7 Ship Repair Books That Every Professional Should Read

Discover authoritative Ship Repair Books authored by Mohamed Khamis Mohamed, Allen Cody Taube, Fernando Remolina, and other seasoned specialists.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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What if the key to mastering ship repair lies not just in hands-on work but also in the wisdom captured within a few well-chosen books? Ship repair is a demanding field where precision, management, and historical perspective converge to keep vessels seaworthy and safe. Today, understanding the complexities of project management, technical repairs, and maintenance documentation can make the difference between costly delays and smooth operations.

The books featured here are authored by individuals deeply embedded in the maritime world — from seasoned shipyard managers like Mohamed Khamis Mohamed to skilled boatwrights like Allen Cody Taube. Their works don't just offer theory; they provide practical tools, historical insights, and structured approaches that have helped professionals navigate real-world challenges.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific vessel types, repair experience, or project scopes might consider creating a personalized Ship Repair book that builds on these insights. Tailored reading can accelerate your learning journey by focusing precisely on what matters most to you.

Best for managing complex ship repair projects
Mohamed Khamis Mohamed is an experienced shipyard project manager whose expertise grounds this guide in real-world challenges and solutions. His knowledge of shipyard projects management helped him craft a resource that demystifies project lifecycles, delay causes, and management tools specific to ship repairs. This book reflects Mohamed's hands-on background and aims to equip you with a clear understanding of how to navigate complex drydock projects effectively.
Ship Repair Project Manager’s Guide book cover

by Mohamed Khamis Mohamed··You?

2022·324 pages·Project Management, Ship Repair, Project Planning and Management, Project Planning, Risk Management

Mohamed Khamis Mohamed leverages his extensive experience as a shipyard project manager to unpack the complexities of managing ship repair projects. You’ll find detailed explanations of key project management tools like Earned Value Management, Work Breakdown Structure, and Risk Management, all applied within the ship repair context. The book explores why delays occur and offers practical insights into overcoming common challenges faced by shipyards, drydock superintendents, and marine engineers. For example, it dedicates chapters to stakeholder communication and procurement strategies, helping you understand the full lifecycle of drydock projects. If you’re involved in ship repair or studying naval architecture, this guide is tailored for you without overwhelming with jargon or assumptions.

Featured by CNN, Forbes, Inc among top ship repair books
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Best for wooden boat repair techniques
Allen Cody Taube is a bestselling, award-winning screenwriter, author, and illustrator whose deep passion for sailing and art informs his approach to wooden boat repair. Drawing on 40 years of experience building, sailing, and surveying wooden schooners, he wrote this book to demystify complex repairs and share the craft’s secrets. His background as both an artist and a sailor uniquely equips him to present detailed repair techniques alongside clear visual aids, making the book invaluable for anyone caring for wooden boats.
2013·202 pages·Ship Repair, Boat Building, Boats, Maintenance, Woodworking

Allen Cody Taube's decades of hands-on experience as a boatwright and sailor shape this detailed guide to wooden boat repair. You’ll learn precise techniques, from building a steam box and making templates for floor timbers to tackling tough tasks like replacing keel bolts and battling shipworms, all supported by over 100 clear illustrations. Taube prioritizes mindset and preparation, emphasizing organization and tool selection as foundational before diving into repairs like caulking, refastening, and masting. This book suits both boat owners wanting to understand maintenance and craftspeople aiming to refine their wooden boat repair skills without wading through jargon or mystery.

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Best for personal repair plans
This personalized AI book about ship repair mastery is created after you share your background, experience level, and which repair techniques and project management topics interest you most. You also tell us your specific goals, and the book is written to focus on exactly what you need to learn and apply. Using AI to tailor this content means you get a resource that bridges expert knowledge with your unique situation, helping you navigate repair challenges with confidence and clarity.
2025·50-300 pages·Ship Repair, Project Management, Maintenance Scheduling, Structural Analysis, Materials Selection

This tailored book explores the intricate world of ship repair, combining detailed technical knowledge with effective project management principles. It covers essential repair techniques, materials, equipment, and maintenance documentation, focusing on the unique requirements of your vessel type and skill level. The personalized content matches your background and addresses your specific goals, making complex topics accessible and immediately relevant. From understanding structural integrity to coordinating repair timelines, this book reveals how to approach ship repair challenges with confidence and precision. By weaving practical insights with tailored guidance, it offers a focused pathway through the diverse expertise needed to master ship repair efficiently and effectively.

