Boating enthusiast Claiborne S. Young offers sportsmen a complete guide to the selection, outfitting, and maintenance of a power boat. Young has assembled his firsthand experience with power boats into a step-by-step manual, designed particularly with beginners in mind.Young's guide saves beginners and seasoned cruisers who are stepping up to a larger boat both time and money. It contains a wealth of research as well as valuable inside tips for avoiding common pitfalls. Young begins with preliminary advice to captains who are buying their first thirty- to forty-five-foot boat. Explaining how different types of hulls and designs can affect a boat's on-the-water performance, he helps determine the skipper's needs of size, power, and style.While waiting for the boat to be delivered, Young suggests that cruisers take care of details such as acquiring appropriate insurance, choosing a marina, and taking preliminary courses on navigation or safety. Once the boat has arrived, the most exciting part--outfitting--begins. Young lists the basic necessities as well as practical and optional accessories that can facilitate on-board tasks. His emphasis is on safety as he discusses flotation devices, communication and navigation systems, and the dual importance of reading charts and heeding the warnings of offshore navigational aids.