Boat Mechanical Systems Handbook (PB)

As the owner of a thirty year-old sailboat with aging systems I only wish Mr. Gerr would have written this book a few years earlier. It would have certainly saved me much time and expense in addition to the aggravation of having to re-do work previously performed by so-called professional boatyards (ever screw a ball valve onto a thru-hull fitting with incompatable threads, instead of installing a true seacock? Yup, that's been done). The author explains the best practices for the design and installation of most systems on boats. Of particular interest is his explanations of how to size system components and connections. For example: what size and how many bilge pumps do you need for your vessel? In my case, a lot more than I thought as most pump manufacturer's performance data is not reflective of real world conditions. Mr. Gerr also provides numerous formulas with which to calculate the proper size of various components from bilge pumps to fuel filters, hoses, heaters, anchors, etc. I am a testament that you don't need to be a math whiz to understand how to use these formula. As a fellow boat owner, even if you do not perform your own maintenance this book will prove invaluable in providing you essential information so you will understand and recognize proper installations performed by others. The piece of mind that comes from the knowledge that your vessel is sound is priceless. Mr. Gerr's Propeller Handbook is also written in the same easy to understand style and is most useful for those considering re-powering their boat or trying to solve performance problems. Nigel Calder's Boat Owners Mechanical and Electrical Manual is also essential reading for the boat owner.

I admit I am a Dave Gerr fan. I also own his other books (The Propeller Handbook, The Nature of Boats, and the Elements of Boat Strength). I find his work to be very comprehensive and very accessible. I am relatively new to working in marine design and have picked up Dave's books to fill in some of the gaps in my knowledge. I have not been disappointed. This book would also be a good resource for boat owners and boat builders. I haven't poured over all the chapters, but my first impression is that The Boat Mechanical Systems Handbook does an excellent job of covering all the typical mechanical systems you'd find on a boat, including detailed drawings and rules/calculations for sizing boat parts. As the book covers boats, you won't find many details that are also applicable to larger commercial vessels (ships) but the principles are often the same anyways. A great value.

If you are doing a new buildout, restoration or planning to do either this book MUST join those by Nigel Calder ( Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual: How to Maintain, Repair, and Improve Your Boat's Essential Systems ) and other great authors, on your reference shelf. The details provided for various systems include historical examples, numerous sketches, photos and engineering formulas and careful attention to international standards and measurments. The boating world is a better place because of this book. I have a nautical library with over 700 volumes and this book will go go immediately to "most treasured" status!

Well written and helpful for what I needed.

As always, Dave Gerr has given the most comprehensive collection of information regarding ship's systems that can be found in a book. Every prospective builder or new owner should read this book. After studying many books and writings on boat building as well as boat owners selection guides and all kinds of of literature with the aim to enlighten the new comer, I have found that gaps exist in the complete picture of understanding boats. I have studied two of Dave Gerr's books now and found that he is really the gap filler. The information is down to earth understandable and very complete. This book should be found on every vessel's book shelve.

Absolutely amazing hanbook. I think Dave Geer can read in my mind and writte directly about 99% of my designing troubles, problems ang give me recipes. Very clear written, 110% usefull. I live not in USA, not in England or other country with english language. For me very important is easy language. This book has easy for foreigners language and very good ilustration. This is my third book of Dave Gerr. Ones again the best choice If I can, I give six star for this book

Dave's books are always down to earth and practical, and this is the best of all his books. Most boat design books give lofty and impractical theories whereas Dave has drill down to tried and true solutions. Better still he explains why we need to follow the principles and every now and then gives a back story that illuminates the topic even more. As an amatuer boat builder this book is dog eared through use. It is beside me in the studio and then used as a practical check in the workshop. I buy all of Dave's books but this is the standout. Well Done.

Like Dave Gerr's other books, which I have and like, this one is fairly comprehensive but only in the area covered. The problem with it is that it is limited to large powerboats and if your interest is in smaller or trailer sized powerboats, there is not enough meat here to warrant buying it. Much of the information that is suitable for smaller boats is also in his or other books.

Excellent details for the current state of 'how to' for boat systems. Which makes it an excellent reference to measure your own boat against and plan the most critical improvements.

conteúdo satisfatório, porém em alguns assuntos achei que faltava algumas informações . as folhas poderiam ser de melhor qualidade , em vista do preço e da qualidade da capa .

Me parece un buen libro para conocer vocabulario técnico en inglés de las instalaciones en los barcos. Instalaciones y mecanismos

Paper quality could have been better

O livro veio com várias páginas coladas.