Contents
Welcome to boat improvement
Setting up
Safety and tools
Types of tools
A working toolkit
Setting up a portable workshop
Hull and deck
Woodworking skills
Cockpit grating
Nameplate
Dorade vents
Passarelle
Cockpit table
Grab rails
Faced-ply cabin sides
Faux decks – floor
Faux decks – fore and sidedecks
Replacing aluminium fittings
Pulpit and pushpit
Gantries and goalposts
Roll reducer
Lightweight tiller
Bathing platform
Davits
Canvas and upholstery
Care and repair
Cockpit cushions
Bimini
Low profile windscoop
Hatch covers
Dodgers
Lee cloths
Domestic
The ideal galley
Gimballing the stove
Galley straps
Deck handholds and footholds
Fiddle rails
Simple veneers
Charcoal heater
Hot air diesel heating
Diesel cooker
Fridge and cool box
Air conditioning
LED interior lighting
iPod
Domestic tips
General mechanics
Mechanical skills
Manual water pumps
Pressurised water
Hot water
Shower
Electrically operated heads
Bilge pump and alarms
Engine-driven bilge pump
Watermaker
Ventilation
Gas alarm
Generator
Fuel capacity
Tank level gauge
Windlass
Chain counter
Wheel steering
Bow thruster
Stern thruster
Trim tabs
General mechanics tips
Electrical
Electrical skills
Radar
Navtex/AIS
Inboard autopilot
LED navigation lights
Underwater lights
Lightning protection
Battery-charging inputs
Battery capacity
Shore power
Inverters
Electrical and systems tips
Mast, rigging and sails
Rigging and sail-mending skills
Lazy jacks
Headsail furling
Additional forestay
Backstay adjuster
Jackstays
Deck gear
Leading halyards aft
Sheeting points
Single-line reefing
Cruising chute
Spinnaker
Mast steps
Pop-riveting
Windvane self-steering
Tiller pilot
Electric winches
Sails and rigging tips
Eco upgrades
Solar energy
Wind power
Go electric
Fuel cells
Better insulation
Holding tank
‘Greener’ antifouling
Glossary
Acknowledgements