An estimated 15,000 people live on board boats in the UK and many more are interested in possibly doing so. The aim of this beautifully illustrated guide is to help people live the dream and not the nightmare, providing a useful step by step illustrated guide on the basics of getting afloat and staying there. The book covers the different types of craft available to the buyer and their good and bad points, and discusses such practicalities as moorings, engines (including basic maintenance and fault finding), layout and furnishing a boat, heating and cooking, types of fuel and stove, safety, options on sanitation, electrics, hull blacking, painting, water tank, survival tips and finances.