This is a wonderful book as it is written for the amateur who has no special training in many of the areas discussed. It is also concise and clearly written, and is accompanied by myriad of drawings. As such it is an ideal guide for those who have neither an unlimited array of power tools, nor the skills to use those tools well. Starting with an introduction to nuts and bolts, adhesives and glues, and tools of the trade, the reader is led step-by-step through more than 20 substantial projects. The following are just some of the subjects covered: Control lines to the cockpit; covers, dodgers and biminis; Converting to refrigeration; Bilge pumps; beneath the settee; galley upgrades; a leather steering wheel cover; insulating the engine compartment. The book is littered with hints and tips under the heading "Rule of Thumb," and while some may be simple and well known rules of thumb, if nothing else they reinforce the simplicity with which one can obtain good results for a variety of jobs. Anyone who is maintaining and upgrading their own boat, would be well advised to read this wonderful book.