This is the owner’s manual for the mechanically impaired boater – the simplest, least threatening guide to boat maintenance and repair. It is dedicated to these propositions: Praying that nothing breaks usually doesn’t work, that things don’t break when you’re at the dock, that the things that go wrong are most often things you can solve, that solving problems yourself will give you more satisfaction from your boating, and that reading about all of this ought to be fun. It’s a maintenance book that is actually difficult to put down, as Kroenke’s humor and doses of empathy with the boatowner’s plight makes for a pleasant read. And there’s no talking down to the reader since Kroenke has no doubt experienced most problems you will face, can certainly feel your pain, and can lead you to a comfortable understanding of your boat.