This Old Boat

Rating:
Summary: Great Attitude, Great Information
Review: I wanted to give this a 5 star rating, but it's not one of my few bibles I always refer to. It definitely is a 4-1/2 star in my opinion. This is a well written detailed book that goes through virtually everything in buying, refitting and maintaning a used boat. The aspect I like best is the encouraging style that yes you can do it. In each section he recommends starting off with this or that simple project to build up confidence and expierence before starting on the really hard projects. Like paint the inside of lockers before painting the exterior hull. Casey also makes good recommendations on materials, procedures, preparation, execution etc. All geared to the none-pro. ME. Well written, informative, easy to understand, written to the regular guy. OK I guess I give this 4-3/4 star. Buy it. Would I buy again. Definitely.

Rating:
Summary: A great technical book with a crusing style
Review: This book is very well written. It gives general approaches to tackling all manner of sailboat restoration, repair and maintenance. It gives a very real sense of the human / old boat interactions. Don Casey tells you what to look out for without trying to be a comprehesive step by step guide. He makes you think, and guides you as to what to think about and why. His denial that your mast could be bent sideways indicates Mr. Caseys understanding of the quiet dockside terror which can be part of such a discovery. (If your mast is bent from side to side, you probably need a new one).

Rating:
Summary: Understandable explanations, quality on a budget
Review: This is my #1 reference book for maintaining and restoring (is there a difference?) my boat. Mr. Casey gives easy to understand and easy to follow instructions on how to perform basic repair and upgrade tasks. The projects described, for the most part, tell how to do things inexpensively but still obtain a high-quality result. Everything from how to re-bed a stanchion (and what kind of caulk to use) to building your own sails.