Introduction
The Peculiarities of Boats

Batteries
How They Work; Electrolyte Variations; Modes of Failure; Automotive (Cranking) Versus Deep-Cycle Batteries; Wet-Cells Versus Gel-Cells; Nicads--The Ultimate Battery

Getting Down to Specifics
Determining Power Requirements; Providing the Necessary Capacity; Providing Adequate Charging Capabilities; Establishing Correct Voltage Regulation

Putting the Pieces Together
Is It Better to Have One or Two Battery Banks for House Use?; Charging More Than One Battery Bank from a Common Alternator; Monitoring and Control

Summary: A Balanced System

Postscript

Batteries
Safety; Routine Maintenance; Testing a Battery; Problem Batteries

Alternators
How They Work; Installation and Maintenance; Charging Problems; Repairing Alternators

Voltage Regulators
How They Work; Different Regulators: Internal, External, P and N; Voltage Regulator Bypass Devices; Troubleshooting Voltage Regulators; Emergency Voltage Regulation

Diodes
Identification and Rating; Heat Sinks; Testing Battery Isolation Diodes

Basic Concepts and Measurements
The Water Analogy; Making Measurements; The Multimeter: An Essential Tool

DC Circuits
Ground Versus Insulated Return; Troubleshooting with a Voltmeter; Troubleshooting with an Ohmmeter; Ground Faults ("Earth" Leaks); Don't Leave Port Without a Multimeter

AC Circuits
The Importance of Grounding; Safety Versus Corrosion; Typical AC Circuits Afloat; Testing AC Circuits

Proper Electrical Installation
Cables; Connections and Terminals; Installing Cables; Distribution Panels

Corrosion
Galvanic Corrosion; Stray-Current Corrosion

Bonding and Cathodic Protection
Cathodic Protection; Unbond and Isolate

Lightning Protection
The Importance of Grounding; The Path to Ground; Protecting Electrical Circuits and Electronics; Lightning Protection

The Common Ground Point

Battery Chargers
How They Work; Ferro-Resonant as a Yardstick; Performance Implies Regulation; Troubleshooting

Inverters
How They Work; Batteries: The Limiting Factor; Matching the Demand to the System; Inverter Installation; Troubleshooting

Wind and Water Generators
How They Work; Pros and Cons; Installation and Maintenance; Troubleshooting and Repair

Solar Panels
Basic Terminology; Key Factors in System Design; Installation; Troubleshooting

AC Generators
Generators: How They Work; General Maintenance; Troubleshooting Operating Problems; No Output: Armature Type; No Output: Alternator Type with Brushes; No Output: Brushless Alternator Type; Disassembly and Bearing Replacement; Variable-Speed Technology (VST)

Electric Motors
How They Work; Speed Regulation; Troubleshooting; Starter Motors

Troubleshooting Electronic Equipment
Preliminary Troubleshooting

Antennas and Grounds
Siting an Antenna; Antenna Installation; Grounds

Radio Interference
Sources of Interference; Tracking Down Interference; Preventing (Suppressing) Interference

Saving Soaked Equipment

Operation and Maintenance
How They Work; Preventive Maintenance

Troubleshooting Part 1: Failure to Start
Failure to Crank; Engine Cranks But Won't Fire

Troubleshooting Part 2: Operating Problems
Overheating; Smoke; Loss of Performance; Water in the Crankcase; Low Oil Pressure; Inadequate Turbocharger Performance; Problems with Engine Instrumentation

Winter Layup
Recommissioning

Transmissions and Shaft Brakes
Transmissions: How They Work; Maintenance; Troubleshooting; Shaft Brakes

Connecting a Transmission to a Propeller Shaft
Couplings; Engine Alignment; Constant-Velocity Joints

Shaft Seals
Stuffing Boxes (Packing Glands); Mechanical Seals; Lip-Type Seals; A Dripless Future?

Bearings and Propellers
Cutless Bearings and Struts; Propellers

CFCs and the Ozone Hole
Marine Refrigeration

Balancing Refrigeration Needs with Boat Use
Iceboxes: The Key to Sizing; Refrigeration Choices

Operation, Troubleshooting, and Repair
How Refrigeration Works; Routine Maintenance

Charging and Topping-Up Procedures
Handling Refrigerant; Gauge Sets

Plumbing
Copper Pipe or Tubing; Metal Pipe; Plastic Pipe; Hoses

Marine Toilets (Heads)
Discharge Regulations; Heading Off Toilet Problems; Troubleshooting and Repair

Through-Hulls and Seacocks
Types of Seacock; Installation

Pumps
How They Work; Pros and Cons; Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Repair

Pump Switches
Pressure Switches; Level Switches

Steering Systems
Types of Steering; Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Autopilots
How They Work; Problems with Autopilots

Wind Vane Self-Steering
How It Works; Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Basic Safety

Gas
Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Compressed Natural Gas; Installation; Troubleshooting Gas Appliances

Alcohol, Kerosene, and Diesel Appliances
Fuel Quality; Troubleshooting; Overhaul; Diesel Drip-Pot Stoves

Electric Water Heaters and Stoves
Water Heater Problems

Spars
Wooden Spars and Spreaders; Aluminum Spars and Spreaders; Downwind, Whisker, and Spinnaker Poles

Standing Rigging
Wire Rope; Fitting End Connections (Terminals) to Wire Rope; Rod Rigging; Fitting Rigging to a Boat; Inspection and Maintenance; Tuning a Rig

Blocks
Terminology and Loading Factors; Maintenance

Winches
How They Work; Servicing and Overhaul; Powered Winches

Anchor Windlasses
General Maintenance; Problems Common to All Windlasses; Horizontal Manual Windlasses; Vertical Manual Windlasses; Electric Windlasses; Hydraulic Windlasses

Roller Reefing and Furling
How It Works; Problems and Answers; Summary: Do's and Don'ts; Maintenance; In-Mast and Behind-the-Mast Reefing

Glossary

Appendix A: Checklist of Winterizing Procedures

Appendix B: Freeing Frozen Parts and Fasteners

Appendix C: Tools and Spare Parts

Appendix D: Useful Tables

Index