The First Ever Guide for Optimizing Boat Systems This guide is invaluable for anyone designing or installing mechanical systems on a new boat, retrofitting an existing boat, or evaluating a boat's operating condition. Writing for designers, builders, owners, buyers, mechanics, surveyors, and insurers of sailboats, powerboats, and commercial vessels, Dave Gerr provides design and installation guidance for each major mechanical system plus pragmatic guidelines and real-world interpretations of American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) and European standards. No marine professional or serious boater should be without Boat Mechanical Systems Handbook. "Dave Gerr has a knack for breaking down the more esoteric concepts of naval architecture into language that’s easily understood by the layman, which is one of the reasons why his writing often appears in the pages of SAIL. Another reason is his deep practical knowledge of the intricacies and subtleties of boat construction and systems, and the way they relate to each other. The subhead of Boat Mechanical Systems Handbook says it all--'how to design, install and recognize proper systems in boats.' Light reading this isn’t, but if you’re about to refit your boat or upgrade outdated systems, perhaps with some serious voyaging in mind, this book is a worthwhile investment. This is a unisex book, for both powerboaters and sailors; there’s no mention of sailing rigs, but every other conceivable system is covered more or less exhaustively." --PETER NIELSEN, SAIL, November 2009 Praise for Dave Gerr's previous books: The Elements of Boat Strength: “Certain books, because of their thoroughness, tend to become industry standards; such is the case with The Elements of Boat Strength.” --Ocean Navigator Propeller Handbook: “The best layman's guide we've ever read.” --Practical Sailor “Gerr made a complicated topic understandable and put it into a handbook that is easy to use.” --WoodenBoat The Nature of Boats: “Offers, in a disarmingly charming fashion, a look at all aspects of what makes a boat work. If you are not nautically obsessed prior to reading this book, you most certainly will be afterward.” --Sailing

This manual takes both novice and experienced boatowner through minor to major repairs of electrical systems, engines, electronics, steering systems, generators, pumps, cookers, spars and rigging. When it was first published in 1990, the Boatowner's Mechanical & Electrical Manual broke new ground. It was hailed as the first truly DIY manual for boatowners and has sold in its thousands ever since. There have been significant changes in boat systems since then, particularly electrical systems, and this fourth edition has been fully updated to reflect these developments and expand its predecessor's worldwide popularity. 'Probably the best technical reference and troubleshooting book in the world' Yachting Monthly 'It deserves to come standard with every boat' Yachting World

"This work is significant. It is the first to include a method of assessing structural strength in the context of the modern marine environment." --Commander M. C. Cruder, U.S. Coast Guard Acclaimed author and naval architect Dave Gerr created this unique system of easy-to-use scantling rules and rules-of-thumb for calculating the necessary dimensions, or scantlings, of hulls, decks, and other boat parts, whether built of fiberglass, wood, wood-epoxy composite, steel, or aluminum. In addition to the rules themselves, The Elements of Boat Strength offers their context: an in-depth, plain-English discussion of boatbuilding materials, methods, and practices that will guide you through all aspects of boat construction. Now you can avoid wading through dense technical engineering manuals or tackling advanced mathematics. The Elements of Boat Strength has all the formulas, tables, illustrations, and charts you need to judge how heavy each piece of your boat should be in order to last and be safe. With this book, an inexpensive scientific calculator, and a pad of paper, you'll be able to design and specify all the components necessary to build a sound, long-lasting, rugged vessel. What reviewers have said about Dave Gerr's books: Propeller Handbook "By far the best book available on the subject."--Sailing "The best layman's guide we've ever read."--Practical Sailor Dave Gerr and International Marine made a complicated topic understandable and put it into a handbook that is easy to use."--WoodenBoat "Without doubt the definitive reference for selecting, installing, and understanding boat propellers."--Royal Navy Sailing Association Journal The Nature of Boats "If you are not nautically obsessed before reading this book, you will most certainly be afterward."--Sailing Fascinating potpourri of information about today's boats, modern and traditional."--WoodenBoat

Provides instructions for wiring marine electronics and dozens of weekend projects, such as installing cabin and navigation lights, burglar alarms, battery charge indicators, bilge alarms, and more. This is a user-friendly manual for on-board electrical projects, from fixing loose connections to rewiring your boat.

Keep your boat's electrical systems running and reliable “Boatowner’s Illustrated Electrical Handbook is perfect for learning how your boat’s electrical system and much of its equipment works, and it will be an invaluable guide when adding equipment as well. This book needs to be in every boater’s library as a ready reference on how to make effective repairs and modifications that comply with ABYC standards.”—Ed Sherman, Senior Instructor and Curriculum Designer, American Boat and Yacht Council “A definitive technical book that is easy to read. Buy this book and throw out the rest.”—Motorboat & Yachting Whether you take to the sea under power or sail, bounce around the bay in your runabout, or cross oceans in your cruiser, you’ll find everything you need to maintain, repair, and upgrade your boat’s DC and AC electrical systems with this comprehensive and fully illustrated guide. Tackle onboard electrical projects and learn how to: Meet ABYC standards for both DC and AC wiring Install solar- and wind-power systems Add electrical components Prevent corrosion of your electrical system . . . and more