From the Author
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the boating family. Many of us have been around boats all of ours lives. Still many are new to the pleasures of boat ownership and the joy it can bring to all involved. I will, over the course of this book, endeavor to help all of you, regardless of your talents or experience.
The heart of any boat is her engine. The engine and its related support systems must be maintained to high standards if your boat is to be safe, reliable and a pleasure to board. Certain jobs must be accomplished on a regular schedule if you expect your boat to operate to your satisfaction.
We are about to embark on projects that will save you money on your boat work. The projects will be handled in a step-by-step method of explanation. The tools needed will be referred to as warranted, as will product names. If I have used a product or tool with great success it will be mentioned and you can use it with confidence. The projects in this book can be accomplished by most novice handy persons. I am not writing to the 20 year professional. They don't need my books, although many do buy them. If you are more experienced in your craftsmanship skills you will find this book will reinforce what you have learned and possibly show you a new method of doing an old job. Many of these will save time and most will save money in one way or another.
The projects will cover most everything you will need to know to keep your vessel in good, safe, working order with a minimum of time and money spent.
I hope your life on the water will be as enjoyable as mine has been, for you will soon find there is no better way to spend a day, a week, or a lifetime than simply "Messing About On Boats".
About the Author
John Kaufman lives the life of which he writes. He has been on and around boats and the water since childhood. As the years passed, his love of the lifestyle grew and with that growth came the knowledge he passes onto his readers.
Although most of us find it difficult to enjoy boat work, John has no greater pleasure. The only exception may be cruising, providing he can find a boat to repair along the way.
His enjoyment of the work is readily apparent as he covers each project. As you read these pages, you will discover John can make the seemingly hard tasks easy to understand and accomplish. John currently lives aboard and cruises on his 1963 Matthews Vintage Motoryacht "Ship Happens". She is an elegant woman and a fine vessel. During his course of ownership he has completely restored her to her original condition. Not better than new, as John will be the first to say, "A Matthews, could never have been built any better." When the restoration was complete, he proceeded with the upgrades to the systems. This provides ease of maintenance and comfort for his cruising lifestyle. After thirty years of boating John claims to have found the vessel he could not sell.
John states his view of life in one simple phrase. "Life is too short to miss out on even one two hour cruise."
