Comfort is not a measureable quality, mainly because it means different
things to different people. It also changes according to the weather,
the time of year, the size of the boat, the distance from land, the
prevalence of seasickness, and the state of the drinks locker. However,
sound initial design, good building practice and, if necessary,
modifications can make life afloat in cruising yachts immensely more
convenient and comfortable than is frequently found. In this book Ian
Nicolson provides really useful advice to help boat owners and builders
achieve all of these using his well known, authoritative, easy to follow
drawings. To make the most of the gear and gadgets shown in these pages,
no professional skills are necessary. The author, a leading yacht
surveyor and naval architect, deals with successive parts of the boat
such as the chart table, galley, hatches, cockpit and toilet area. He
also draws and writes of specific problems found in yachts:
refrigeration and cooling, clips and catches, boom gallows, spray
stoppers, steps in various places, fiddles, seats and stools and a
number of aspects of plumbing.