Boat Improvements for the Practical Sailor [Hardcover]

Stephen J. Fishman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 25, 1999

Starting with an introduction to nuts and bolts, and tools of the trade, the reader is led step-by-step through more than 20 substantial projects including sound insulating an engine, repairing a bilge pump, installing shelves, etc...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... an instructive and thoroughly-accessible guide to 20 substantial projects." -- Charleston Daily News, January 2001

This is a wonderful book as it is written for the amateur who has no special training in many of the areas discussed. It is also concise and clearly written, and is accompanied by myriad of drawings. As such it is an ideal guide for those who have neither an unlimited array of power tools, nor the skills to use those tools well. Starting with an introduction to nuts and bolts, adhesives and glues, and tools of the trade, the reader is led step-by-step through more than 20 substantial projects.

The following are just some of the subjects covered: Control lines to the cockpit; covers, dodgers and biminis; Converting to refrigeration; Bilge pumps; beneath the settee; galley upgrades; a leather steering wheel cover; insulating the engine compartment.

The book is littered with hints and tips under the heading "Rule of Thumb," and while some may be simple and well known rules of thumb, if nothing else they reinforce the simplicity with which one can obtain good results for a variety of jobs.

Anyone who is maintaining and upgrading their own boat, would be well advised to read this wonderful book. -- Sailing Inland & Offshore, August 1999

About the Author

Stephen J. Fishman owns and operates a marine repair and maintenance company on the US Gulf Coast.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sheridan House (June 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574090682
• ISBN-13: 978-1574090680
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,507,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good book for live-aboard sailors, August 21, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Boat Improvements for the Practical Sailor (Hardcover)

This book would probably get more stars from someone who has a boat in the 25' and up class, as most of the projects are for larger sailboats. I'm a trailer sailor (Potter 19) so most of the improvements described in the book don't work for me. It's a well-done book, though, with good descriptions and excellent illustrations, and a brief but useful introduction on the tools and materials required for boat repair. Among the projects discussed are: upgrading the galley .. converting to refrigeration .. running control lines to the cockpit .. converting a traveler to line control .. constructing sun shades .. maintaining and repairing bilge pump .. insulating the engine compartment .. increasing battery power .. installing a second shorepower inlet .. creating a dockside water connection .. adding a television/telephone input .. installing a TV .. cockpit speakers and stereos .. relocating a VHF .. installing polyethylene shelves in the head and galley .. storage space beneath the settee .. installing a V-berth cedar closet .. leather steering wheel cover .. leather chafe gear .. waxing and polishing decks and hulls .. refinishing wood with Cetol

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Sailboat Improvement Book, January 11, 2004

By 

Joe Cimbak - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boat Improvements for the Practical Sailor (Hardcover)

I bought one of these Sail Improvement Project Books. I wanted to tell you how GOOD this book is. I'm an engineer and a sailor and I love to work on boats and read about them. This is one of those RARE books that comes along now and again that really adds value. I'm serious, this is well written. I've cruised smaller sailboats (28-28 footers) for a decade now and every single project this author writes about is dedicated to the craft of upgrading a sailboat to make it more convenient, safe and livable. It is written in a no-nonsense style, all diagrams make sense and all chapters are purposeful. I'm really happy I got this book.

Just wanted to tell you all how happy I am with this book. If you want to upgrade your boat to make it really convenient for the Captain, this is your book!