Ben Meakins

Formerly Deputy Editor of Practical Boat Owner magazine, Ben has spent a lifetime on the water, racing and cruising a variety of boats. He shares his time afloat with his young family between fettling, racing and family cruising in his Impala 28 and exploring local rivers in an Iain Oughtred Guillemot dinghy.

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Best satellite phone: 8 models to help you keep in touch at sea

24.02.2021

Buying the best satellite phone is, of course, just the start – you’ll also need a SIM card and data plan. These vary considerably in cost and it’s worth spending…

Best boat wax: 5 top products to make your topsides shine

05.01.2021

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 boat paint: 9 of the best DIY topcoats for fibreglass, wood or metal

26.11.2020

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 marine binoculars: 7 of the best pairs for keeping a good lookout on board

27.10.2020

Whether for identifying a tricky harbour entrance, taking a closer look at an approaching ship or even looking for the breeze, a decent pair of marine binoculars will repay their…