This fully revised third edition of a classic manual is a mine of information for yachtsmen to customise their boats. An abundance of clear illustrations accompanied by concise explanations cover the following subjects: hull construction and repairs; keels, floors and decks; rudders, tillers and steering gear; cabin tops and cockpits; hatches and ventilation; cabin furniture; chainplates; deck and cockpit fittings; pulpits, stanchions and guardrails; spars, mast fittings and steps; sails and rigging; engines and electrics; tanks, piping and plumbing; yacht tenders, dinghies and liferafts; anchors, chains and warps; fitting out and laying up.

Ian Nicolson is one of the most prolific yachting writers. He has written twenty-four books on yachting and his articles since 1947 number several thousand. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, a previous partner in A. Mylne & Co., he founded Nicolson-Hughes Sails and is visiting lecturer at four universities. He lives in Scotland, has three children and four grandchildren, who all sail ... a lot.