Why Didn't I Think of That?

John Roberts has been sailing and writing for 20 years. His articles have appeared in Yachting, SAIL, and Sailing World. He finished his 36-foot cruising sailboat Sea Sparrow from a bare hull with his wife, Susan, has sailed her to Maine, Bermuda, and Central and South America, covering more than 25,000 miles. His previous books are Fiberglass Boats: construction, Repair & Maintenance (Norton, 1984); Choosing Your Boat (Norton, 1986); The Boating Book (1991); and Why Didn't I Think of That? (International Marine, 1997).

• IntroductionAbove DeckCockpitsEquipmentGadgets: ExteriorMasts and RiggingSail PlanWeather ProtectionBelow DeckBugs and VerminDecor and DecorationGadgets: InteriorHeadsHeating and CoolingMildew and MoldMiscellanyOdorsScreensStowageVentilationCruising and SeamanshipAdvice: GeneralAnchors and AnchoringCaribbean Boat BoysCommunicationsDinghiesDiving and SnorkelingDocking and MarinasFuelNavigation and PilotingOffshore SailingSafetySecurityTravel AshoreVisiting Other CountriesWater SupplyWeatherFoodCooking and Food PreparationFishingGalleyProvisioningRefrigeration: Doing WithoutRefrigeration: Electrical/MechanicalRefrigeration: GeneralRefrigeration: IceboxesStovesStowageLife AfloatChildrenClothingEntertainmentGuestsLaundryMailMedicalMoney: Costs and BudgetsMoney: Earning While CruisingMoney ManagementPetsUseful ProductsMaintenanceBackup EquipmentEnginesExteriorMiscellaneous MaintenanceSail CareSewing and Sewing MachinesSinking PreventionSpare PartsToolsMajor Equipment and SystemsBilge PumpsDiesel EnginesElectrical SystemsElectronic EquipmentExhaust SystemsFuel and Water TanksGenerators and Solar PanelsLightning ProtectionLights and LightingOutboard MotorsSteering DevicesAppendix: Contributing CruisersIndexTip Search!