Comments on: Surveying Fiberglass Sailboats: A Step-by-Step Guide for Buyers and Owners

By: M. Mitchell

M. Mitchell — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:24:42 +0000

Mustin gives a lot of good information in doing your own survey for that boat you have your eye on. I would never recommend not having a professional survey, but this book guides you through a lot of information with good pictures and sketches. Read this book before you go boat searching to eliminate the dogs. Then use this book to hire a really good surveyor and be able to talk intelligently to him. Good luck. Would I buy again. Yes
Rating: 4 / 5

By: Brad Shinn

Brad Shinn — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:07:05 +0000

I used this and another, more detailed book, to complete my own survey on an inexpensive boat with a measure of confidence. I felt that I could gauge the safety and useability of all the major systems of the boat within reason..is it safe, does it work properly, etc.

I didn’t always understand the why behind some analyses, but the average person can easily use the book to a) perform a basic survey on an inexpensive boat, or b) winnow the acceptable from the unaccptable before paying a professional to complete a thorough survey.
Rating: 4 / 5

By: Leon Suty

Leon Suty — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:11:46 +0000

Mr. Mustin explains fiberglass boat construction in very detailed laymans terms. His real world experience dealing with the problems of fiberglass boats and his discuss of what is a real problem and what is something you can live with/expect was informative. The last chapters on the trade of surveying boats for a living were excellent.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: Larry P Fraley

Larry P Fraley — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:56:31 +0000

Henry does it in one 3 1/2 hour setting – completely. I now feel confident in my search for ‘Das Boot’. I drove a 27 foot Tartan for years, decided it was time for a 40 and didn’t know how to proceed in my next move. Now I do. Well written, factual and even mentions, not-unfavorably, some names. I do not believe you could go wrong with this purchase, if, you are on the same quest as I. Retirement, with dive charters in the Caribbe… Buenas Suertes, y’all.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: Anthony D'Atri

Anthony D'Atri — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:39:36 +0000

Books like this are great for scaring one away from the idea of boat ownership. Much alarm is raised regarding blisters, osmotic or otherwise. It’s not clear to me why they’re considered an emergency, so perhaps they’re more of a resale cosmetic / FUD issue than anything else. This book is perhaps most useful for the rarified crowd of people already surveying other types of boats, or with heaps of experience with fiberglass laminates. Much here is above and beyond what a typical boat owner/buyer would realistically be able to do on their own, and assumptions are made about the knowledge and skills of the reader.
Rating: 4 / 5