Book Recommendations

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richardm47

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Just bought my first boat after years of sailing 'someone elses' boat. She's 35 foot and 30 years. So I feel I need some reference books.

First I'm looking for a bible on maintenance, so I won't miss anything vital, doing most of it myself. Secondly a book dedicated to looking after diesel engines and gearboxes. And thirdly something basic on electrics (12v and shorepower) that will help me plan a big update and re-wire next year.

Can you suggest the classic / not to be missed / up-to-date titles please?
 
Got to agree with davel. Nigel Calder is one of those rare people who knows his subject very well and can explain it well. The 12volt bible is a well known book.
 
The Complete Anchoring Handbook

A modern, authoritative anchoring guide for sailors and powerboaters
A boat swinging safely at anchor can mark the relaxing conclusion to a great day of boating or the successful completion of an essential emergency measure, while failure to anchor properly can be frustrating, inconvenient, or downright dangerous. The Complete Anchoring Handbook is your path to mastering this indispensable seamanship skill.
Based on original engineering analysis--and with contributions from such international anchoring experts as Alain Fraysse and Chuck Hawley--The Complete Anchoring Handbook emphasizes the proven best gear and methods for anchoring safely in any situation with any boat, sail or power. Here’s everything you need to know, from the basics to the most advanced techniques. Poiraud and company describe:

The physical forces acting on a boat, its ground tackle, and the sea bottom
Why the new generation of roll-stable anchors (including the Spade, Rocna, Manson Supreme, and others) is proving superior to traditional favorites
How to select and size anchors and ground-tackle components
How to connect those components without introducing weak points in your ground-tackle system

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Anchoring-Handbook-Alain-Poiraud/dp/0071475087
 
On the point of diesel engines, if you just want to know enough to work out why it won't start and fix some simple problems to get it going, the RYA Book of Diesel Engines is a good one.

On the other hand, I agree with the previous comment that if you want to do major work, or even service the engine, the maker's workshop manual will be better.
 
Nigel Calder is definitely a must have but I'd also recommend "This old boat" by Don Casey as it takes you through all the renewal issues that you likely to have to deal with on a boat of that age.....
 
Well the engine is 30 years old too. Volvo MD21, 2200 hours. Said to be same as in old Paris taxis, and Peugeot spares are cheaper than Volvo ones.

One thing with my boat is language: she has been on the continent for 30 years, and everything is in German. Instruction books, labels on switches, almost everything. I'm thinking of learning how to shout at my crew in German. But my surveyor was very helpful - she sent me the engine manuals in English on a disc with her survey report.

So have got the engine specifics covered but the RYA diesel book looks like a good addition.
 
Thanks DaveL - you were first off the mark with Nigel Calders book, and lots of support followed. That's now on its way from Amazon. Maybe I'll pass on the 12v Bible, it seems to cover the same ground as Calder? Also its American not UK. And one reviewer on Amazon suggests its a bit simple. Will see what Calders does first. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.

(BTW I like the regular Sketchbook feature in PBO and have got sets 1-5 of those coming to me.)

OK I'm getting the Calder book on mechanicals and electrics but ...

I'm still looking for a good how-to book on basic general maintenance ? Such as masts, rigging, polishing GRP, filling scratches, seacocks, anodes, toolkits, winterising, pumps, sails etc etc.
 
"I'm still looking for a good how-to book on basic general maintenance ? Such as masts, rigging, polishing GRP, filling scratches, seacocks, anodes, toolkits, winterising, pumps, sails etc etc. "

Have you tried your local library - the Central Library here has a good selection of maintenance books, including Calders, which I reckon is a must-have.

There is also the quirky but useful "The 12v Doctor's Practical Handbook" available as free pdf download
 
Agree with Spike. 'This Old Boat' by Don Casey is a must . For that matter so are all his other books - especially the one on boat electrics.
 
I constantly refer to 'Cruising under sail' by Eric Hiscock this is not at all up to date having been written in the 30's but contains much sound advice from an era when skippers had paid crews, wore blazers and cravats and smoked pipes. I thoroughly recommend it but not as a technical resource for a modern GRP boat.
 
Thanks everyone for all your suggestions, very useful.

I've found that "This Old Boat" by Don Casey has a very recent 2nd edition. Am trying to track that down.

I read all Hiscocks books years and years ago, I think my father still has them. Yes that's a good point, they'd be well worth re-reading.
 
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