Best ship repair & maintenance books according to redditors

1. Determine where you are. This has an impact on requirements for boat registration, insurance, fire extinguishers, what PFDs you carry, possibly a license for the VHF, and possibly some sort of safe boating credential.
   
   
2. Make sure your boat won't sink on you. This means carefully checking all the thru-hulls to make sure they operate smoothly, are in good shape, and keeping them closed when not in use. It also means ensuring the automatic bilge pump is working, and that there's enough power to run it, either in the batteries or from shore.
   
   
3. Make sure your boat won't leave you stranded. Make sure the engine is in good shape and runs smoothly, make sure the steering cables look OK, check all the standing and running rigging, etc. Ideally the boat will have a binder documenting where everything is, when maintenance was performed, and also how old things are (e.g. your standing rigging probably has a service lifetime of 10-12 years).
   
   
4. Clean your boat. Seriously! Power wash it, sand it, paint it, polish it, whichever everything needs. Make it look like new. Not only will you feel better living on it and sailing it, but you'll get familiar with the state of everything and know what will be next up for maintenance or repair. Depending on how things are, set aside time regularly to clean or polish something at random. Ideally it's before things show wear; that's the best way to keep things that way.
   
   
5. Go over the electrical systems very carefully. Better, get a professional. You will want to know how much power you are likely to draw (think instruments, radar, refrigeration, radio, lights, water pumps, etc.) and make sure you have sufficient battery capacity, that the batteries are of the correct type and in good shape, and that the wiring done safely according to the proper standards (and ideally slightly over-spec'd; boats are no place for a fire). Finally, everything should be easy to follow and clearly labelled.
   
   
6. Ditto for the plumbing, etc. You'll need to determine your local pump-out facility, know how to check your holding tanks, etc.
   
   
7. Assuming you have a stove aboard, always switch it off at the solenoid, let the flame go out, and only then turn off the stove (again, fire bad!).
   
   
8. Learn how to use the VHF and what the local channels and rules are. Much is standardized, but some is local.
   
   Resources:
   
   

• Assuming it has a diesel, I'm told this is a very good resource: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071475354
  
• For sailing, you probably want a copy of this: https://www.amazon.com/Annapolis-Book-Seamanship-Fourth/dp/1451650191
  
• Get a copy of the ColRegs and local rules. This covers the rules of the road as well as lighting and other requirements. For example, the USCG publishes the local and international ones side-by-side here: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/index.php?pageName=NavRulesAmalgamated (by treaty, local rules will usually be similar to the international ColRegs).
  
• The RYA has a nice VHF textbook that covers DSC as well; it's mostly correct and the only items that might not apply are the UK-specific radio channels. The USCG radiotelephone handbook is also useful.
  
• Once you've sorted out the basics, the "Sailing Virgins" channel on Youtube isn't that bad; they have some nice (and concise!) videos on various techniques.

Welcome to the life!

I'm still a newbie (I don't know at what point I stop) - I'll hit the one year mark next month.

Peggie Hall has a very useful book on dealing with boat (and head) odors. https://smile.amazon.com/New-Get-Rid-Boat-Odors/dp/1892399784/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=get+rid+of+boat+odors+by+peggie+hall&qid=1568646241&sr=8-1 She's a regular over on https://forums.sailboatowners.com and knows her stuff!

I hear you on the learning curve tho'. I'm at the point now where the sounds no longer send me into a panic. Most of them are kinda routine now. I haven't actually done any fiberglass work yet, still dealing with electrics and stuff. I've got a hatch tarped over until I can replace it.

But I've got no regrets, I'm loving this situation even if it's been scary more than a few times at first.

1. Be very careful of any multi-tool you get - the cheap ones while they claim to be stainless have hinge pins that rust.
   
   that said - look a set of separate tools is very important - if your only tool is a multi-tool - you often need a second one. for example often you need needle-nose pliers AND some other tool
   
   
2. A spike - and a large fixed blade knife, that you can use like a cleaver - with a blade large and strong enough to be hammered
   
   Very good knife: https://www.amazon.com/Myerchin-Knives-Generation-Offshore-System/dp/B01N5C3XVK
   
   Why fixed blade? You'll understand why when the folding knife closes on you at the wrong time.
   
   If you want a folding knife - https://www.amazon.com/Tested-Myerchin-Knives-Rigging-Serrated/dp/B07BDP5KCG
   
   Another: https://www.garrettwade.com/sailors-marlinspike-knife.html
   
   You can argue about the serrated (harder to sharpen) or non-serrated (easy to sharpen)
   
   Myerchin are unbelievably strong no bullshit knives.
   
