Outboard Engines: Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Repair (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "This book isn't meant to turn you into an engine overhaul specialist, so we don't need to go into great detail about your engine's insides..." (more)
Key Phrases: overheating sensor, lower gearcase, flush adapter (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

If like most do-it-yourselfers you've relied on a sketchy owner's manual or one of those abstruse shop manuals written for professional mechanics to keep your onboard running, here's an end to your frustration. This abundantly illustrated nonthreatening guide is filled with effective maintenance, repair, and advanced troubleshooting advice for two-cycle and four-cycle engines from 2 to 250 horsepower. Although outboard engines have become more reliable, they're also more sophisticated and require more than a passing knowledge of mechanics to troubleshoot and repair. Outboard Engines covers recent developments such as electronic ignition, oil injection systems, and four-stroke powerheads. Your fears about the reliability of your "finicky" outboard are over!

About the Author

Ed Sherman is a well-known boating writer and educator, and the author of two International Marine books: Outboard Engines (1997) and Powerboater's Guide to Electrical Systems (2000). He is the assistant director of education at the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), the country's preeminent standard-making body, where he designs and teaches teacher-training programs in marine technology fields, including marine electrical systems. Prior to that, he taught marine electronics for many years at the New England Institute of Technology, in Warwick, RI, where he was chairman of the marine technology department. Hometown: Wickford, RI

Product Details

• Hardcover: 132 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070578567
• ISBN-13: 978-0070578562
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #428,660 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #21 in	Books > Nonfiction > Transportation > Ships > Engines & Motors
  #53 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Outdoor Recreation > Sailing > Instructional

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great info for 99% of outboard owners, May 11, 2001

By	"mchook" (North Richland Hills, TX United States) - See all my reviews

I'm not quite sure what the reviewer from Raleigh, N.C. expected from this book. It is clearly not written with the intent of teaching you how to tear down and rebuild outboard motors. The editor's review above clearly says that. But If you are looking for a good common sense all-round outboard motor troubleshooting guide, then this book, combined with the specific shop manual for your motor, some moderately cheap test equipment (which you may have a lot of already) and anyone with a descent mechanical aptitude will probably be able to fix 90% of all the problems they will ever encounter with an outboard motor. The other 10% I personally will leave to the pros. It will also teach you how to avoid a lot of problems in the first place which is the biggest savings when your talking outboards. I am just a hobbyist, not a mechanic and this book has already helped me get two old motors back up and running and has been well worth its price to me. The book is well organized and is easy to understand. The author keeps things simple and down to earth and isn't trying to impress anyone with a bunch of techno-jargon. Sure the text could have been larger, maybe the pictures a little better, but hey what's perfect for everyone?

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outboard Engines: Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Repair, May 2, 2000

By	Carlos G. Leon "Carlos G. Leon" (Dominican Republic) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an excellent source of information. If you are a "first-time boat buyer" and are meticulous about the "health" of your boat, search no more! This is THE guide to use. This book is so filled with useful information that I've summarized parts of the book to create a maintenance guide for my boat. If you're not the type that likes to get your hands dirty, at least this book will give you the information to have an "intelligent" conversation with your mechanic!

36 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The bible of all outboard books!, February 27, 1999

By A Customer

This book says it all in plain english, has probably already saved me $2,000!! Anyone can follow these simple steps and eleminate the 100 dollar an hour service guy!