Synopses & Reviews
The first book ever to revealwhat boat builders pay thousands ofdollars to learn: the secrets of ownersatisfactionWhat makes a boat owner happy? Eric Sorensenand J. D. PowerandAssociates answer that questionin detail in this revised edition of Sorensens Guideto Powerboats. Now incorporating results from J. D.Powers Boat Competitive Information Study, thisguide tells you everything youneed to know before opening your wallet. From runaboutsand pontoons to express cruisers and bassboats,the book covers it all, explaining the implicationsof different hull designs, construction methods, enginetechnologies, and more. Includes J. D. Power's "PowerCircle" rankings.
Synopsis
Sorensen’s Guide to Powerboats schools readers in the principles of powerboat design, construction, and performance. It acquaints readers with all the major powerboat types over 20 feet, explaining what each type does well or poorly and what to look for in each. Also includes more than 100 rigorous, unbiased technical reviews of new and used boat models and shorter reviews of 200 more.
About the Author
Eric Sorensen has been on the water since the 1960s in all manner of commercial, pleasure, coast guard, and navy vessels. Eric is the founder of Sorensen Associates, a Cape Cod - based consulting firm specializing in analyzing pleasure boat and yacht design, construction, performance, and safety. His boat reviews and articles have appeared in many major consumer and trade boating publications, including Boating, Power and Motoryacht, Professional BoatBuilder, WoodenBoat, Yachting, and Yachts International. He also offers boat reviews and related services on his Web site, www.boatrite.com.
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part 1. How Boats Work
1. Introduction
2. Seaworthiness and Other Mysteries
3. Displacement and Semidisplacement Hulls
4. Planing Hulls
5. The Power Catamaran
6. Construction with Fiberglass and Cold-Molded Wood
7. Aluminum and Steel Construction
8. Propulsion Systems
9. Rudders and Steering Systems
10. Engine Rooms and Outboard Systems
11. Pilothouse and Bridge Design and Ergonomics
12. Topside Safety
13. Accommodations
14. Finding Your Next Boat
Part 2. Boat Reviews
"So Many Boats:" A Market Survey
Freshwater BoatsBass Boats
Bowriders
Cuddies
Deck Boats
Multipurpose Boats
Personal Watercraft and Sport Boats
Pontoon Boats
Ski Boats
Wakeboarding Boats
Walleye Boats
Flats Boats
Catamarans
Rigid Inflatable Boats
Center Consoles
Walkarounds
Dual Consoles
Maine-Style Bass Boats and Cruisers
Express Cruisers
Open/Hardtop Sportfisherman
Convertibles
Sedans and Hardtops
Pilothouse Motor Yachts
Aft-Cabin Motor Yachts
Trawlers
Other Yachts: Marine Medleys
Go-Fasts
Art BibliographyIndex