   
3. This book - https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Riggers-Apprentice-Techniques-Traditional/dp/0070648409
   
   
   

https://www.amazon.com/Sailboat-Electrics-Simplified-Don-Casey/dp/0070366497/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487103072&sr=8-1&keywords=sailboat+electronics+simplified

Pretty much the gold standard.

I would like to add some videos I've found useful in helping me learn how to do Shell Repair.

How to Make small repairs on your racing shells (Vespoli's Glen McDermott)

Racing Shell Hole Repair (Part 1) crankyriggr

Racing Shell Hole Repair (Part 2)

Bill Elliot Filippi 1x 454 start to finish (Shell Repair USA) (Advanced Expert Work)

Pocock Shell Repair video

List of Boat Repair, Painting, and Waxing videos I compiled

If anyone else has some similar videos, I'd love to add them to my list.


Here is a book on Amazon that goes over some of the same stuff

Here.

Easily doable with a 7 year old, and if you can manage to not interfere too much you'll be surprised at how much he's actually capable of doing himself with just a little direction.

In reality it'll take about 4 weekends to build, but that's probably enough to begin with for a 7 y.o.

Also, why not make your own sails.

Where are you located? Location matters.

Recommend you read this book: https://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Living-Aboard-Revised-Updated/dp/0939837668

Oh wow, I have not read that one - I'll have to get a copy.

I've gotten much enjoyment out of reading Royce's Sailing Illustrated, Capable Cruiser by Lin & Larry Pardey [along with everything else by them], and the Annapolis Book of Seamanship, among others.

Most production boats in the 35' - 45' range are sold into charter fleets - I'd guess somewhere between 50% and 80% of new boats in this category.

If those are the kind of boats you're looking at then it's about maximising the number of berths they can cram in, and probably also having a swim platform at the rear.

If you read something like Kretschmer's Flirting with Mermaids or Yacht Design According To
Perry, it seems like 20 years ago¹ people bought cruising sailboats with the dream of crossing oceans on them.

Realistically, most boats sold today are sold into charter or used mostly at weekends; it's that kind of coastal cruising that modern designs are best suited for.

 

¹ I suspect it's really a case that 40 years ago, and even as late as 20 years ago, people still did this, but those books are on my shelves and spring to mind.

https://www.amazon.com/Building-Weekend-Skiff-Richard-Butz/dp/1888671106

It even has a sample schedule (4 days) for community building, and a list of materials you will have to prepare in advance. If you have more time, there's plenty of things the kids can do on the materials list.

I've built a metric fucktonne of the canoe with kids, some as young a 7, and I really don't think you have to worry about it not being interesting. The act of building a boat is enough, so keep it simple and go with plywood.

You'll probably learn more than they do.

Again, I think you are repeating a lot of common myths without much research.

I would suggest that rather than trust internet experts that the OP read the Bob Perry book: https://www.amazon.com/Yacht-Design-According-Perry-Shaped-ebook/dp/B000WJOU00/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1518916736&sr=8-3

He talks a lot about why he designed the bikes in the way he has. He has designed a lot of very well known cruising boats with a variety of keel types.

I live in Florida, but quite a few people migrate yearly and stay in good weather. Right now I haven't moved much with the boat because I have a land based job and spent the last 2 years getting out of debt and am now putting funds into the boat itself(solar panels and things like that).

The boat does need upkeep, but it's pretty minor. Varnishing, bottom cleaning($50 every couple months) and the big expense is every couple years it's around 1k for a bottom paint job. It's paint that keeps sea growth off the boat. Eventually you do need bigger "house type" expenses, a new set of sails would set me back 3-4k(every 8-14 years maybe), I have a 1994 engine that I may need to replace 10 years from now(7k to do that). But those are easy to manage since you can usually plan well ahead for them.

In Florida my slip + electric costs around 520 a month. Other states can be cheaper than that. My slip fee includes free wifi but I have a 3G setup for internet as well($80 a month). That'd handle my internet while cruising as long as I stay coastal.

Satellite internet is way too expensive, so everyone uses long range wifi(like home wifi, only 5 miles of range) and 3G/4G.

You can find out more information here http://www.livingaboard.com/forum/

And this book is pretty good: http://www.amazon.com/The-Essentials-Living-Aboard-Boat/dp/0939837668/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334777701&sr=8-1

If you haven't already grabbed this or this, I can't recommend them enough as excellent resources to address this and many other questions.

If you're interested in books, I bought this[1] one. It's a pretty good starter. I also bought an older used copy of Chapman Piloting for general boat knowledge.

I personally haven't decided for or against doing it (the possibility is still a few years off), but at least it didn't scare me off entirely. I recently bought a house and the amount of maintenance makes me want to go as far as possible away from maintenance (e.g. getting a super solid tiny house, metal roof, etc) which is not a good point for a boat.

