http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_99/33cfr183_99.html (USCG mandatory requirements for electrical systems)Copyright © 2006 by International Marine. Click here for terms of use.
The Internet can be an incredibly useful source of information for sailboat restorers, but there are a few downsides. The most important is its volatility and changeable nature. I almost hate to give URLs, because it's certain that many links will be inactive by the time you read this. When you do come across a dead link, search for the Web page title in one of the search engines, since pages are often moved rather than deleted. You'll often find newer and possibly better pages that way as well. Also, take Internet information with a grain of salt. Information published by individuals on the Internet can often be highly opinionated and, in some cases, incorrect.
Here are a few for starters:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_99/33cfr183_99.html (USCG mandatory requirements for electrical systems)
http://www.bluesea.com/abyc.htm (electrical and wiring information)
http://www.boats.com/content/default_detail.jsp?contentid=1326
http://boatbuilding.com/content/rot.html ("Chemotherapy for Rot" by Dave Carnell) http://www.boatbuilding.com/ (more boatbuilding resources)
http://www.boatforsale.org/value/ (Boat For Sale magazine's list of boat prices)
http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/radio.htm#ch (VHF radio tips for boaters)
http://www.boattraderonline.com/newadsearch.html (Boat Trader On-Line classified listings)
http://www.bookfinder.com/ (the source for out-of-print sailing books)
http://www.bucvalu.com/ (BUC boat values online)
http://www.glen-l.com/wood-plywood/bb-chap5.html. (Boatbuilding with Plywood by Glen-L Marine)
http://www.goodoldboat.com/ (Good Old Boat magazine for sailboat owners)
http://home.clara.net/gmatkin/design.htm (boat design resources)
http://isbn.nu (out-of-print book source)
http://www.iSealife.com/ (general cruising site)
http://www.macgregor-boats.com/ (MacGregor boats)
http://www.MacGregorOwners.com/index.htm (MacGregor boats)
http://members.cox.net/sholley1/electric.htm (using a trolling motor as a sailboat auxiliary)
http://www.nadaguides.com/MarineHome.aspx? (click on "Boats" for NADA values)
http://www.nauticaltrader.net/index.html (used and surplus boat parts)
http://www.oldmercs.com/basics.html/ Read "Digging In: Some Tips on Evaluating and Fixing Up and Old Merc"
http://www.paracay.com/ (online nautical bookstore)
http://www.practical-sailor.com (Practical Sailor Magazine online)
http://www.sailboatlistings.com/cgi-bin/saildata/db.cgi (more classified ads)
http://www.sailingtexas.com/ (lots of boats for sale—free ads, inexpensive boats)
http://www.sailrite.com
http://www.simplicityboats.com/index.html (building simple boats)
http://www.woodenboat.com/ (WoodenBoat Magazine's website)
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/index.html.en (YachtWorld.com's classified listings)
This listing isn't meant to be any kind of endorsement of a particular company, nor should it be considered a complete or definitive list. For example, there are many, many more sail lofts besides Sails East, but I mention that particular loft in the text because I've ordered from them and they gave me good service. I've ordered from many, but not all of these suppliers.
Harbor Freight, www.harborfreight.com, (805) 388-2000
Enco Tool, www.use-enco.com, (800) USE-ENCO
Wholesale Tool, www.wttool.com, (800) 521-3420
Northern Tool and Hydraulics, www.northerntool.com, (800) 221-0516
Champion Trailer, www.championtrailers.com, (800) 229-6690
BoatU.S. (Boat Owners Association of the United States), www.BoatUS.com, (800) 395-2628
Defender, www.defenderus.com, (800) 628-8225
Jamestown Distributors, www.jamestowndistributors.com, (800) 423-0030
JSI/SailNet, www.jsisail.com, www.sailnet.com, (800) 234-3220
Raka, Inc. (epoxies and boatbuilding supplies), www.raka.com, (772) 489-4070
Rigging Only, www.riggingonly.com, (504) 992-0434, e-mail: sail@riggingonly.com
SailRite, www.sailrite.com, (800) 348-2769, e-mail: sailrite@sailrite.com
Sails East, www.sailseast.com, (718) 478-0025
West Marine, www.westmarine.com, (800) BOATING
Note: A number of very good books listed below are out-of-print. To buy them, try an internet used book service . . . two that I use are http://www.bookfinder.com and http://isbn.nu.
