Select Page

          “This well-presented volume is a guide to making the best use of boatyard time and facilities by careful planning and good organisation…his examples and explanations helped reduce the fear factor and should improve my conversations with professionals or even my ability to have a go.” – Yachting Monthly

The Boatyard Book is a fully illustrated 224 page practical reference manual that provides advice for boat owners on planning and carrying out annual maintenance, repairs, upgrades and refits of sailing yachts and motorboats, up to 20 metres in length.

What does caring for a boat involve?

Boat care requires understanding the importance of knowing how and when to carry out boat inspections in order to troubleshoot problems before they develop into major issues.

Boat care also entails understanding when and how to carry out essential annual maintenance tasks. If major repairs and refits become necessary, a knowledgeable boat owner with greater understanding of what needs to be done will be in a better position to remain in control of the process and be confident when dealing with boatyard managers, professionals and suppliers of services and parts. All these aspects of boat care are dealt with in The Boatyard Book.

What is covered in the book?

Beginning with all the information owners will need to care for their boat, including how to budget and plan tasks to be done through the year, The Boatyard Book goes on to help them choose the best boatyard for their needs, then provides essential how-to reference material and ideas for a comprehensive range of projects large and small to be carried out ashore.

There’s advice and tips from boatyard owners and managers, specialists and surveyors, as well as from the author’s own 25 years experience of boat ownership, all fully illustrated with step-by-step photos and illustrations.

Topics covered in the book include:

  • laying up
  • hull and deck care
  • mast and rigging
  • sail care
  • engines
  • electrics
  • maintenance of plumbing and gas systems
  • more complex projects, including re-wiring a boat, overhauling an engine, how to treat osmosis and how to go about a complete refit

Expert tips and advice

The inclusion of advice and tips from experts provides very valuable information for owners, whether they are hands-on DIY fanatics or are happy to pay others to do the work for them. The advice given will help owners to save money when any work needs to be done. This will apply to those who keep their yachts abroad as well as closer to home.

The Boatyard Book includes case studies of real life experiences, not just step-by-step instructions on “how to” but clearly demonstrating pitfalls, difficulties encountered along the way and how problems were solved and the work finally completed. This will help owners to manage their expectations, to expect certain types of work to be more difficult and take longer than they anticipate and help them decide whether they are able to undertake the work themselves or better advised to call in the professionals.

This is a book to be kept at the yard, or on the boat, and used time and time again by those who are either happy to keep things ticking along with the minimum of effort or by those who want to get stuck into bigger projects.

            “This well-presented volume is a guide to making the best use of boatyard time and facilities by careful planning and good organisation…his examples and explanations helped reduce the fear factor and should improve my conversations with professionals or even my ability to have a go.” – Yachting Monthly

A lifelong sailing enthusiast, Simon Jollands has filmed many major sailing events as well as producing and directing several sea safety films for the RNLI. He is the co-founder of Safe Skipper Apps and is author of The Boatyard Book, Safe Skipper and Reeds Lights, Shapes and Buoyage Handbook, all published by Adlard Coles.

See more and buy the book here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/boatyard-book-9781472977106/

or

The Boatyard Book: A boatowner’s guide to yacht maintenance, repair and refitting: Amazon.co.uk: Simon Jollands: 9781472977106: Books

Product details

Published 02 Sep 2021
Format Flexiback
Edition 1st
Extent 224
ISBN 9781472977106
Imprint Adlard Coles
Illustrations Colour photography and diagrams throughout
Dimensions 246 x 189 mm
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

 

Care of boat batteries

Boat batteries need to be kept properly charged, which means never allowing the batteries to discharge below 50 per cent of their total charge. As well as the batteries themselves, keeping a boat’s charging systems in good shape will also help to keep batteries topped up to a higher level of charge.

Rewiring a boat – overcoming the challenges involved

Skippers need to have a basic knowledge of boat electrics, to avoid potential problems and to be able to solve them when they happen.

Diesel engine winterisation

An inactive boat engine needs to be protected from corrosion during the winter, caused by the rising humidity levels through the cold months and the salty coastal air. This applies whether the boat is left afloat or hauled out over the winter. Read here about the two important stages of winterisaton for a diesel boat engine.

