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 also the author of Stress-Free Sailing, Stress-Free Navigation, Stress-Free Motorboating, Stress-Free Mooring and 101 Tips for Stress-Free Sailing (Adlard Coles Nautical), which have helped countless sailors and motorboaters learn helpful boat handling and berthing techniques. He lives in Buckinghamshire.

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