All guides

It hisses, it whistles - and suddenly the inflatable boat is flat. But you don't have to throw it away: With the right inflatable boat repair know-how, you can restore your boat to almost new condition. In this guide, you will learn everything about repairing inflatable boats, mending inflatable boats and the right inflatable boat adhesive. So that your next outing is guaranteed to take place.

Many parents dream of taking their children with them on their next sailing trip - with the right preparation, this dream can easily become reality. But what do children need when sailing and from what age can you go sailing with a baby? Whether day trips or longer voyages, if you’re planning a sailing adventure with children, safety and comfort are especially important. Find here tips on how to make your sailing boat equipment suitable for children, and plenty of advice for family motorboat enthusiasts. With the right preparation, life on board can easily be one of the most enriching experiences many will encounter: create unforgettable memories and a unique feeling of togetherness, only made possible when sailing with children.

Whether you’re a dog or a cat owner, many boaters don’t like the idea of leaving their furry friends behind on land. If you decide to take your pet on board your boat, it can be challenging for both you and the animal. Things to consider include safety measures, what equipment you need and how to get your pet used to being on the boat. Thankfully, our guide is here to help with useful tips on how to take your four-legged friend on a voyage and keep the whole experience as safe and stress-free as possible. We want your adventure on the water to be successful for all creatures great and small!

The sails on your boat are constantly exposed to the forces of wind, water and sun while at sea. So it's no wonder that they show signs of wear and tear over time. But how do you repair a small tear in a sail and when is it better to get professional help or replace the sail? Find out how to spot the signs of material wear early, which techniques are suitable for repairing sails and what immediate measures you can take at sea. With the right care and a few tips on handling and correct storage, you can keep your sails in good condition for a long time.

Choosing the right deck flooring is essential when it comes to factors such as longevity, safety and level of care. But which material is the right one? Teak is considered classic and elegant, but is expensive and requires a lot of maintenance. Cork is a sustainable alternative with good slip resistance, while PVC and PU floor coverings are durable, easy to clean and versatile. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the different materials, their advantages and disadvantages as well as tips on care and selection - so that you can make the best decision for a durable, safe and easy-care boat deck.

A shore power connection on board ensures convenience and independence in the harbour. Whether for charging batteries, operating electrical appliances or lighting - a retrofitted system offers many advantages. But what is needed and what are the key considerations for the installation? From choosing the right technology to installation - our guide explains step by step how to add shore power connection to your boat. This makes installation simple, safe and standard-compliant.

If your boat windows start to leak, expert help can be costly. Water ingress is not only a nuisance, but in the worst-case scenario it can really end up being a financial burden. Luckily, handy skippers that know how to replace a window seal or even an entire boat window are at an advantage here. And for those less experienced, our guide to repairing boat windows can help and explain the most important steps.

Motorised winch handles are practical, battery-powered aids for sailors that make manual winching on yachts easier. Featuring a powerful motor and reversible direction of rotation, electric winches can be operated effortlessly and with no physical strain. A robust plastic housing ensures durability and stability. They are perfect for sailors who want to take the hard work out of winching, regardless of their strength, size or physical abilities. Suitable for all standard winch sizes.

A clean boat is not just aesthetically pleasing. Regularly cleaning your boat makes it safer and ensures it maintains its value. Furthermore, the cleaner your boat is, the more efficient it will be and also faster. But above all, taking a shiny clean boat out on the water will be a much more enjoyable experience and great fun.

Without a power source, life can be difficult on board a boat or yacht. But which marine battery is best suited for which use? Find out about the differences between the various battery types on the market and how they are used and charged correctly in our guide to marine batteries. The guide also includes a helpful boat battery test.

Anodes, also known as galvanic anodes or sacrificial anodes, are important for slowing down the corrosion of your boat's submerged metal parts. In this guide, we explain why boat anodes are so crucial and how they work. We take you through the basics of electrochemical corrosion and show which are the right boat anodes for which boat components, how to install them correctly and how to tell if a boat anode is still doing its job.

Living on a boat and spending time on the water gives you a sense of freedom and adventure, but it also comes with a whole host of particular challenges, especially when it comes to preparing and cooking food on board. Whether you're out sailing, motor boating, or just taking it easy and relaxing at anchor, good food on board is always important. So the question is, can you actually cook on a boat?  And how do you go about cooking in limited space and with limited resources? From choosing the right cooking equipment and tips on organisation and safety to clever life hacks for cooking on the boat: with our practical guide to cooking on the boat, preparing delicious dishes at sea is a piece of cake.

The lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4 battery) or LFP battery, is currently the best in the battery sector. A basic distinction is made between conventional lithium-ion batteries and the newer generation of batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries. The terms lithium-ion battery and lithium iron phosphate battery are often used interchangeably in everyday language. However, this generalisation is not correct when comparing the two types of battery directly and with regard to their chemical and technical structure. Both battery types have decisive differences. In this guide, we explain what these are in detail, which battery type has which advantages and many other details, especially about lithium iron phosphate batteries.

This FAQ page contains answers to the most frequently asked questions about LiFePOS4 batteries and how they are used on boats and yachts. Our SVB technical experts tell you what you need to know about installation, maintenance and safety requirements, battery management system (BMS), charging and discharging as well as monitoring of LiFePO4 batteries.

