Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair (IM Sailboat Library) [Hardcover]

Don Casey (Author)

Book Description

Series: IM Sailboat Library | Publication Date: January 1, 1996

A fiberglass hull's seamless nature leads many boatowners to conclude that repair must be difficult. Wrong. Here, clearly and abundantly illustrated, is all you need to know to seal joints, bed hardware, replace portlights, locate leaks, fix cracks and even holes, restore your hull's gloss, renew nonskid decks, and much more. You'll wonder what you were worried about.

Editorial Reviews

Review

``The reader can almost feel the hand-holding this book provides--if [Casey's other books] are only half as clear as this one, I would want to own them all.'' (Dockside )

About the Author

Don Casey credits the around-the-world voyage of Robin Lee Graham, featured in National Geographic in the late 1960s, with opening his eyes to the world beyond the shoreline. After graduation from the University of Texas he moved to south Florida, where he began to spend virtually all his leisure time messing about in boats.

In 1983 he abandoned a career in banking to devote more time to cruising and writing. His work combining these two passions soon began to appear in many popular sailing and boating magazines. In 1986 he co-authored Sensible Cruising: The Thoreau Approach, an immediate best-seller and the book responsible for pushing many would-be cruisers over the horizon. He is also author of This Old Boat, a universally praised guide that has led thousands of boatowners through the process of turning a rundown production boat into a first-class yacht, and of Sailboat Refinishing, Sailboat Hull & Deck Repair, Canvaswork & Sail Repair, and Inspecting the Aging Sailboat, all part of the International Marine Sailboat Library. He continues to evaluate old and new products and methods, often trying them on his own 30-year-old, much-modified, Allied Seawind.

When not writing or off cruising, he can be found sailing on Florida's Biscayne Bay.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070133697
• ISBN-13: 978-0070133693
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Sailing > Instructional
  • #89 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Boating

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of details in a small package, August 21, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair (IM Sailboat Library) (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book for someone who knows nothing about fiberglass boat repair. It starts off with a brief discussion of the three major sealant types (polysulfide, polyurethane and silicone) and when to use each. Other sections cover the different types of resin, epoxy choices, etc. etc. Excellent information when trying to decide which of the gazillion products to purchase in the boating catalogs. Major sections include Leaks (finding and fixing, installing deck hardware), Restoring the Gloss (polishing and scratch repair), Deck Repairs (stress cracks, voids, nonskid surfaces, and teak decks), Laminate Repair (fiberglass layup, types of resins, epoxy), Core Problems (wet core, stiffening), Hull Repairs (gouges, blisters, impact damage), Keel and Rudder Damage (centerboard pivots, weeping keels, etc.) This little book is not afraid to tackle big projects--the Core Problems section for example shows the repair of a huge 2-foot diameter section of rotted core. The book makes it sound easy, but I'd rather not think about that much work. The section on gelcoat--what it is, how it is manufactured, and how to keep it looking good as long as possible--is by itself worth the price of the book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2nd best book on Fiberglass repairs, and not just for sailboats, March 7, 2006

By 

R. Young "Mensch-in-training" (East Bay, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair (IM Sailboat Library) (Hardcover)

While I actually like "Fiberglass Repair: Polyester or Epoxy" by David and Zora Aiken a touch better than this book, they are both strong. They both have lots of clear ILLUSTRATIONS, which to my mind are preferable to photos at depicting this sort of information.

Blister repair (not addressed at all in older books on fiberglass repeair), wet deck cores, gelcoat cosmetics are all covered, as well as a good discussion of when to use Epoxy resins versus the cheaper Polyesters. I recommend this book for owners of ALL fiberglass boats, as the construction and repairs are quite universal.

The relatively large format of this book helps the clarity of the drawings, and makes it possible to imagine using it like a cookbook, propped open on the workbench as you step through the steps.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars what a relief, June 10, 1998

By 

"jeffonthebodkin" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair (IM Sailboat Library) (Hardcover)

With surprising (for a how-to book) and welcomed literateness, Don Casey instructs the cowering novice (me) in the black arts of fiberglass repair. Though I haven't yet proved his lessons in practice, I already feel more confident and competent. And isn't that what how-to books are all about?