Tacking a sailing boat

Tacking is the sailing manoeuvre used to change a boat's direction through an oncoming wind. Tacking a sailing boat calls...

Saildrive maintenance

There are less maintenance tasks to carry out on a saildrive transmission than on a traditional inboard shaft drive system with its associated stern gear. However, there are a few critical things that require maintenance, as recommended in detail by the engine manufacturers, and should be adhered to.

How to read nautical charts

Whilst most sailors today rely on GPS to find their way at sea, nautical charts are a crucial tool for any sailor to navigate safely and effectively. Here is a reminder of some of the basic steps involved in reading a nautical chart:

Boat ownership – some fundamentals

Owning a boat is a big commitment that should bring no end of satisfaction, but the costs of maintaining and keeping a boat are significant and should never be underestimated.

Boat Improvements

My Boat - practical improvements Author - Mike Rossiter Most boat owners who have had their craft for any length of time will have made what they...

Rudders and steering systems – Part 1

Rudders and steering systems. A rudder is one of the most critical parts of a boat. Rudder failure is a common occurrence on neglected or overworked boats and a very unpleasant and potentially dangerous thing to happen when you are out at sea.

A five day sailing cruise of the Solent, UK

Welcome to our virtual Solent sailing cruise – a five day sail in the south of England from Bosham Quay in Chichester...

First Aid Afloat – jellyfish stings

  Wherever you are boating in the world I am sure you will be using a pilot guide to aid your navigation. Often in the...

Leaking decks

Leaking decks are perceived as a nuisance by some boat owners, but if leaks are ignored a much more serious situation may well be developing, especially in the case of boats with balsa or plywood deck cores. So deck leaks do need to be investigated and dealt with.

Steel and Aluminium Hulls

The two metals used for hull construction are steel and aluminium. These are both very strong materials and will last a long time as long as they are cared for, which primarily means protecting steel boats from rust and aluminium boats from electrolytic action.

Tools and spares for your boat

It is wise to have a comprehensive and well-organised tool kit and a supply of spares for your boat. This is both for routine...

Engine failure at sea – common causes and how to avoid them

Many engine failures are caused by lack of maintenance, resulting in fuel filter blockages, water pump failures, overheating and other breakdowns. Indeed, one of the most common reasons for marine rescue service call outs is for one of the most basic reasons possible – boats that have run out of fuel.

Safety Equipment Checklist for Boats

Safety Equipment Checklist for Boats   Liferaft line attached The liferaft will not work unless the trigger line is...

Navigation safety: a quick-reference mobile app to learn the ColRegs NavLights and Shapes

 Safety at SeaSafety at sea will always remains a topical and important subject that will no doubt dominate the syllabuses of nautical...

Understanding your mast and rigging

The rig of a sailing boat is put under huge stresses and strains so it is important for inspections of a yacht's spars and rigging to be...

Essential Knots: Sheet bend

Essential Knots: Sheet bend Use: Joining two ropes together. A sheet bend is particularly useful for joining two ropes of different...

Understanding boat engines

Irrespective of what kind of engine a boat is equipped with and who does the work, the regular care and maintenance of a marine engine is essential. The most common cause of marine engine failure is widely known to be lack of maintenance.

Boat gas system maintenance

There are correct types of hose for marine plumbing, sewerage, exhaust, cooling and gas and all hoses should be checked regularly for wear and deterioration.

Understanding tides

If you are used to sailing in tidal waters, you will know that tides can be both a benefit and a hindrance to the sailor. In many ways,...

Marine engine electrical system

The typical basic electrical system associated with a marine engine includes a dedicated engine starting battery, a starter motor, a charger in the form of an alternator, a solenoid and some engine sensors and instruments.

First aid at sea basics

At least one person on board should be trained in first aid and know how to administer the contents of the first aid kit, ensuring there are adequate supplies for the planned duration of the trip.

Top 5 Reasons Why an Inflatable SUP Should Be Your Next Yacht Accessory

In this article, inflatable paddle board expert Jason Paul gives the top 5 reasons why an inflatable SUP should be your next...