Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible

Perhaps the fastest changing sailing-related technology is that of marine electronics systems, which are almost unrecognizable from a few decades ago. So if there was ever a new edition of a book that could fall under the must-have category, it would be the fourth edition of John C. Payne’s Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible. . . . Sensibly organized and outfitted with a detailed index to direct you to the information you need quickly, this is not a book you’ll read cover to cover, but one you’ll want close at hand to reference frequently. . . . There are few books on boat maintenance that cover a topic as comprehensively as this and every boat owner should recycle their old edition and pick up the latest before their next onboard electrical snafu.

“John C Payne’s Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible is a practical guide which has been the go-to book for cruising sailors for decades, given it is concise and so easy to follow. . . . Do not set sail without it.”

Electrical problems are not an inevitable part of cruising and racing. An acceptable level of reliability is possible, and in fact is necessary,' says author John Payne. His Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible will help you achieve this reliability with detailed information on selecting, installing, maintaining and troubleshooting all the electrical and electronic systems on your boat. The information is presented in classic textbook style, accompanied by tables, graphs, and wiring diagrams to make the information easy to find and understand. Each chapter is dedicated to a system, which is explained and thoroughly analyzed. This new edition is fully updated to include modern systems and new technologies.

“An excellent book worthy of space on the reference shelf of your boating library.”

The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible by John Payne differs from most other treatments of this important topic in its outline format. There’s very little theory or long digressions; as Sgt. Friday's sidekick used to say: "Just the facts, ma'am." The troubleshooting guides are valuable. Includes AC and DC systems, plus most electronic equipment. A handy reference.

On electrics, the best book by far we have come across . . .

Subtitled ‘A Practical Handbook for Cruising Sailors,’ this book ranks with the very best technical works ever produced for yachtsmen. It is a solid book, in feel and content, not only well written, but well produced with clear typeface and illustrations. The content is [so] wide-ranging that to list it would more than fill this short review. Any serious cruising yachtsman will probably buy two copies, one for the boat and one for the home. If I was undertaking a long cruise on a modern yacht, I would rank this book an essential part of my equipment. If you are installing equipment aboard a new or current vessel, then again this book is for you. It is very good indeed.

This encyclopedia begins with primary ship systems, like battery, water, engine and AC, before progressing to more esoteric navigational, communication and instrumentation systems. Laid out like an extended outline, this is, perhaps, the most easy-to-follow electrical reference to date, complete with worldwide service contacts.

A concise, useful and thoroughly practical guide. . . . It’s a ‘must have on board’ book.

Everything a sailor could possibly want to know about marine electronics is here . . . as a reference book on the subject it is outstanding.

[Hundreds of] pages of technical information and diagrams make this weighty tome an essential part of the onboard library. Every aspect of a yacht’s electrical system is covered clearly. All in all, this book makes an essential reference manual for both the uninitiated and the expert.

More and more sailors are relying on electronic and electrical devices aboard their boats, but few are aware of the proper installation procedures or how to troubleshoot them when they fail. This book covers this in a well-written, easy-to-understand format that even a sailor will understand.

To keep a boat healthy and safe one must have an electrical system based on sound principles—think of the electrical systems as parts of the body, arteries, veins and capillaries (wires) providing blood (electricity) to all areas of the body (the boat). This comprehensive publication can be the key to a healthy boat. A very thorough ‘Bible’ indeed, as might be expected from a cruising sailor who is also a professional electrical engineer. It covers both installation and troubleshooting in a concise and practical manner.

A bible this really is, covering every aspect of electrical equipment and installation of for all normal hull materials. The clarity and attention to detail make this an ideal reference book that every professional and serious amateur fitter should have on hand. Even the non-technical yachtsman will find vital guidance and numerous valuable tips.

If you are mystified by all those wires, fuses, buttons, switches, etc., this could be your ticket to understanding not the last word, but the latest.

An increasing number of sailors rely more and more on electronic and electrical equipment aboard their boats, so they should increase their awareness of the subject. But . . . few would be able to differentiate between good and bad, safe or unsafe installations. John Payne has put together a concise, useful and thoroughly practical guide explaining in detail how to select, install, maintain and troubleshoot all the electrical and electronic systems on a boat. As the author rightly points out, there are no 24-hour road services offshore, so this book is essential reading for practical sailors. [It] covers all aspects of the subject in great depth and with authority. Batteries, charging systems, lightning protection, water systems, engine electrical systems, navigation station design, autopilots, interfacing, safety systems, computers and even entertainment systems are covered. It’s well illustrated too, so for those unsure of the subject but willing to learn, the clear and concise illustrations will help immensely. It’s a ‘must have on board’ book.

The ever-increasing range of electrical and electronic equipment available to recreational boaters captures a lot of attention. But Payne says the systems to support all the gadgetry are often ignored. Payne, with 18 years’ experience on merchant vessels, offshore oil rigs and recreational yachts, has written his book for the cruising boat owner. Beginning with theory, the book progresses through selection, installation and maintenance of marine electronics systems. Payne, advisor to three Australian BOC around-the-world sail-racing boats in 1990–91, stresses that electronic navigation systems are only aids and no substitute for good seamanship.

Yes, it sounds boring and no, it probably won’t challenge Jeffrey Archer at the top of the best sellers list. But would a best seller help ensure that when the chips were down all of your electrics and electronics carried on working in the way you intended? This comprehensive volume tells you just about everything you need to know about your boat’s electric and electronics systems and is invaluable if you ever intend to leave your marina berth!