Motor Boating Basics

Motor Boating Basics is the ultimate collection of visually clear and straightforward 'how-to' guides on all aspects of motor boat handling and ownership, designed to make motor boating as accessible as possible for even the newest enthusiasts. Each chapter follows the same helpful format covering a topic, with an introduction followed by six simple, illustrated steps to show you exactly what you need to do at each stage of the process. This book is an ideal introduction to motor boat ownership, driving and maintenance, and covers topics on: - Essential skills - Boat maintenance - Navigation - Berthing - Boat handling By breaking everything down into easy to follow steps, even the most inexperienced boater can master new skills quickly, and old hands will find something new in the useful hints and tips added by the author, Motor Boat and Yachting magazine's Jon Mendez.

An early love of boating on the Thames and being afloat in any form led Jon Mendez to take it up professionally over 25 years ago. He is a former RYA instructor and examiner and one of the most highly respected motor boat skippers and trainers in the business.

Essential skills How to: Use the right knot Lasso a cleat Coil mooring lines Tie up your boat Use a lifejacket properly License and use a vhf radio Set your anchor Anchor safely Retrieve a man overboard Pick up a mooring buoy Pick up a mooring buoy solo Use a lock Boat maintenance How to: Antifoul a boat Polish a boat Change anodes on an outdrive Clean teak Replace fuel filters Navigation How to: Set up your chartplotter Create a route on a plotter Follow a route on your plotter Use pilotage Set up a radar Boat handling How to: Hold your boat steady Turn in a tight space Turn a single-engined boat in a tight space Turn a twin-engined boat using only one engine Berth a twin-engined boat using only one engine Move a boat sideways Ferry glide Use prop walk to your advantage Drive to windward Drive downwind Drive in a beam sea Throttle and trim your engine Make fast turns safely Drive in rough water Drive an IPS boat better Berthing How to: Leave a dock Berth in windy conditions Leave a windy berth Berth single-handed Leave a berth solo Back into a berth in a single-engined boat Come alongside in a single-engined boat Back into a berth Dock a single shaftdrive boat Use a bow thruster effectively Leave a berth in a single-engined boat Berth an IPS boat Tie up a big boat Raft up to another boat Use pile moorings