CONTENTS

FIGURES vii

PREFACE ix

1: CRUISING BOAT BASICS

Finding a Boat 1
Surveying Used Boats 3
Building Your Dream 9
US Coast Guard Documentation 12
The Comfort Factor 15
Ventilation of Living Quarters 17
Auxiliary Engines 20
Refrigeration, With or Without It? 22
DC Electrical Systems 25
Cabin Lighting 28
Electrical Grounding 30
Sails 31 Climbing Masts 35
Dinghies 41
Selecting An Inflatable 43

2: CRUISING PREPARATIONS

Getting Organized 45
Ham Radio, Should You Get Licensed? 48
Ship's Medicine Chest 51
Money Considerations 55
Food Provisioning Basics 57
Refrigeration Alternatives 63
Supplies In Tropical America 75
Foods For Under Way 79
Cooking Fuel Alternatives 82
Clothing For Under Way 84
Items For Trade and Good Will 87
Cameras & Photographs 88
Alternative Energy Products 91

3: LIVING ABOARD

Fresh Water Supplies 94
Catching Rain 97
Water Storage 100
Water Treatment 101
Desalinators and Solar Stills 102
Cooking Aboard 106
Dry Storage Containers 109
Mildew Control 111
Bugs 114
Getting Along In Foreign Ports 121
Dos & Don'ts 127

4: EASIER MAINTENANCE

The Maintenance Free Yacht 130
Replacement Parts 132
Auxiliary Engine Maintenance 134
Electrical Problems 140
Metal Corrosion 145
Radio Care 146
Wood Work 147
Storing Paints And Solvents 151
Bottom Maintenance 153
Topside Maintenance 158
Deck Maintenance 161
Sail Care 167
Wire Rigging 169
Anchor Line Chafe 170
Avoiding Dry Rot 174
Better Calking and Sealing 176
A Drier Bilge 180
Reducing Plumbing Problems 183
Working With Resins and Fibers 185
Fewer Cotter Pin Injuries 189

5: NAVIGATION & HANDLING

Nautical Charts 190
Obsolete Charts 195
An Alternative To High Priced Charts 195
Computerized Charts 197
Guide Books 199
Hurricane Preparation 202
Weather Radio Broadcasts 206
Weather Fax 211
Maritime Mobile Ham Nets 212
Other Short Wave Radio Broadcasts 214
Radio Direction Finders 218
Auto Pilots 222
Speedometers 225
Depth Sounders 226
Anchoring 228
Making and Following Lists 232
Single Handing 234
Final Note 237

INDEX 239

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