McGraw-Hill has just published a new book by Charlie Wing. (Wing previously
wrote "Get Your Captain's License" and "The Boatowner's Illustrated Handbook of
Wiring.")

"How Boat Things Work" presents an extremely simplified overview of every major
system aboard most power or sailing boats. Large, carefully drawn illustrations
and exploded views provide basic but accurate explanations of electrical,
hydraulic, and mechanical components.

The book could not serve as a technical reference for an involved repair, but
should be useful to the majority of us who know more about some of our boat's
systems than others. There isn't enough information in the book to make on an
expert on any one thing, but there's a good introduction and basic explanation
for almost everything one could hope to find aboard a boat. If nothing else,
"How Boat Things Work" will offer the typical boat owner a better oportunity to
translate technical terms commonly used by service writers, surveyors, and
repair people into understandable concepts.

Publishing date is August 2003. May be available at Amazon or local bookstores
by now. Large format hardback, 175 pages, $29.95.