Electrical

I spent my childhood playing with electricity, but most people find it pretty mysterious. You generally can't smell it, see it, or hear it (and please don't try tasting or touching it). How do you know what it's doing?

Don Casey has written a good guide for the novice electrician that's especially tuned for the sailboat owner who wants his electrical gear to work reliably. If your boat lights are flickering, maybe you should consult this book.

My favorite Chesapeake Bay guidebook. While it mentions marinas, it concentrates on anchorages—the kind of places I prefer to spend my time. And in addition to listing shore facilities, it rates each location for Beauty/Interest and Protection. This is the guide you need to really cruise the Chesapeake Bay—a smorgasbord of small creeks and coves.

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