Boating Books

this is a really good book for the boatbuilder and carpente

Phil Bolger is a favourite of mine. His writing is clear and direct, and this collection of 100 assorted rigs is no exception.

His knowledge of these rigs comes in the main from direct experience, and this adds greatly to the value of the book.

The illustrations have just enough detail to make plain the unique nature of a given rig, and there is much for newcomer and experienced sailor alike.

So why only 9 out of 10?

For me this book is fine, but it does not quite achieve the seductive power of his boat design books.

Well worth adding to your library.

The 12 Volt Doctor's Project Book goes beyond basic equipment. It covers projects you might find nice to have, but are not available for purchase. All of the projects are intended for use with 12-volt systems, or are somehow related to 12 volt battery systems and direct current.

Previous experience with electrical and mechanical work is suggested. This book offers you a variety of building projects with just circuits, components and brief descriptions of how they work. Some of the projects in this book include:

* Adding a third battery bank without another main switch
* Making an ammmeter for high current
* High and low voltage indicator lights
* Various alarm systems for
- Bilge water
- Water in diesel fuel
- Engine
- Dingy
* Various switches - totally hidden and security
* Wind speed indicators
* Motion sensors
-- from book's back cover

When I was 13 years old this book was given to me. It intrigued me as I read the back cover. I read the book and was astonished by John Dowd's amazing writing. He took me into the book and kept me there. I couldn't put the book down. The book starts out in Canada where a young boy named Jim is trapped in a neighborhood he hates. His father passed away in a car wreck so he lives with his mother now. Jim has toughened up since the wreck. A wealthy fisherman calls on Jim's mother and in the midst of things the man offers Jim a job on a fishing boat called The Kingfisher. Jim is offered $... dollars a month he is on the boat. From there he has many adventures in the Queen Charlet Islands on the tip of the Canadian coast. If you have an interest in boats or just love good writing you will defiantly enjoy this book, I did at the age of 13.

First published under the title THE RYA BOOK OF OUTBOARD MOTORS and directed to boat owners, the reissue of a classic offers the same jargon-free language and visuals to demonstrate to non-mechanics how an outboard motor works and how to maintain it. From basic lubrication and control systems to propellers and beyond, instructions offer details right down to comparing boat-specific parts with more familiar mechanical parts to help novices adjust. A fine book which should be on any boat!

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I just got ABYC instructor Ed Sherman's new book on Advanced Marine Electronics "Advanced Marine Electrics and Electronics Troubleshooting", it's a Marine Electricians guide to new techniques (Like TDR), new tools and methods for the Marine Electrician. It's an adjunct to the powerboaters guide.

BTW: TDR Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) is based in conductor reflection timing (on a return pulse) which used in testing wiring and optical fiber.

Minor Wants: More. I'd have liked a deeper Oscilloscope section and more engine electronics (J1939) stuff and NMEA2000. Pictures are profuse and clear. I started reading the ASE Advanced Performance series in conjunction with this book and would have liked more of the engine electronics integration knowledge brought here. (Picoscope type stuff). Would also like selection criteria for quality electronics (e.g. explain NITS or candela and contrast levels for visibility, a better explanation on pulse width modulation and motor control where the terms are used in the text. Explaining the NMEA 2000 technical architecture deeper would be nice. The author states that it is an additional book for the ABYC electrician and electronics installer, but some basics on electronics would help. 200 pages is too short, but it's a great book.

BTW: Pulse Width modulation (PWM) is a means of controlling a (DC) motor's speed by providing longer or shorter pulses (from a onboard systems microprocessor). More "On" time means faster speed. (Think flicking a fan switch on and off.)

This book is a must get, yet I am only left wanting more. A 2nd edition would be have to get. I loved the ground loop explanation and the need for isolation on network systems on boats.

One of the best parts is the stuff the electronics tech can build.

BTW: When electronics have more than one point of grounding, EMI (electronic noise is propagated through the system. Problems can occur with networks like cheap ethernet (which is why opto isolation is recommended) on boats where ground loop noise is severe. A ground loop is a bad thing, in your network and in your home stereo (causes a hum).

Like any book under a million pages on the subject, there is a lot more you want. His advice focuses on hand held Microprocessor test tools. This is excellent guidance for average marine electronics tech, although I am not likely to give up my old Tek 11801C TDR or my SD-24 sampling head for the stuff I do.

The old technique, new technique section locked in the 5 star rating for me.

Recommended Read and own

I have just purchased an updated copy after using my old one to guide me on a boating trip from Vashon to Olympia and back with a number of detours up the many inlets of South Puget Sound. What I like about this series is that the Muellers have created hand drawn "maps" of most of the harbors, parks, inlets and attractions. They don't have the clutter of charts and aren't meant to be navigational aids, but they give you fast, no nonsense tips to approaches, mooring buoys, guest moorage, facilities, sights and activities. Since the books concentrate on a specific area of the Sound they tend to have more in depth descriptions than some others. I have used them in both the car and the boat The books are small, flexible and logically organized. A great guide for anyone exploring the Puget Sound region.

Guess what! I already read this new book and it is very interesting with all the bright colors of Captain Feathersword and the Wiggles who set sail with him.

I really love the Captain's greeting line which is, AHOY THERE, ME HEARTIES!

malonu matyti siuse puslapiuse lietuviskas pavarde

This was my first introduction to the "all aboard reading" series. It is terrific. This book is about a little mouse that decides he wants to be a sailor. He dresses the part, then takes a broom and sheet and makes himself a boat. Twin skunks come up and quiz him about the terrors of the sea: waves, sharks, pirates. To each he imagines them and replies, no, I'm not afraid. The skunks are amazed at his bravery. Then he decides he needs one more thing--his mommy. With his mommy around, he will be even braver.

The story isn't the only great thing about this book. The book is written in simple sentences that use pictures for some words. Even the younger readers can help read this book. If they don't know what some of the pictures are, it is a great vocabulary builder. At the back of the book, the picture words are put on flashcards. Kids can practice actually reading the words or getting used to seeing how the pictures look in letters. I love this book and think it is a must in beginning readers' libraries.