Sailboat Electrics Simplified (Hardcover)

by Don Casey (Author) "How many sailors does it take to screw in a light bulb?..." (more)
Key Phrases: grounding socket, isolating diodes, boat wiring, Ohm's Law (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Don't Be Baffled by Your Electrical System--Handle Repairs and Improvements with Ease

With clear illustrations and simple explanations, Don Casey shows you exactly how to install wiring . . . make good, safe connections . . . match your battery bank and alternator to your needs . . . troubleshoot problems quickly . . . avoid shore power problems . . . and more--all without a lot of technical jargon.

"Don Casey's book provides clear guidance on how to create and maintain a robust electrical system. Don's lucid explanations and numerous illustrations make what is normally mysterious and invisible--electricity--into something the reader is able to understand with confidence. An excellent addition to the sailor's seagoing library." --Chuck Hawley

From the Back Cover
Don't be baffled by your electrical system--handle repairs and improvements with ease! With clear illustrations and simple explanations, Don Casey shows you exactly how to install wiring... make good, safe connections... match your battery bank and alternator to your needs... troubleshoot problems quickly... avoid shore power problems... and more--all without a lot of technical jargon. "Don Casey's book provides clear guidance on how to create and maintain a robust electrical system. Don's lucid explanations and numerous illustrations make what is normally mysterious and invisible--electricity--into something the reader is able to understand with confidence. An excellent addition to the sailor's seagoing library."--Chuck Hawley.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (March 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070366497
• ISBN-13: 978-0070366497
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,517 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #9 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Outdoor Recreation > Sailing > Instructional
  #19 in	Books > Nonfiction > Transportation > Ships > Repair & Maintenance
  #50 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Electrical & Electronics > Electronics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book - worth twice the price, August 26, 2002

By	Arno E Jones (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

I've been wiring cars and motorcycles for 30 years. I also work with microcontrollers and supporting circuity and electronics in general. Somebody suggested that I get into boat electrics and maybe I could help support my cruising kitty (when the time comes) by working on other peoples sailboats. It seemed like a good idea, so I set out learning what I could and to gain some experience. The first thing I did was to buy every book I could lay my hands on on boat wiring and read them from cover to cover. Now that I've wired and repaired a few sailboats I realized that out of all the books I have, only two were refered to continuously while the rest have collected dust. This book is one of them.

First of all, it is a very easy book to read. There is not a wasted word in the whole book. All concepts are concise and easily understood. When you need a diagram to grok a concept, it is there. You can sit down and read this book like a novel it's written so well.

Second, it leaves no assumptions. Sure, I'd like to think I know all things electrical, but I don't. Sailboat electrics is as different from automotive electrics as cake is from pie. I learned about the difference between marine and automotive batteries. I learned about corrosion and zincs. I picked up the concept of sailboat characteristics in a lightning strike. These are the categories that are not covered in automotive books or even in general Electrical Engineering courses.

I think this book should be every boaters first choice in sailboat electrics. I recommend it to everyone who has an interest. If you feel you need even more detail, or equipment-specific knowledge, you can always pick up (my 2nd must-have book choice): Boatowner's Mechanical & Electrical Manual: How to Maintain, Repair, and Improve Your Boat's Essential Systems.

Between the two, you will have on hand a reference to everything you will need to know.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book, July 3, 2000

By	Gerald Siu (Santa Monica, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

An outstanding book. I myself knew absolutely nothing about electricity when I first bought this book - although obviously it didn't make me an expert, it nonetheless taught me what I needed to know to start modifying my boat's electrical systems. I admit that I am biased - Don Casey is one of my favorite sailing authors - but if you are a novice and need to upgrade your boat's electrics, this is the book to get.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars elegant, June 28, 2000

By	joel bremer (great lakes) - See all my reviews

I have a twenty-five boat with modest electrical needs. This book gave me all the foundational material I needed to start and finish my project but more importantly presented the material in a very readable even entertaining fasion while remaining efficient. Great diagrams, great book, great sailing.