a damp deck core (balsa/foam)
Diagnosing and repairing a damp core in a sandwich laminate (balsa/foam): drying and rebuilding.
Read on →Renewing the deck non-slip surface
Renewing deck non-slip: painting with added grit or TPE/EVA panels for safe grip.
Read on →Repairing bulkheads and structural reinforcements
Diagnosing and repairing detached or rotten bulkheads and structural reinforcements in a yacht hull.
Read on →Choosing and replacing lines: mooring lines, sheets, halyards
How to choose the diameter and type of rope for mooring lines, sheets and halyards, and replace them safely.
Read on →Servicing winches — cleaning and greasing
Step by step: stripping, cleaning, greasing and checking the pawls of a yacht winch.
Read on →Repairing an inflatable and a RIB
Locating the leak, choosing adhesive for PVC and Hypalon, and bonding a durable patch on a tender.
Read on →Yacht pumps: bilge, fresh water, waste
Choosing, fitting and maintaining bilge pumps, fresh water pressure pumps and waste pumps.
Read on →Solar installation on a yacht (panels, MPPT controller)
Energy balance, choosing panels and an MPPT controller, and a correct, safe solar installation.
Read on →Choosing batteries: AGM, gel and LiFePO4
AGM, gel and LiFePO4 compared: usable capacity, charging, BMS and choosing a safe bank.
Read on →Anchor, chain and ground tackle — choice and inspection
Choosing the anchor type and weight, the chain length, and inspecting shackles, the swivel and the bitter end.
Read on →Anodes and protection against galvanic corrosion
How cathodic protection works, how to match the anode material to the water and when to replace it.
Read on →Fire safety and extinguishers on board
Choosing extinguishers, engine bay protection, a fire blanket and how to react to a fire on board.
Read on →Servicing the genoa furler drum
How to strip, clean and service a genoa furler drum so the sail rolls smoothly and safely.
Read on →Repairing deck hatches and companionways — sealing
A practical guide to repairing leaking hatches and companionways: replacing seals, re-bedding the frame and protecting the deck.
Read on →Servicing refrigeration and the yacht fridge
How to maintain and service a yacht fridge: compressor, evaporator, condenser ventilation and cool box insulation.
Read on →Water heater and hot water system on a yacht
Fitting and servicing a yacht water heater: heating from the engine and 230 V, the coil, the safety valve and the thermostatic mixer.
Read on →Fitting navigation electronics and transducers
How to fit a chartplotter, log, echo sounder and transducers and link them over an NMEA 2000 backbone into one reliable network.
Read on →Cleaning and refurbishing the bilge
How to clean the bilge effectively and safely, remove oil and odour, and prepare it for inspection and painting.
Read on →Repairing coloured gelcoat and matching the colour
How to repair a chip in coloured gelcoat and match the colour so the repair is as invisible as possible.
Read on →Oil or varnish on teak — comparing the methods
Oil, varnish or leave it bare? A comparison of teak care methods on a yacht, with the drawbacks, benefits and practice.
Read on →How to prepare a yacht for a survey
How to prepare a yacht for a surveyor so the inspection runs smoothly and gives a credible, favourable result.
Read on →Washing, waxing and seasonal yacht care
How to wash, de-iron and protect gelcoat with wax or a coating so the laminate keeps its gloss all season.
Read on →Refitting the guard rail and storm rail (pulpits, wires)
Checking, repairing and replacing stanchions, pulpits and guard wires — a key part of safety on deck.
Read on →Exhaust system and waterlock — checking and repair
How a wet exhaust with a waterlock works and how to check hoses, clamps and the anti-siphon loop to keep water out of the engine.
Read on →The propeller — cleaning, protection and reconditioning
Cleaning, polishing, antifouling protection and propeller reconditioning, plus checks of anodes and the shaft.
Read on →Bow thruster — service
Servicing a bow thruster: anodes, propellers, greasing the legs, checking the power supply and clutches so manoeuvres stay reliable.
Read on →A2 vs A4 stainless — choosing fasteners for a yacht
How A2 (304) steel differs from A4 (316), where to use each on a yacht, and how to avoid galvanic and crevice corrosion.
Read on →Fuel lines and yacht hoses — replacement
Safe replacement of fuel hoses: the right standards, clamps, water separator and leak checks in diesel and petrol systems.
Read on →Refitting a boat trailer
Trailer refit: hubs and bearings, brakes, the lighting circuit, rollers and supports, and protecting the frame from corrosion.
Read on →Buying and selling
What to look out for when buying a used yacht
Documentation, a hull inspection and 10 questions worth asking the seller.
Read on →How to sell a yacht well
Valuation, preparing the vessel and a photo session that sells.
Read on →Charter
How to choose a yacht for charter
Sailing, motor or catamaran? Matching the vessel to the crew, the waters and the budget.
Read on →The best waters for chartering
Croatia, Greece, the Caribbean or the Masurian Lakes — which waters suit which trip and skill level.
Read on →How much a yacht charter costs
Deposit, transit log, fuel and marinas — what the cost of a trip really consists of.
Read on →Chartering with and without a licence
What licence you need and how to get out on the water before you have one.
Read on →Sailing and service
Your first trip without a skipper — a guide
Route planning, a checklist and the basics of safety on board.
Read on →The engine service — what not to skip
Filters, impeller, oils and the cooling system: a checklist you can run yourself.
Read on →