Boats are expensive and they are complicated - unless you are going to pay a professional to carry out a survey (at yet more expense) it is invaluable to be able to:

- quickly assess a potential purchase for signs of trouble without paying for lengthy reports
- carry out a detailed check on your own boat the end of the season
- identify problems and get them dealt with before they get serious
- get to know your boat in a lot more detail, so if a problem develops at sea you will be more able to cope

Organised into chapters covering: Tools of the trade (basic tools, moisture meters, fingers and feel, smell, mirrors, sources of information); Checking the hull (including wood construction and rot, GRP laminates, osmosis, metal construction, keels, anodes); RIBs and inflatables; Engine and systems; Stern gear; Plumbing; Mast and rigging; Electrical systems; Interiors; Safety equipment. At the end of the book there's a handy guide to carrying out a five minute survey - invaluable when making a quick assessment of a potential purchase.

Highly illustrated, with anecdotes and hands-on advice throughout, this practical book gives readers the tools to do much of the work on their own, and know when to call in the experts.