Boats are expensive and they are complicated-unless you are going to pay a professional to carry out a survey (at yet more expense) it is invaluable to be able to:

-Quickly assess a potential purchase for signs of trouble without paying for lengthy reports

-Carry out a detailed check on your own boat the end of the season

-Identify problems and get them dealt with before they get serious

-Get to know your boat in a lot more detail, so if a problem develops at sea you will be more able to cope

Organized into chapters covering: Tools of the trade (basic tools, moisture meters, fingers and feel, smell, mirrors, sources of information)

Checking the hull (including wood construction and rot, GRP laminates, osmosis, metal construction, keels, anodes)

RIBs and inflatables; Engine and systems; Stern gear; Plumbing; Mast and rigging; Electrical systems; Interiors; Safety equipment. At the end of the book there's a handy guide to carrying out a five minute survey-invaluable when making a quick assessment of a potential purchase.

Highly illustrated, with anecdotes and hands-on advice throughout, this practical book gives readers the tools to do much of the work on their own, and know when to call in the experts.