My book
Book details
Click on the link below to see a full discription
Are you looking to get a cruising boat but are on a limited budget? Are you looking to get a boat capable of crossing oceans? Are you looking to get a boat for family weekends along the coast?
Whatever your goals, if you are interested in taking on a boat restoration project this book could be just what you are looking for. The book is based on 50 years of experience including several major refit projects. It takes you through what type of boat to choose, how to survey her and assess a potential purchase.
Plus, I cover planning and organizing a project. I also discuss some of the major reasons why boats become ‘project boats’, what to look for and what to avoid. I go through many of the major elements likely to arise, such as rewiring a boat or ensuring the ship is safe and seaworthy.
Over the years I have had help and learned from others, both professional boatbuilders and more experienced skippers who have been ‘out there’. I want to pass on some of that advice, so think of me as the guy in the boatyard who can lend a hand just when you need it.
It is always better, safer and cheaper to learn from the mistakes made by others!
Volume 2 - Project Guides
The guides are set to be published in summer 2026.
Volume 2 is a series of guides for specific projects. These are based on my current project restoring Brigid. They go through each project step by step and in more detail than the book with lots of additional illustrations. The idea of these guides is that you can have them open on the chart table while you work. I am also hoping to publish them as print spiral-bound copies on durable paper designed for use in a workshop environment.
I am always interested in new ideas, so if you have a suggestion for a guide you would like to see, email me and I will look at adding it to the collection.
Practical sailor articles
As well as the books here I regularly contribute articles to Practical Sailor. This is a great magazine for anyone interested in getting on the water or maintaining a boat. You can get any of my articles through a subscription to Practical Sailor. Just follow the link.
https://www.practical-sailor.com/product/practical-sailor-subscription