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Rating: 
Summary: Save your money
Review: At first glance it would appear this book would be a bible for all power boaters. This is not the case. The writer seems content passing his "war stories" off as fact and the only explanation as to why/how certain things happen on a boat. This is the 2nd. Edition and it reads and looks like it was written 20 years ago. Some care could have been taken to make a 1999 publication look like a 1999 publication. Early on in the "Becoming an informed buyer" section there is not one mention of using the internet as an information source. I think Newsgroups (like rec.boats) and other sites should be given at least a mention.In the equipment section he mentions a 200,000 or 300,000 candle power portable searchlight are sufficient for nighttime cruising. PLEASE! Anyone who has seen/used one knows they are complete junk. In 1999 they sell great 1 million candlepower portables for next to nothing. Finally the author calls Dock Line, "Rope". Do I need to say more?
Rating:
Summary: Save your money
Review: At first glance it would appear this book would be a bible for all power boaters. This is not the case. The writer seems content passing his "war stories" off as fact and the only explanation as to why/how certain things happen on a boat. This is the 2nd. Edition and it reads and looks like it was written 20 years ago. Some care could have been taken to make a 1999 publication look like a 1999 publication. Early on in the "Becoming an informed buyer" section there is not one mention of using the internet as an information source. I think Newsgroups (like rec.boats) and other sites should be given at least a mention. In the equipment section he mentions a 200,000 or 300,000 candle power portable searchlight are sufficient for nighttime cruising. PLEASE! Anyone who has seen/used one knows they are complete junk. In 1999 they sell great 1 million candlepower portables for next to nothing. Finally the author calls Dock Line, "Rope". Do I need to say more?
Rating:
Summary: Save your money
Review: At first glance it would appear this book would be a bible for all power boaters. This is not the case. The writer seems content passing his "war stories" off as fact and the only explanation as to why/how certain things happen on a boat. This is the 2nd. Edition and it reads and looks like it was written 20 years ago. Some care could have been taken to make a 1999 publication look like a 1999 publication. Early on in the "Becoming an informed buyer" section there is not one mention of using the internet as an information source. I think Newsgroups (like rec.boats) and other sites should be given at least a mention. In the equipment section he mentions a 200,000 or 300,000 candle power portable searchlight are sufficient for nighttime cruising. PLEASE! Anyone who has seen/used one knows they are complete junk. In 1999 they sell great 1 million candlepower portables for next to nothing. Finally the author calls Dock Line, "Rope". Do I need to say more?
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent overview for owners of trawlers
Review: This easily read book provided great information on a host of topics relevent to a new large powerboat owner. It focused on trawlers and large power boats instead of sail boats. There were great tips and useful techniques on how to buy a large powerboat, outfitting your boat, maintenance, practical accessories, and many aspects of cruising life. There were many useful "tricks" to make daily onboard routines like maintenance and housekeeping more enjoyable. One of the more interesting tips was on "winterizing" your water tanks by adding cheap vodka. While the section on navigational equipment reflects the early 1990's it is still a highly educational and useful section. My wife also found this book fascinating, educational, and enjoyable and has a new more positive perspective about extended periods onboard. I highly recommend it for all new larger powerboat owners.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent overview for owners of trawlers
Review: This easily read book provided great information on a host of topics relevent to a new large powerboat owner. It focused on trawlers and large power boats instead of sail boats. There were great tips and useful techniques on how to buy a large powerboat, outfitting your boat, maintenance, practical accessories, and many aspects of cruising life. There were many useful "tricks" to make daily onboard routines like maintenance and housekeeping more enjoyable. One of the more interesting tips was on "winterizing" your water tanks by adding cheap vodka. While the section on navigational equipment reflects the early 1990's it is still a highly educational and useful section. My wife also found this book fascinating, educational, and enjoyable and has a new more positive perspective about extended periods onboard. I highly recommend it for all new larger powerboat owners.
Rating: 
Summary: power cruising:
Review: This useful basic introduction to the subject was spoiled for me by the lack of intelligent editing. Most importantly, the text becomes highly irritating with the frequent re-iteration of cute phrases such as "first-rate first mate" (for his wife); "very able research assistant" (for two or people who had so served) and "swinging on the hook" (for at anchor). Beyond that, the author's detailed memory for meals eaten aboard serves only to annoy. The addition of this and other, similiarly fluffy material makes one wonder if the intention is to meet a assigned page target. The fault may well lie with the editor, who should have chopped out the redundencies and enough fluff to permit more practical details, particularly regarding "down in the bilge", which tends to get short shrift. In sum, a book for beginners with money to spend which needs editing.
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