Rating: 
Summary: Great basic guide, some good tech info
Review: This is a great basic guide to the systems on your boat. It gets a bit technical in some areas, but tries to cover a little too much ground to be overly technical. I think that every boat owner should have a copy of this aboard, even if they never plan on doing any sort of work on their own electrical systems themselves, there is a lot of info here.
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Summary: RV Repair Guide too.
Review: This is a very good book. Too many books only explain what is wrong and then instruct to perform a service without explaining specifically how. This book shows how with lots of illustrative photos and test data and detailed instructions for using test equipment. Practically everything in this book also applies to maintaining RV vehicles and trailers as well. I use it for my boat and RV.
Rating: 
Summary: Irrelevant book
Review: This is not a book for boatowners, unless you own a megayacht, or a tugboat.Calder seems not to realize most boats are powered by gas engines. He doesn't mention them at all in his book. There's a long, detailed chapter on diesel engines. But NOTHING on gas engines! He also doesn't cover sterndrives. He does deal with inboards extensively. But, again, many, many boats are propelled by sterndrives. Other than a small photo, he ignores them. How a book on mechanical systems can ignore mechanical systems is a small oversight, I guess. Winterizing? Forget it. With no mention of gas engines, he can't begin to touch on proper winterizing. I sent my book back. It's a waste of money for most boat owners.
Rating: 
Summary: A must. Ready to sail off? Read this, before
Review: Too complex for non serious sailors. That's what's waiting for you out there. Think it twice, or practise everything in advance. Very useful to clear your mind, makes you get prepared. A bit outdated.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Have for Boaters
Review: When electrical or mechanical systems go wrong on a boat afloat, you have a crisis. An uneducated repair can be costly. This book needs to be handy. The book devotes 113 pages to aspects of the electrical system, then addresses auxiliary sources of power, electric generators and motors, marine electronics, diesel engines, transmissions, refrigeration and air conditioning, toilet systems, pumps, steering systems, stoves, heaters, lights, rigging, deck rigging and hardware. Its a gold mine. Its guidance in the toilet repair and generator troubleshooting has been a great help to us.
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