Ahoy, there! From docking and mooring to routine power boat maintenance and repairs, this handy guide is your trusted first mate for smooth sailing For both new and experienced boaters, Power Boating For Dummies is a useful reference that covers the ins and outs of this exciting and popular sport. The book starts at the beginning, taking you through the process of buying a boat, but it's helpful to anyone who owns a boat. Designed to teach you how to pilot a boat, equip it, store it, tow it, handle emergencies, and more, -- it's a comprehensive guide written in jargon-free language . Power Boating For Dummies teaches you everything you need to know about buying, operating, and enjoying a power boat up to 35 feet in length and provides expert guidance for anyone new to the sport and new tips and ideas for improving power boating for even those with some experience captaining a boat: Calculate the costs of boating and compare those costs to non-boating activities Decide which type of boat to buy -- fishing, runabouts, pontoon, cruisers, or houseboats Know which mechanical checks to perform when you're looking at a pre-owned boat Learn the rules of boater safety Find out what it takes to acquire a boating license Outfit your power boat with the right gear, equipment, and supplies -- for fun and safety Operate your power boat, from launching and loading to driving, anchoring, and docking Navigate with charts, GPS, and radar Handle the weather and other boat emergencies Check (and change) fluids, charge your boat's battery, and perform other routine maintenance tasks Check and repair belts and propellers and fix leaks and other minor problems Prepare your power boat for all seasons Keep your boat's galley fully stocked To learn about all of that and so much more, including boating tactics that separate the pros from the amateurs and all-important items you'll never set sail without, grab your copy of Power Boating For Dummies today.

In this guide, Bob Armstrong explains how to operate the boat you choose, paying special attention to: Dock and undocking any boat ; Handling docklines ; Executing close-quarters maneuvers ; Anchoring ; Running inlets ; Adjusting trim for a better ride ; Coping with rough weather. Offfering hints for judging the quality of a boat and presenting a gallery of good boats from each of the many types available, Getting Started in Power Boating is the perfect book for both the advanced boater and the beginner choosing his first craft.