With the right care, your sailing clothing can last for years and years. This includes cleaning and waterproofing to ensure its functionality and maintain durability. In this guide, we give you some care tips and step-by-step instructions for cleaning, drying, waterproofing and storing so that you can enjoy your sailing clothing for as long as possible.

Maximise your time on the water for the most enjoyable sailing experience: Discover the benefits of furling systems and how they work. Find out how to choose the best roller furling system, plus how to install and care for it. Get the low-down on roller furling in this SVB guide!

Short shaft or long shaft? Which type of outboard do I need for my boat? Find out everything you need to know about shaft length in this SVB guide.

Where can I have my EPIRB programmed? How are EPIRBs registered? Find out everything you need to know in our EPIRB guide.

What are the various block manufacturers and what is important when replacing them? Our SVB experts will tell you which block is right for your boat. Take a look at our guide to boat blocks.

What does trimming mean in sailing and what do trimming tools do? How to trim like a pro? Our guide tells you everything you need to know about your trimming equipment.

Why should you use Dyneema instead of wire ropes and stainless steel fittings? Which Dyneema is right for you? Find out more about the latest in rope innovation in our Dyneema guide.

Freshwater tank or freshwater pumps? We tell you what you need to know about your on-board drinking water supply, how to treat and how to test it.

How do you choose the right marine-grade hose?  Our guide tells you what you need to know when choosing your boat hose, as well as information on the types of hoses that are available for different purposes on board.

What's the difference between an electric and a manual on-board toilet? Discover everything about the different types of marine toilet, as well as how to install and convert from one type to another.

Kapok cushions - What makes this material so special and how are cushions made from it? Find out everything you need to know and how to clean it correctly here.

What should you know before and during a charter and what do you need on board? Our checklist is the handy way to make sure you cover all bases and enjoy your charter in full.

What makes a good on-board bike? Find out why you should have a bicycle on board and what features you should look for when buying one.

What should I do in the event of a fire on board? Our SVB guide "Fire on board!" explains which extinguishing agent you should use and how to fight fires effectively.

When must navigation lights be displayed? What are the regulations concerning the use of navigation lights at sea? Find out more about lights on your sailing yacht or motorboat in our SVB guide.

What are the regulations for liferafts on recreational craft and sailing yachts? Our SVB liferaft guide helps you understand everything there is to know about these life savers for you and your crew.

Thinking about the future and want a greener solution to your energy on board? Our SVB experts explain how to use solar energy on your boat and help you find the right system for your vessel.

What are the features of marine binoculars and what are the important specs for use on board? Our guide tells you everything you need to know about marine binoculars.

What are the advantages of broadband technology? Clear images, speed, weather forecasts and more - our SVB specialists explain everything about broadband radar technology!

Paper charts are testament to an ancient art of sea navigation. Find out why they are still extremely useful to have on board and how to find the right chart to use on your trip.

Everything you wanted to know about sonar transducers (but were afraid to ask). Our SVB experts explain how to install the different transducers correctly and what specifications to look out for when buying.

Keep track of batteries and tanks with a modern PICO system monitor. Find out how to manage your on-board resources efficiently in our system monitoring guide.

Where can I use handheld radios? What functions do they have, and what are their limitations? Everything you need to know about handheld radios can be found here.

Where do you mount a VHF marine radio? Surface mount, flush or overhead - find out about the different installation options and how to fit your radio correctly here.

Should you buy an SSB amateur radio or marine radio? How do you install a marine radio correctly? Find out this and more in our SSB marine radio guide.

VHF radio: Our guide gives you an overview of marine radio licences, channel groups and frequencies, and everything else you should consider before buying.

What are the features of a chartplotter and which brand should you buy? Take a look at our guide for clear and concise buying tips and advice on using them.

What is glass fibre reinforced plastic and what is epoxy GRP? Find out everything about epoxy resins, fiberglass scrims and topcoats, plus how to work with them in our SVB guide.

What is polyester GRP and what is polyester gelcoat? What is polyester used for in boats? Learn more about the material that revolutionised boat building in our polyester guide.

How can I winterise my boat that stays in the water? What do I need to know about winterising on land? Find out more in our SVB wintering guide.

Which battery is best for your electric motor? Find out how to charge and use batteries properly in our battery guide for electric outboards.

Pro tips before starting an outboard. What fuel? What oil? Our SVB outboard guide has everything you need to know to get your outboard started without a glitch!

Which electric outboard is best for which boat? What are the advantages of e-outboards? The SVB guide to electric outboards will help you find answers to these questions and more!

What special properties must sailing apparel have? What is the three-layer system? Find out this and more in our guide to water sports clothing!

How often should I carry out maintenance on my windlass and can I service my windlass myself? Find out all about care and maintenance in our windlass guide.

Where is the best place to mount a windlass? What is the difference between a manual and electric windlass? What does a capstan do? Our SVB experts take you through this and more in our windlass guide.

How do I choose an anchor chain? What is the difference between ISO and DIN chain? Learn all about anchor chains and anchor lines in our guide.

What are the different types of anchors? How heavy must an anchor be for your boat and where are boat anchors stowed? Find out more in our anchor guide. 

What is a boat fender and when is it used? How many fenders should I have on board? Find out all about fenders in our SVB boat fender guide.