How Boat Things Work : An Illustrated Guide [Hardcover]

Charlie Wing (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2003

A look inside the mysterious machines that power, steer, and control sailboats and powerboats

A fully illustrated tour of a boat's mysterious machines and gizmos, this beautifully detailed guide features more than 100 cutaway and exploded drawings to give readers a glimpse into the inner workings of both powerboats and sailboats, including engines and propulsion gear, steering, rigging, ground tackle, electronic gear, electrical systems, and plumbing.

Eighty principal devices and systems are covered, each in a two-page spread complete with simple explanations of parts, tips for disassembly and assembly, and instructions for troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair. Ideal for do-it-yourselfers, this is an essential onboard resource that even the mechanically impaired can appreciate.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Discover the intricate workings of sailboats and powerboats from ground tackle to propulsion gear--and everything in between!

Whether you're a new mariner or a lifetime veteran, How Boat Things Work is a resource you can't afford to be without. With intricate two-color cutaway drawings of eighty different systems and devices, as well as detailed explanations of how they're assembled, how they work, and how they can go wrong, this book covers every primary component of your boat's inner workings. Systems explored include:

• Engines, transmissions, bearings, stuffing boxes, propellers
• Steering systems, autopilots, windvanes, compasses
• Rigging, splicing, line handling, block and tackle, sail controls
• Anchors and windlasses
• DC and AC electrical systems
• Pumps, toilets, seacocks, freshwater systems

This introduction to the secret lives of boats is also the ideal complement to your troubleshooting and repair manuals and instructions. How Boat Things Work will be a welcome companion on every voyage you take.

About the Author

Charlie Wing received his Ph.D. in oceanography from MIT. Wing lived aboard a cruising sailboat for six years, during which he obtained his U.S. Coast Guard Captain's license. His frustration with available study guides for the coast guard exams led him to create International Marine's bestselling Get Your Captain's License, now in its third edition. He is also the author of three other International Marine books, including Boatowner's Illustrated Handbook of Wiring.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (July 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071377549
• ISBN-13: 978-0071377546
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,432,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Charlie Wing, an acknowledged authority on home building and remodeling, specializes in translating technical information into layman's terms. He founded the Shelter Institute, the nation's first owner-builder school. He has been the host and writer of a national PBS TV series about remodeling and is the author of 14 home-related books, including How Your House Works. He lives in West Bath, Maine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential boating information, September 12, 2005

By 

John R. Piccini - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How Boat Things Work : An Illustrated Guide (Hardcover)

An excellent and "must Have" addition to any boating library. For a small, easily read book, there is a tremendous amount of useful information from tying knots to the dynamics of a prop.