This comprehensive manual shows you how to go places and do things you never thought possible in a small outboard motorboat. A well-designed ruggedly built 17-footer, for instance, can fish offshore, circumnavigate Lake Superior, and crisscross the continent on inland waterways or on a trailer pulled by the family car. Small outboards are among the most versatile boats ever developed and are far more able than you might expect. Covered here are all the popular types--and some exciting alternatives as well as methods that may change your entire boating outlook. Aided by contributions from other experts, veteran outboard skipper David R. Getchell, Sr., offers a wealth of useful facts and special savvy that reveal for the first time in a single book the true potential of these democratic boats 20 feet and under. Here are the means to understand what can be done, and the way to do it safely, including: how to judge a boat's potential and capabilities based on design and construction; how to rebuild an older boat; how to handle a little boat in big seas, surf, or shallow water; how to navigate; how to read the weather; how to head upriver or offshore; how to trailer your boat; how to manage and equip it for camp cruising on a nearby lake or for subarctic exploration; and how to care for the boat and motor.

BOATING. Perfect for onboard use - whether it's for dealing with emergencies, complying with safety regulations and government requirements, refreshing your knowledge of seamanship and piloting, reading charts, assessing weather conditions, or just figuring out what flag to fly, this facts-at-your fingertip reference has the answer. Tides and currents, electronics, life on board, maintenance: it's all here, handily arranged for easy look-up. Numerous charts, tables and line drawings amplify the text, thumb tabs make finding everything so straightforward and a wealth of Internet resources brings this up to the moment. Plus, the technology and communication sections have been thoroughly revised!

One of the most widely respected names in boating creates an indispensable, transportable guide that belongs on every craft. Whatever the situation, it has an easy-to-find answer. Elbert S. "Mack" Maloney authored the huge, all-inclusive, and must-have Chapman Piloting-and now he bring his lifetime of hands-on experience to this highly portable guide. Think of it as a shorter, mini-version of Chapman's landmark volume that's perfect for bringing on the boat. Whether it's dealing with emergencies, complying with safety regulations and government requirements, refreshing your knowledge of seamanship and piloting, reading charts, assessing weather conditions, or just figuring out what flag to fly, this facts-at-your fingertip reference has the answer. Tides and currents, electronics, life on board, maintenance: it's all here, handily arranged for easy look-up. Numerous charts, tables, and line drawings amplify the text; thumb tabs make finding everything a snap; and a wealth of Internet addresses brings this up to the moment.

Whether it’s dealing with emergencies, complying with safety regulations, refreshing your knowledge of seamanship and piloting, reading charts, assessing weather conditions, maintaining your vessel, or just figuring out which flag to fly, the gamut of boating knowledge is covered, clearly and concisely, in this handy, portable guide.

Ahoy, there! From docking and mooring to routine power boat maintenance and repairs, this handy guide is your trusted first mate for smooth sailing For both new and experienced boaters, Power Boating For Dummies is a useful reference that covers the ins and outs of this exciting and popular sport. The book starts at the beginning, taking you through the process of buying a boat, but it's helpful to anyone who owns a boat. Designed to teach you how to pilot a boat, equip it, store it, tow it, handle emergencies, and more, -- it's a comprehensive guide written in jargon-free language . Power Boating For Dummies teaches you everything you need to know about buying, operating, and enjoying a power boat up to 35 feet in length and provides expert guidance for anyone new to the sport and new tips and ideas for improving power boating for even those with some experience captaining a boat: Calculate the costs of boating and compare those costs to non-boating activities Decide which type of boat to buy -- fishing, runabouts, pontoon, cruisers, or houseboats Know which mechanical checks to perform when you're looking at a pre-owned boat Learn the rules of boater safety Find out what it takes to acquire a boating license Outfit your power boat with the right gear, equipment, and supplies -- for fun and safety Operate your power boat, from launching and loading to driving, anchoring, and docking Navigate with charts, GPS, and radar Handle the weather and other boat emergencies Check (and change) fluids, charge your boat's battery, and perform other routine maintenance tasks Check and repair belts and propellers and fix leaks and other minor problems Prepare your power boat for all seasons Keep your boat's galley fully stocked To learn about all of that and so much more, including boating tactics that separate the pros from the amateurs and all-important items you'll never set sail without, grab your copy of Power Boating For Dummies today.