[.ca] This Old Boat (ISBN 0071579931)

Understandable explanations, quality on a budget:
This is my #1 reference book for maintaining and restoring (is there a difference?) my boat. Mr. Casey gives easy to understand and easy to follow instructions on how to perform basic repair and upgrade tasks. The projects described, for the most part, tell how to do things inexpensively but still obtain a high-quality result. Everything from how to re-bed a stanchion (and what kind of caulk to use) to building your own sails.

Not complete:
I found that the book lacked certain basic information. for example: when restoring an old boat, one must typically contend with transporting the boat (perhaps mention of trailer, and cradle designs), or de-masting and storage, removing the multi-layers of antifoulant paint, correct the grazing of the gelcoat. For the interiour, one may decide to substitute teak for mahogany, white oak, etc, but there is no mention of altenate woods for cabinetry and interior work. For the deck anti-skid, how can you mold parts of the missing anti-skid, if you dont want to use threadmaster M. I just found the book a little bit less than basic.

I wish there were 10 stars! It should be on everyones shelf.:
I don't know where to begin thanking Casey and recommending him at the same time. A feeble attempt follows: This is the MOST valuable of my 80 or 90 boatbuilding books, hands-down. It doesn't matter what construction material you are using, or what your level of expertise. At the very least, it is a fun, witty, and motivating book. Even if you come out of it with no more knowledge than when you started (I guarantee that will not happen), it will give you the necessary wisdom and motivation to stay the course. It was the first 'boat building' book I ever purchased, and it alone motivated me to stop dreaming about a boat, and to start building/rebuilding one. And it was to this book I turned whenever a project was frustrating (this is almost daily, for the uninitiated--and he explains this, too). It was also the book I used as a primary reference, and it served me very well in the rebuilding of two medium-sized boats. It has since served me equally well in the building of boats from plans, though you will need more than he offers for this (that does not mean instead of this, but in addition to his book, another will be necessary). Whether you are going to build a boat from scratch, or you are going to refurbish an older boat (he makes a hard sell), this book MUST be read. If you have only one book on your shelf pertaining to the construction/reconstruction/maintenance, this should be it. You will never forget it, and you will recommend it to others as strongly as I am to you. Your boat will feel naked without it.

A great technical book with a crusing style:
This book is very well written. It gives general approaches to tackling all manner of sailboat restoration, repair and maintenance. It gives a very real sense of the human / old boat interactions. Don Casey tells you what to look out for without trying to be a comprehesive step by step guide. He makes you think, and guides you as to what to think about and why. His denial that your mast could be bent sideways indicates Mr. Caseys understanding of the quiet dockside terror which can be part of such a discovery. (If your mast is bent from side to side, you probably need a new one).

A Book With a Cheoy Lee on the Cover has to be good:
Found this to be the best source of information for our restoration project of a 1969 Cheoy Lee Clipper 36. Well laid our and down to earth for the person starting a boat restoration for the first time...