YouBoat Blog - Marine News & Resources

How to tie up a boat in a marina, on a mooring buoy or against a harbour wall. When you use a mooring you want to know that your boat will be safe, whether you’re simply staying for a few hours or leaving the boat over winter. In this guide, we’ll explain which ropes to use and why, and how...

Pryotechnics, electronic flares, EPIRBs, PLBs and VHF radio In an emergency, using the right distress signals to call for help can be the difference between life and death. There's a huge choice of distress signalling equipment, from traditional flares to modern electronics. So what are the pros and cons of each, and how do you choose? Mayday, Mayday In most...

Portable, versatile and convenient, inflatable dinghies can be invaluable. Their primary purpose is to act as tenders, carrying people and supplies to shore when a yacht or motorboat is at anchor or on a mooring buoy.  In addition, you can use inflatable dinghies for recreation. For example, they’re great for fishing, day trips and picnics on the beach. As you’re...

For small craft like inflatable tenders, SIBs, F-RIBs and day boats, the choice of outboard has never been better. Back in the day it was oars or a trusty Seagull, but now boat owners can select from any number of small petrol or electric motors. Many boat owners are rightly concerned about climate change and reducing their impact on the...

Choosing the right anchor for your boat and location is important. While most boats come with an anchor, you may want to replace an old design with more modern technology, move to a design that is more effective for the seabed where you sail, or choose one that is easier to stow and deploy. Anchoring gives every boater more options...

At YouBoat Marine, we’re always looking for ways to keep our valued customers at the forefront of our business and maintain a good relationship with them. One of the ways we like to give back to our customers is our loyalty scheme.   What is our loyalty scheme? YouBoat Marine's loyalty scheme is a free, ‘pay-as-you-go’ system that gives those...

How often to antifoul a boat is one of our most frequently asked maintenance questions from our customers. In this guide, we’ll explain what antifouling is, why it’s important and how often you should antifoul your boat so that you can keep your vessel in the best condition possible. What is antifouling? Antifouling is the procedure of protecting your boat’s...

Inflatable boats have developed immensely over the years and cuts, leaks and tears are far less common than they used to be. However although the technology has come a long way, some tenders and inflatable dinghies will inevitably need repairing due to general wear and tear, a sharp object piercing through the inflatable structure or going over rocks. If this...

Life jackets and buoyancy aids are an essential part of sailing and other water sports for that matter. Also known as Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), there are lifejackets and buoyancy aids to suit every boating activity, from ocean yachting to stand-up paddleboarding. Life jackets are designed to keep someone who has fallen overboard afloat without the need to swim, whereas...

With the Christmas period here again, it’s that time of year where we are looking for gift ideas for those close to us. If you have either a friend or family member who loves yachts or is a keen sailor, it can be tough knowing what to get. Whether it’s for someone who has just bought their own boat, or...