Thanks for the compliment...
From Brent: I purchased that title on Hull and Deck repair by the same author today. I really appreciate the info and help. This site is invaluable to me.
No problem, happy to be of assistance. Casey's books are really nice, high level overviews that really simplify lots of different processes on your boat. Once you get into it, there are other sources that are good also - and more detailed:
Calder's 'Boat Owner's Mechanical & Electrical Manual...' - the big bible of boat systems...
The other excellent books in the Casey Series - Go to Amazon.com\books and look up 'Don Casey'...
Not to mention the companion to Casey's Series by Compton on Marine Diesels....
And Calder's excellent book on Marine Diesels...
And of course, Brion Toss' excellent book on rigging...
The main thing I've discovered is not to let the "boat business" people (yard people, specialists) freak you out - :eek: - by scaring you into letting them do stuff you can do (and charging you to the moon for it). You can do about 98% of the stuff yourself - learn something from it, and do a better job (because it's in your best interest).
You do have to be wary of areas where professional experts are needed - such as in surveying your rig, doing major hull work, etc. In your case, I would consult some people who do glass work and read some books about it first (and go talk to some people down in the yard who do it for a living). The one thing you'll really want to watch is the final appearance of your decks. You really, REALLY don't want the job looking too much like it came from Home Depot.
For instance, I re-cored my forward anchor locker hatch last winter. I did a good job - but got careless, and let the epoxy run over, some drooled onto the non-skid on top. It's still there - I cannot get it off now - and it bugs me. Take your time, research the living hell out of it, then REALLY take your time - and think ahead. You'll be amazed what a difference it makes.
Another case: I have some spots that I need to have a hole filled in my cockpit (old radar mount) - and will need to have the gel coat redone in those areas. I'll consult someone to do that - because color mixing/matching is something I am not very good at. Like Dirty Harry said, "...a man's got to know his limits..." 'Feeling Lucky' is something you have to balance each time.
Anyhow - that's the sermon. One other note - in my other post I mentioned a "small investment" with respect to your boat. Please know I did not mean anything by that - and hope you took no offense. The investments we all make in our boats is important to all of us - both as individuals and as a community - so it makes no difference if it's $3,000 or $300,000 - your care for the boat is all that matters.
Good Luck!
//sse
