Do yourself a favor: if you own a boat, you should also own the Boatowner's Mechanical & Electrical Manual. Written in a simple, accessible style, the Manual is aimed at helping the nonexpert solve problems in marine systems--think of it as a friendly mechanic. Author Nigel Calder explains how the systems work, helps you troubleshoot and identify problems, and presents clear and concise instructions on how to repair them. Best of all, Calder also offers helpful advice on how to prevent future system failure. Absolutely indispensable for boat owners. --M. Stein


Review
``A truly remarkable bible--This book is the best kind that I am aware of, and it should become part of the ship's library for every self-sufficient cruiser.''


Professional Boat Builder
"Several feet of shelf space in [our] technical library is devoted to material published in recent years on marine systems for small craft. But the single most frequently reached for reference in this collection is [this book]... It has effectively supplanted everything else on that shelf."


Practical Sailor
"An impressive compilation of advice on boat equipment and systems-one of the best we've seen-Much of the information cannot be found anywhere else."


WoodenBoat
"A truly remarkable bible-This book is the best kind that I am aware of, and it should become part of the ship's library for every self-sufficient cruiser."


Sail
"This book should come as standard equipment with every boat."


Book Description
Regardless of your skill level, Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual makes boat maintenance and repair fast, fun and easy! Hundreds of tips and techniques for maintaining, troubleshooting and fixing every working part and system on your boat--all clearly explained in step-by-step detail. How to make sure your boat's electrical system provides all the power you need; Common and little-known tips for keeping your batteries and charging system safe and trouble-free; Simple test procedures for grounding circuits on boats; Best way to prevent galvanic corrosion on newly installed equipment; Easy, reliable way to make sure your inverter can handle peak AC appliance load; Often overlooked preventive maintenance for diesel engines. What to do right after start-up, while in use and at regular intervals during the season to ensure years of trouble-free boating; 8-point troubleshooting procedure for poor pickup; How to replace a transmission output-shaft oil seal. 5 simple steps to stop loss of transmission oil; Secret trick for keeping deck hardware fastened tight no matter how excessive the loads. Works every time. 7 safety tips for repairing masthead lights and other fixtures on top of the mast; and much, much more.


From the Back Cover

Regardless of your skill level, Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual makes boat maintenance and repair fast, fun and easy!

Nigel Calder delivers hundreds of tips and techniques for maintaining, troubleshooting and fixing every working part and system on your boat­­all clearly explained in step-by-step detail. You'll discover: How to make sure your boat's electrical system provides all the power you need Common and little-known tips for keeping your batteries and charging system safe and trouble-free Simple test procedures for grounding circuits on boats Best way to prevent galvanic corrosion on newly installed equipment Easy, reliable way to make sure your inverter can handle peak AC appliance load Often overlooked preventive maintenance for diesel engines

Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual shows you what to do right after start-up, while in use, and at regular intervals during the season to ensure years of trouble-free boating, including: Eight-point troubleshooting procedure for eliminating poor pickup How to replace a transmission output-shaft oil seal Five simple steps to stop the loss of transmission oil Tricks for keeping deck hardware fastened tight no matter how excessive the loads Seven safety tips for repairing masthead lights and other fixtures on top of the mast And much, much more


About the Author

Nigel Calder is the author of Marine Diesel Engines and Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual, the success of which has made him the most sought-after marine how-to writer in the U.S. and U.K. He has published more than 800 magazine articles in SAIL, Cruising World, Ocean Navigator, Yachting World, and lectures on cruising to sell-out crowds. He is also the author of The Cruising Guide to The Northwest Caribbean.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Regardless of your skill level, Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual makes boat maintenance and repair fast, fun and easy! Hundreds of tips and techniques for maintaining, troubleshooting and fixing every working part and system on your boat—all clearly explained in step-by-step detail. How to make sure your boat's electrical system provides all the power you need; Common and little-known tips for keeping your batteries and charging system safe and trouble-free; Simple test procedures for grounding circuits on boats; Best way to prevent galvanic corrosion on newly installed equipment; Easy, reliable way to make sure your inverter can handle peak AC appliance load; Often overlooked preventive maintenance for diesel engines. What to do right after start-up, while in use and at regular intervals during the season to ensure years of trouble-free boating; 8-point troubleshooting procedure for poor pickup; How to replace a transmission output-shaft oil seal. 5 simple steps to stop loss of transmission oil; Secret trick for keeping deck hardware fastened tight no matter how excessive the loads. Works every time. 7 safety tips for repairing masthead lights and other fixtures on top of the mast; and much, much more.

SYNOPSIS

Regardless of your skill level, Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual makes boat maintenance and repair fast, fun and easy!

Nigel Calder delivers hundreds of tips and techniques for maintaining, troubleshooting and fixing every working part and system on your boat­­all clearly explained in step-by-step detail. You'll discover: How to make sure your boat's electrical system provides all the power you need Common and little-known tips for keeping your batteries and charging system safe and trouble-free Simple test procedures for grounding circuits on boats Best way to prevent galvanic corrosion on newly installed equipment Easy, reliable way to make sure your inverter can handle peak AC appliance load Often overlooked preventive maintenance for diesel engines