Butler, Paul, and Myra Butler. Fine Boat Finishes. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1992.
Butler, Paul, and Myra Butler. Upgrading and Repairing your Small Sailboat for Cruising. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1988.
Casey, Don. This Old Boat. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1991.
Maté, Ferenc. The Finely Fitted Yacht. New York: W. W. Norton, 2005.
Maté, Ferenc. From a Bare Hull. New York: W. W. Norton, 1995.
Spurr, Daniel. Spurr's Boatbook: Upgrading the Cruising Sailboat, 2nd ed. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1993.
Hankinson, Ken. Fiberglass Boatbuilding for Amateurs. Bellflower, CA: Glen-L Marine Designs, 1982.
Vaitses, Allan. The Fiberglass Boat Repair Manual. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1988.
Bingham, Fred. Boat Joinery and Cabinetmaking Simplified. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1993.
Naujok, Michael. Boat Interior Construction. New York: Sheridan House, 2002.
Spurr, Dan. Yacht Style: Design and Décor Ideas for Your Boat. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1997.
Carr, Lisa. Practical Boat Canvas Work. Great Falls, VA: Waterline Books, 1995.
Casey, Don. Canvaswork and Sail Repair. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1996.
Grant, Jim. The Complete Canvasworker's Guide. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1992.
Lipe, Karen. The Big Book of Boat Canvas. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1991.
Rosenow, Frank. Canvas and Ropecraft for the Practical Boatowner. New York: Norton & Co, 1987.
Smith, Hervey Garrett. The Arts of the Sailor. New York: Van Nostrand, 1953.
Williams, Jeremy H. Canvas Work. New York: Sheridan House, 1993.
Barre, Harold. Managing 12 Volts, 2nd ed. Redwood City, CA: Summer Breeze Publishing, 2002.
Beyn, Edgar J. The 12 Volt Doctor's Practical Handbook, 5th ed. Annapolis, MD: Spa Creek Instrument Co., 1998.
Calder, Nigel. Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual, 3rd ed. Camden, ME: International Marine, 2005.
Casey, Don. Sailboat Electrics Simplified. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1999.
Myatt, John. Simple Boat Electrics. London: Fernhurst Books, 1998.
Payne, John. The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible, 2nd ed. New York: Sheridan House, 1998.
Wing, Charlie. Boatowner's Illustrated Handbook of Wiring. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1993.
Casey, Don. Inspecting the Aging Sailboat. Camden, ME: International Marine, 2005.
Mustin, Henry. Surveying Fiberglass Sailboats. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1994.
Nicholson, Ian. Surveying Small Craft. London: Coles, 1974.
Practical Boat Buying, Volume 1, 6th ed. Riverside, CT: Englander Communications,2003.
Warren, Nigel. Metal Corrosion in Boats. London: Stanford Maritime, 1980.
Sherman, Ed. Outboard Engines: Troubleshooting, Maintenance, and Repair. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1997.
Marino, Emiliano. The Sailmaker's Apprentice. Camden, ME: International Marine,1994.
Pardey, Lin, and Larry Pardey. The Capable Cruiser. New York: Norton, 1987.
Pardey, Lin, and Larry Pardey. The Cost-Conscious Cruiser. Arcata, CA: Pardey Books, 1998.
Pardey, Lin, and Larry Pardey. Cruising in Seraffyn, rev. ed. Arcata, CA: Pardey Books, 2001.
Pardey, Lin, and Larry Pardey. Seraffyn's European Adventure. Arcata, CA: Pardey Books, 1998.
Toss, Brion. The Complete Rigger's Apprentice. Camden, ME: International Marine,1998.
Landis, Scott. The Workshop Book. Newtown, CT: Taunton Press, 1998.
The Small Workshop: Best of Fine Woodworking Magazine. Newtown, CT: Taunton Press, n.d.
Bingham, Fred. Practical Yacht Joinery. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1993.
Maté, Ferenc. The Finely Fitted Yacht. London: Albatross Publishing, 1994.
Saunders, Mike. Yacht Joinery and Fitting. Camden, ME: International Marine,1981.
Spurr, Dan. Yacht Style. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1997.
Henkel, Steve. Boat Trailers and Tow Vehicles: A Users Guide. Camden, ME: International Marine, 1994.
Witt, Glen L. How to Build Boat Trailers, 2nd ed. Bellflower, CA: Glen-L Marine Designs, 1996.