Comfort is not a measureable quality, mainly because it means different things to different people. It also changes according to the weather, the time of year, the size of the boat, the distance from land, the prevalence of seasickness, and the state of the drinks locker. However, sound initial design, good building practice and, if necessary, modifications can make life afloat in cruising yachts immensely more convenient and comfortable than is frequently found.

In this book Ian Nicolson provides really useful advice to help boat owners and builders achieve all of these using his well known, authoritative, easy to follow drawings. To make the most of the gear and gadgets shown in these pages, no professional skills are necessary. The author, a leading yacht surveyor and naval architect, deals with successive parts of the boat such as the chart table, galley, hatches, cockpit and toilet area. He also draws and writes of specific problems found in yachts: refrigeration and cooling, clips and catches, boom gallows, spray stoppers, steps in various places, fiddles, seats and stools and a number of aspects of plumbing.