As far learning how to sail, there are "accredited" courses which include time on the water. You can also go outside that and probably get training cheaper. Look up local yacht clubs and see what they have (we have one even in landlocked Austin). I haven't gone farther than research yet so that's as much as I can say.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Living-Aboard-Revised-Updated/dp/0939837668/

Useful book

Get a gel cell deep cycle battery, a battery box and an DC/AC inverter. The gell cell won't leak and if it's deep cycle you can run it all the way down and then re-charge it. Secure the battery box near the centerline somewhere and run the cable to the AC inverter. I would make my own removable box to house the battery and inverter, etc and give it a place to clip into and out of.


Use proper connectors and heat shrink wrap to keep corrosion and water from corroding your wires... this will keep fire hazard to a minimum.


If you want to go all out then you can install a solar charger, which would require a charge controller. If you go the permanent install route you should also install at least 1 or 2 breakers.


http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/05.htm
http://www.boatus.com/boattech/howto_lib.htm

or buy this book: http://www.amazon.com/Sailboat-Electrics-Simplified-Don-Casey/dp/0070366497

Check out this one. Don Casey knows his stuff. Sailboat Electrics Simplified https://www.amazon.com/dp/0070366497/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_TURMAbE79GNPE

Start simple. There's a sailing version in the book.

Don't get too bogged down trying to choose a plan. There are literally thousands, they all claim to be the best/ easiest/ cheapest etc. and it's quite possible to spend the rest of your life looking at plans and daydreaming.

Just jump in and do it.

I'm a boatbuilder AMA, if you want.

I've kind of amassed a library. I'm a rank amateur, but here's what I've found helpful in at least orienting myself so far (I'm still working my way through these on a "total readthrough" basis, but I've flipped through and skimmed all of them) in the order that you should probably read them. Also, I've spent the last six months skulking around every sailing forum on the Internet.

I've found the greatest barrier of sailing for someone trying to get into it for the first time is understanding the language, and the second greatest is understanding the mechanical workings of the rig and how it physically interacts with the wind. These books have been super helpful in that respect. I can't speak to how much in the way of practical skill they may have imparted, but I know infinitely more about the subject than I did a few months ago.

• The Complete Sailor, Second Edition (mentioned already)
  
• The Sailing Handbook
  
• Don Casey's Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual
  
• The Sailmaker's Apprentice
  
• The Complete Rigger's Apprentice
  
• The Gaff Rig Handbook
  
• Hand, Reef, and Steer
  
  Those last two are because I despearately want a Gaff rig. If you're not planning on ever dealing with a Gaffer, you don't need them at all. If you only want to buy one of the books on the list, make it The Complete Sailor.
  
  There's also a bunch of online resources, such as about.com's "how to sail a small sailboat" article and ESPECIALLY the boating section of Animated Knots which can teach you a ton of knots.
  
  Hope that helps!

Don't do that to yourself.

If it's a sailboat , get Lars Larssen's "principles of yacht design" https://www.amazon.com/Principles-Yacht-Design-Lars-Larsson/dp/0071826408

Or look for it in a local library.

It has everything, hull, sails, even how to make it so that it fits on a trailer.

In any case, if you will build a boat, you're going to buy a lot of material. Invest in a good book.

I am 6'1" and liveaboard a 45' Gibson houseboat. It's pretty tight but I have about two inches of space above my head. My knowledge of boats is limited but I have been on a few larger vessels that had about 7' ceilings so they do exist.

It's mostly okay but sometimes it can feel a little bit claustrophobic.

Here are some must have books that will help with the mechanical end of things:
http://www.amazon.com/Chapman-Piloting-Seamanship-Edition-Handling/dp/1588169618

http://www.amazon.com/12-Volt-Bible-Boats-Miner-Brotherton/dp/0071392335/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457992044&sr=1-1&keywords=12+volt+bible+for+boats

I charter right now, OCSC is A-B-C docks. I don't know anyone who knows diesels, sorry. But I have worked on motorcycle engines (never cracked the case open, though). Between that, whatever you know, and this, you might be in good shape. I'm willing to give it a go if you are, anyway.

Best of luck!

Nigel Calder's book Marine Diesel Engines, while not giving a thorough treatment of a rebuild, will give you enough information to be able to figure out if it's worth rebuilding or not.

Check out a couple of books by Nigel Calder. I recommend starting with Nigel Calder's Cruising Handbook as it's a pretty good general overview of everything you need to know for cruising, then try Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual as a guide to all of the stuff that you will spend all of your free time fixing and maintaining. I also have Marine Diesel Engines. He does a great job of explaining everything you need to know in an accessible way. He manages to get to some pretty advanced skills without assuming very much previous knowledge.

