Discover the intricate workings of sailboats and powerboats from ground tackle to propulsion gear - and everything in between! Whether you're a new mariner or a lifetime veteran, How Boat Things Work is a resource you can't afford to be without. With intricate two-color cutaway drawings of eighty different systems and devices, as well as detailed explanations of how they're assembled, how they work, and how they can go wrong, this book covers every primary component of your boat's inner workings.The systems explored include: engines, transmissions, bearings, stuffing boxes, propellers; steering systems, autopilots, windvanes, compasses; rigging, splicing, line handling, block and tackle, sail controls; anchors and windlasses; DC and AC electrical systems; and, pumps, toilets, seacocks, freshwater systems. This introduction to the secret lives of boats is also the ideal complement to your troubleshooting and repair manuals and instructions. How Boat Things Work will be a welcome companion on every voyage you take.