Duncan Wells is an RYA instructor and sailing school principal. He has written for many leading boating magazines in the UK and US. He is the author of the bestselling Stress-Free Sailing, Stress-Free Navigation and Stress-Free Motorboating (all published by Adlard Coles), which have helped countless sailors and motorboaters learn trouble-free boating techniques. He lives in Buckinghamshire.

Jonathan Parker worked as operations manager of Sea Start (the AA of the sea), where he attended more than 3,000 callouts. He runs his own boat servicing and repair company, Parker Marine Services. He is a partner in Parker Adams Boat Sales (who lead the way in walk-through videos and drone spectaculars) and Parker Adams Charters. He is an RYA Powerboat Instructor and teaches the RYA Diesel Engine Course. He lives in Hampshire.

Duncan's books often secure foreign co-edition deals.

Preface

1. Introduction and philosophy
- Jonathan says

2. Principles of the engine
- How does an engine work?
- Types of engine
- The fundamentals of a four-stroke engine
- The fundamentals of a two-stroke engine
- How does a four-stroke diesel engine work?
- How does a four-stroke petrol engine work?
- How to hand crank or turn over an engine
- Turbos and superchargers
- How a hybrid setup works

3. Gearboxes and drives
- Shaft and propeller
- Stern glands - Stuffing boxes, lip seals and face seals
- Sail drive
- Sterndrive
- V drive
- Pod systems
- Other drives
- Propeller pitch
- Bow and stern thrusters
- Modes of travel
- Jonathan says

4. Fuel systems
- How the fuel system works
- Changing filters
- Symptoms of fuel-system breakdowns
- Fuel tanks and gauges
- Jonathan says

5. Cooling systems
- Raw-water system
- Fresh-water and raw-water system
- Common causes of overheating
- Cooling system for an outboard engine
- Exhaust systems
- Jonathan says

6. Air systems
- How does your engine access air?
- Common causes of air system problems
- Jonathan says

7. Lubrication system
- Why lubricating is important
- Camchains and cambelts
- Gearbox lubrication
- Look after your lubrication system
- Changing an oil filter
- Jonathan says

8. Electrical systems
- The basic electrical system
- Looking after the electrics
- Common causes of electrical failure
- 240-volt systems on board
- Jonathan says
- Engine instrumentation
- Jonathan says

9. How to look after your engine
- 1. Optimum temperature
- 2. Optimum fuelling
- 3. Cooling the engine down

10. Checks, servicing and winterisation
- Everyday checks and checklists
- Servicing
- Winterising your boat

11. Cautionary tales
- Jonathan says

12. How to troubleshoot a breakdown
- Flow charts
- Diagnosing common problems
- Tips and secrets to reliability

13. Spares and tools
- What spares to carry
- Tools
- Jonathan says

Glossary
Index