Can't speak to living aboard personally, or even Seattle specifically, but I'm also researching the feasibility with the SO now. I'm in the middle of this book, The Essentials of Living Aboard a Boat, and find it very enlightening. You may want to check it out if you haven't already.

Link to the book

You may also peruse his blog where he talked about his project.

As a software developer I assume you will need to stay connected while travelling. You might find some of the information on Technomadia's blog helpful. They are app developers that live on a boat part of the year, and an RV the other part. They post a lot of articles about staying connected and working virtually from a boat full time.

A good book I found helpful about liveaboard life is, "The Essentials of Living Aboard a Boat," by Mark Nicholas. He lived aboard for years, so some of the technology he mentions is dated, but he lists the potential problems and rewards that come along with living aboard full time while working a regular, full time job while he lived in Boston.

Another book that might pertain to you and I've seen excerpts from is, "Leap of Faith: Quit Your Job and Live on a Boat," by Ed Robinson. You might download a sample and see if it's helpful. Good luck and take care.

The first boat I built in high school was the weekend skiff . A simple boat which turned out nice and the directions were easy to follow.

I also built some simple open, single person, kayaks with a group of kids for a summer camp that was from two sheets of plywood. I don't have the plans anymore but those were really simple and the basic boat could be made in a week course with teenagers.

+1 for Ian's Secure Shoelace Knot, though I learned to tie it as the Turquoise Turtle via Brion Toss's The Complete Rigger's Apprentice: Tools and Techniques for Modern and Traditional Rigging

Ian provides a how to as well:
Ian's Shoelace Site - Turquoise Turtle Shoelace Knot

I've never had an issue with 550 (or 650) laces coming undone while using this knot. Try it, you'll never double knot again. ;)

Works a treat in Dyneema micro cord (like Samson's Lash It) too…

This was a great resource for my wife and I (boston, 42' trawler): https://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Living-Aboard-Boat/dp/0939837668.

Metal Corrosion in Boats: The Prevention of Metal Corrosion in Hulls, Engines, Rigging and Fittings by Nigel Warren http://www.amazon.com/dp/1574092375/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_3eL1tb0DRXB52

This is one of my favorites in the field. Written by a Corrosion engineer for anyone to use

This is the book they recommend over on sailnet when someone starts asking about blue-water passages.

http://www.amazon.com/Outfitting-Offshore-Cruising-Sailboat-Berman/dp/0939837994/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374782226&sr=1-1&keywords=blue+water+sail+boat

A LOT of the cost in offshore cruisers is in the gear. There's a lot of very sturdy stuff that needs to take a lot of abuse out there, along with a lot of safety/redundancy gear. None of that comes cheap.

How about you start here or another conversion book:
https://www.amazon.com/12-Volt-Bible-Boats-Miner-Brotherton/dp/0071392335/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

I found the seamanship examiner very useful. Especially after studying a large amount of dry material this is useful to review with a friend over a beer.
It is full of good questions from Oow to master and extra ROR questions. Makes it easy to fire questions at each other as if it were an oral. Once you start vocalizing the information it becomes easier in the exam.

http://www.amazon.ca/The-Seamanship-Examiner-David-House/dp/075066701X

Try this

book

I highly recommend Devlins boatbuilding easy to read and understand with loads of really good info that will help you realise your plans. http://www.amazon.com/Devlins-Boatbuilding-Build-Stitch---Glue/dp/0071579907/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462641662&sr=8-1&keywords=Devlin+boatbuilding

Get a copy of this:

http://www.amazon.com/Marine-Diesel-Engines-Maintenance-Troubleshooting/dp/0071475354/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415398133&sr=1-1&keywords=marine+diesel+engines

My own boat is gasoline-powered, but I do enough reading about powerboats in general to be aware that this book is the Bible where caring for marine diesel engines is concerned. The author is the technical editor at PassageMaker magazine.

West Marine carries it, but you could get it cheaper by ordering a used copy from Amazon.

EDIT: You're welcome. Appreciate the upvote. /sarcasm

Bob Perry is one of the top designers. Here's a book of his: http://www.amazon.com/Yacht-Design-According-Perry-Shaped/dp/007146557X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374854434&sr=1-1&keywords=robert+perry+boat

Website: http://www.perryboat.com/

He's also active on Sailing Anarchy (this site is not for the thin-skinned -- check out the Cruising Anarchy forum)- http://forums.sailinganarchy.com

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showuser=2980

Read http://www.amazon.com/12-Volt-Bible-Boats-Miner-Brotherton/dp/0071392335 and avoid the learning curve of blown fuses and burnt boats. 12 vdc is easy but dangerous enough to RTFM.