What is the least understood, most dangerous, and pound for pound most expensive system on a sailboat? Electrical systems, without a doubt. Few DIYers understand how to work on them, they are the number one cause of catastrophic fires, and everything about them costs multiple times what the same thing does in an automobile.
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Thankfully, there is a book that can guide you through virtually any electrical problem or project on your sailboat. Sailboat Electrics Simplified takes the mystery out of working on sailboat electrical systems. Don Casey, the dean of sailboat DIY, leads you from the basics of DC theory, through batteries, proper wiring, circuit layout, troubleshooting, charging systems, and AC shore power, all the way to lightning protection.
His practical, not stuffy, buddy-to-buddy writing style makes common sense and quick reading of subjects that other books labor over for chapters as though you are studying for an electrical engineering degree. The many simple illustrations show examples that will save you hours of reading elsewhere. At just 171 pages and with only half of that text, you’ll be working on your sailboat instead of reading about it.
I recommend Sailboat Electrics Simplified to all my friends, and in several posts here:
- Upgrade Your Outboard Motor to Charge Your Battery
- How to Completely Rewire Your Sailboat
- Six DIY Skills Every Skipper Should Learn
There simply isn’t a better book about electrical systems for skippers who want their sailboat to be well-equipped, safe, and reliable. If you’ve got electrical projects to do on your sailboat, there’s a very good chance that Sailboat Electrics Simplified has the answers you need.
One notable exception is LED lights, which aren’t covered in the book. But if you understand that a diode is a basic electrical component and how it works, which is explained in the book, then you already understand LED lights. They are just light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are subject to the same rules as every other component.
With a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating on Amazon, this book is a good knowledge investment.
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The $tingy Sailor 
I had started reading this book on the Amazon site before buying it and the thought came to me, this was published in 1999. How common were LEDs in 1999? I don’t know. And will this book cover that topic? I’m glad I came to your review as it explained, clearly, that LEDs are not covered, but explains that it’s not a big deal. With that information in hand, I’ll purchase the book and I’ll do it through one of your affiliate links since it costs me nothing to do so. I’ll also subscribe. Thanks for being out here.