Offshore Sailing: 200 Essential Passagemaking Tips

"Anybody even thinking of sailing out of sight of land would want Bill Seifert aboard, whether in person or in print. As he describes what gear and skills count the most, Bill generously calls on his many experiences offshore and in boatyards. Since many of his stories are pretty funny (when they aren't painful), Offshore Sailing is one of the most winning boating books I've read--as well as one of the most helpful."--John Rousmaniere, author, The Annapolis Book of Seamanship and Fastnet: Force 10 Bill Seifert has sailed 100,000 offshore miles and has thirty years of experience as a yacht builder, racer, manager, and delivery skipper. He has encountered just about everything that can go wrong with every aspect of a boat, from deck to galley, electricals to plumbing, fuel pump to rigging, and he's earned a worldwide reputation as a crack nautical problem-solver. In Offshore Sailing, he shares his hard-won solutions to a host of boat design, construction, equipment, and seamanship dilemmas. He tells you what works and what doesn't, and step by step--with the help of detailed illustrations and photographs--fills you in on what you need to know for safe, comfortable passagemaking.

• Experiencing diesel engine surge-and-die syndrome (SAD)? Tip 132 tells you why it's happening and what to do about it.
• Worried that your bilge pump might not provide adequate pumping power in rough seas? Tip 8 shows you a simple way to measure its true pumping capacity.
• Want to make companionway dropboards lockable from inside and outside? See tip 71.
• Batteries charging too slowly or not at all? Tip 111 tells you how to locate and stop hidden power drains.

List of contents

Author's Note on Origins

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Countdown to Offshore Sailing

Chapter 1. A Safe Deck

Crew Safety

Jacklines and Cockpit Pad EyesSafety HarnessesKnivesCutting Lines Fouled Underwater

Securing the Deck

KnotsLashing Gear on DeckCockpit Speakers and Other HolesEasy to FloodLeaking Deck Hatches and PortlightsToilet Bumpers on HatchesDuct Tape on Deck FillsClosure of Deck Blower VentsClosure of Chain Pipes Built into WindlassesBedding Deck HardwareAnchors on Bow RollersAll-Chain Anchor RodesCleat GuardsSupports for Cockpit Structures

Yacht Defense Strategy

Clean Your Combination LockReplace Fasteners in Companionway StilesReplace Hatch Hinge PinsDinghy IDTest-Fire Flares

Miscellanea

Chapter 2. Rig and Sails

Running Rigging

Boom PreventerSpinnaker HalyardRight Side UpMasthead Sheave ArrangementMainsheet BlocksRoller FurlingRunning BackstaysSecuring a Halyard TailWhipping LinesReel Out Spools

Standing Rigging

Magnaflux Test KitBolt or Wire CuttersTurnbucklesTape on TurnbucklesCotter Pins in Clevis Pins

Sails

Storm Trysail and Storm JibStoring Spare SailsMarking SailsMeasuring SailsSail Repair MaterialsMainsail Reefing

Other Tricks

Masthead BurgeeSpreader Flag HalyardsRigging a Radar Reflector Hoisted to a SpreaderDissimilar Metals

Miscellanea

Chapter 3. Interior Modifications

Securing the Cabin

HandholdsLocking the CompanionwayRemotely Activated LockDrawersBerth Top Access LidsCabin Sole FloorboardsHingesHolding Down BatteriesConstruct FiddlesPlace FiddlesAvoid the Toilet Seat Toss

Sea Berths

Removable Sea BerthRoot BerthLee ClothsBerth Cushions

Climate Control

FansWashboard VentsCarbon Monoxide Detector

What's What and Where

LabelsYacht Inventory Database

Chapter 4. Electronic and Electrical Equipment

Electronics

Interfacing ElectronicsElectronic and Other Devices That Belong on Every BoatEPIRBsHandheld VHF and Handheld GPSNavtexEmergency Radio AntennasIntelligible Boat NameEmergency Use of Ham Nets (Amateur Radio Networks)Other Useful Radio Services and FrequenciesElectronic Timer and ClockSerial NumbersUninterruptible Power Source

Batteries

TypesDeep-Cycle versus StartingBattery Bank ConfigurationsCharging Profiles

Lights

FlashlightsSpotlightRunning LightsAnchor LightLaser Pointer

Ghost in the Machine: Solving Weird Electrical Problems

Watertight Junction BoxBattery ChargingShore Power ProblemsSpontaneous IgnitionEngine Wiring

Playing It Safe

Making the ConnectionLightning

Miscellanea

Chapter 5. Engine, Mechanical, and Plumbing Systems

Engine and Fuel

Engine EducationMechanical Oil Pressure GaugeChanging Oil the Easy WayOil AnalysisEngine Water Flow AlarmRemovable Strainers<

About the author

McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

Summary

Presents solutions to a host of boat design, construction, equipment, and seamanship dilemmas. This title tells you what works and what doesn't, and step by step - with the help of detailed illustrations and photographs - fills you in on what you need to know for safe, comfortable passagemaking.

Product details

• Authors: Seifert, Bill Seifert, William Seifert, William G. Seifert, Seifert William, Daniel Spurr
• Publisher: International Marine Publishing Co
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 16.12.2001
• EAN: 9780071374248
• ISBN: 978-0-07-137424-8
• No. of pages: 256
• Dimensions: 190 mm x 236 mm x 19 mm
• Weight: 660 g
• Illustrations: 15 Illustrations
• Series: International Marine-RMP; International Marine-RMP
• Subject: Guides > Sport > Water sport, sailing