Reference Library For Marine Surveyors
A Guide to General Average
Recommended by Al Waterman, NAMS CMS
Metairie, Louisiana
Admiralty in a Nutshell
Recommended by Craig W. McGinnes , SAMS® AFF
Annapolis, Maryland
For context on the industry we all work in, I am VERY fond of Admiralty in a Nutshell by Frank L. Maraist. It puts admiralty issues (maritime law) in layman’s terms in the most concise and useful fashion of any reference I have ever found. The attorneys might need Schoenbaum and other references, but for the rest of us, this book is most excellent at explaining the legal principles of the game, and maritime law is a very different game.
It is worth the effort to find, the minimal price to buy, and the time to read. And it doesn’t even take up that much space, leaving lots of room for an expansive library.
American Practical Navigator: “Bowditch”- 2002 Bicentennial Edition
Recommended by Al Waterman, NAMS CMS
Metairie, Louisiana
“Boatbuilding Down East” by Royal Lowell
Recommended by James G. (Jim) Merritt SAMS AMS – SMS
Austin, Texas
The book is worth buying if you have any interest at all in small power boat wood construction or need to survey same occasionally. It has nothing at all about surveying but great detail, step by step, on building a wood lobster boat in the true traditional manner. What a lot of work this entails!
Chris Craft, The Essential Guide.
Recommended by Jim Curry SAMS AMS
Clinton, Connecticut
“Chris Craft, The Essential Guide” by Jerry Conrad, published by the Mariners Museum of Newport News, Va. is packed with photos, serial numbers & specs. of Chris Craft production boats from the 1930’s to late 1970’s and is well worth the $40 price.
In addition, the Mariners Museum has Chris Craft production records and will research (for a fee) any Chris Craft hull number.
Inspecting The Aging Sailboat
Recommended by Paul Slivka AMS # 787
Brisbane, Australia
Don Casey has a very good book on surveying titled ‘Inspecting The Aging Sailboat”, (fiberglass),published around 1996?. International Marine.
It is intended for the boat buyer more than the surveyor, but it is an absolute jewel for refreshing yourself on survey technique with fiberglass sail boats. I picked up several pointers from the book that I use regularly in my work. At the end of the book is a 30 minute self survey technique and list.
I have copied that list and sent it to several potential clients over the years. It is perfect for the client who knows a little, and yet wants to be sure that they have done their homework before engaging the surveyor. One thing is for sure. If you give them the list and they are inquiring with other surveyors, they will come back to you when they are ready to survey.
I have highlighted all of the good parts of the book, and use it for a reality check a couple times a year.
Lloyd’s Survey Handbook 6th Ed.
Recommended by Al Waterman, NAMS CMS
Metairie, Louisiana
Metal Corrosion in Boats
Recommended by Al Waterman, NAMS CMS
Metairie, Louisiana
Marine Insurance & General Average in the U.S. 3rd Ed.
Recommended by Al Waterman, NAMS CMS
Metairie, Louisiana
Marine Insurance Claims
Recommended by Al Waterman, NAMS CMS
Metairie, Louisiana
Manual of Steel Construction
Recommended by Al Waterman, NAMS CMS
Metairie, Louisiana
Modern Ship Design, 2nd Ed.
Recommended by Al Waterman, NAMS CMS
Metairie, Louisiana
Navigation Afloat
Recommended by Al Waterman, NAMS CMS
Metairie, Louisiana
Naval Architecture for Non-Naval Architects
Recommended by Al Waterman, NAMS CMS
Metairie, Louisiana
Primer of Towing
Recommended by Al Waterman, NAMS CMS
Metairie, Louisiana
Steel Away: A Guidebook to the World of Steel Sailboats
Recommended by Terry Lee Tupper – SAMS SA
“Steel Away was a book of great value whence I bought my steel schooner. Electrolysis, steel hulls, problems, designs etc an excellent book on the specialty of steel pleasure yachts.”
Stability & Trim for the Ship’s Officer 3rd Ed.
Recommended by Al Waterman, NAMS CMS
Metairie, Louisiana
Sensible Cruising Designs
by L. Francis Herreshoff.
Recommended by James G. (Jim) Merritt SAMS AMS – SMS
Austin, Texas
To those of you who do not have a copy of Herreshoff’s book I would suggest you purchase same and read it cover to cover. There are ideas and truths expressed that we in the marine community need to keep in our present day thinking. Read especially the comments offered in the section on building “Rozinante”, a classic design originally published in “Rudder” magazine. I still have the original article pages from my copy of the magazine as I helped another boating nut build one many years ago.
Tugs, Towboats and Towing
Recommended by George H. Ried, NAMS CMS
Destrehan, Louisiana
U.S. Navy Salvor’s Handbook
Recommended by Al Waterman, NAMS CMS
Metairie, Louisiana
The VNR Dictionary of Ships & the Sea
Recommended by Al Waterman, NAMS CMS
Metairie, Louisiana