Customer Reviews

Know Your Boat : The Guide to Everything That Makes Your Boat Work

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Very clear with plenty of easy to follow drawings and schematics, this book sheds light on very confusing aspects of boat ownership, chartering, surveying or just 'using'. Now, when I lift a floorboard or the engine room I know what every piece is and is supposed to do. David cruised extensively and he gives us the benefit of all his mistakes. I strongly suggest buying this book and keepint it on board.

Mr. Sollers covers the systems that make a boat work with a considerable amount of humor. For example, he calls boat owning a disease, an addiction. He says there should be organizations to help. I've gotten a lot of laughs out of this volume, some darned good advice too. It's a must have book, especially for someone who is new to boats and has never had a wrench in his hand.

As a new owner of a 25 foot powerboat, I was eager to delve into this book and learn about the systems on my boat. The description here led me to believe that this book would be pertinent.

I did not find it helpful. The author excludes outboard motors from discussion. Six of the ten chapters don't pertain at all to boats like mine: Engine Basics (because outboards are excluded), Freshwater Plumbing, Marine Toilets, Stoves, Sinks, and Refrigeration, Sailboat Rigging, and Getting Ready for the Big Trip.

Relatively few new boat owners begin with a boat of a size that typically includes such features. If the description had more accurately described what one would find inside, I would have saved my money.

This book is very well written and fun to read. Great illustrations and some very relevant and informative sea stories.
It's a great cover to cover read and then keep on hand for reference.
Probably the best thing about this book is the philosophy of being self-sufficent and learning how to handle problems that arise all on your own. (Because sooner or later, you're going to have to!)
This book does a great job of getting the reader started on the self sufficent path.
Great book for begginer boaters, but good for intermediate and advanced boaters as well. Even the saltiest of dogs could learn a few things here.
To me it seemed equally suited to motor boaters and sailors.
Lastly, it's a lot like talking to the friendly guy down at the harbor who seems to know everything and always gives you good advice, insights and pointers when you ask him.
Pays for itself and well worth the price.

My husband got this book, then insisted I read it. It really gives me insight into our boat. Now the secret does not belong to him alone and I can feel more pride in knowing my boat.

Will be appreciated by fans of John Muir's ubiquitous "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Guide for the Complete Idiot," without the Eastern mysticism. Lots of simple illustrations that are both humorous and informative. Explanations are comprehensive without being overwhelming. Can't think of an important system he left out (unless you need help fixing your dingy's outboard.) After reading this book, I was actually excited about diving into my day-sailer's systems, and I look forward to the challenge of a bigger boat.

I recommend this book to anyone new to boating. It is written with humor and gives solid information regarding the working systems involved in a vessel. Although the information is not specific to any one type of vessel, the detail (and illustrations) are very useful in understanding the functions of (engines, boat electricity, plumbing, among other items and of course toilets).