Tailored Guide
Project Coordination
3,000+ Books Created
Best for shipyard project leadership
Shipyard Project Management offers a focused approach to managing ship repair projects, spotlighting recognized project management methodologies adapted for the shipyard environment. It guides you through essential tools like Earned Value Management and risk control, illustrated with a real-world example, the MV QUEEN ANDREA project. This book also supports your professional growth by covering certifications and soft skills vital to excelling in shipyard roles. If you're involved in ship repair, this resource addresses the unique challenges you face, helping you deliver projects efficiently while advancing your career.
Shipyard Project Management book cover

by Fernando Remolina·You?

2017·184 pages·Project Management, Ship Repair, Stakeholders Management, Earned Value Management, Work Breakdown Structure

Fernando Remolina's extensive work in shipyard operations led him to create a guide tailored specifically for professionals managing ship repair projects. This book breaks down complex project management concepts, applying them directly to shipyard settings through practical tools like Earned Value Management and Work Breakdown Structures, demonstrated via the MV QUEEN ANDREA case study. You learn not just the technical frameworks but also how to advance your career with certifications and soft skills crucial for leadership in this niche. If you work in ship repair and want a resource that bridges project management theory with industry-specific application, this book offers a clear path forward.

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Best for maritime industry history insights
Anthony Slaven is one of the editors of this book, contributing to a comprehensive collection of sixty interviews with key figures in British shipbuilding, ship repair, and marine engine-building industries. His deep involvement in gathering these firsthand accounts gives readers access to authentic voices from the sector during its critical years of transformation, making this work an invaluable resource for understanding the industry's complex decline.
2013·270 pages·Ship Repair, Shipbuilding, Marine Engineering, Labor Relations, Industrial Decline

Drawing from a rich collection of sixty interviews with key figures in British shipbuilding, ship repair, and marine engine-building, this book offers an insider’s view on the complex decline of these industries from the 1950s through the 1990s. You’ll gain detailed insights into labor struggles, international competition, and the resistance to modernization that shaped the sector’s trajectory. The book doesn’t just recount events; it presents conflicting perspectives between workers and policymakers, encouraging you to weigh these viewpoints and form your own conclusions. If you’re interested in the social, economic, and political fabric behind industrial change, this oral history provides a layered understanding that goes beyond surface-level explanations.

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Best for accurate repair labor estimates
Don Butler is a fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineers and a member of the Society of Consulting Marine Engineers and Ship Surveyors, UK. His extensive expertise in marine engineering underpins this guide, which distills scarce and valuable information about ship repair labor into a tool for precise cost estimation and budgeting. Driven by the need for consistent, inflation-proof pricing models, Butler’s work addresses practical challenges faced by marine professionals worldwide.
A Guide to Ship Repair Estimates in Man-hours book cover

by Don Butler DTI Combined first class Engineers Certificate of competency for steam ships and motor ships.Chartered Engineer (C. Eng)Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineers (F.I.Mar.E)Member of Society of Consulting Marine Engineers (M.C.M.S)··You?

2012·136 pages·Ship Repair, Ships, Cost Estimation, Labor Forecasting, Dry-Docking

Don Butler's decades of experience as a fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineers and consulting marine surveyor culminate in this precise manual for forecasting ship repair labor. By focusing on man-hours rather than fluctuating currency rates, the book provides a stable framework to estimate repair costs and plan budgets effectively. You’ll find detailed listings of labor expectations for various ship repair and dry-docking activities, which can sharpen your negotiation skills and improve repair specifications. This guide is tailored specifically for marine engineers and industry professionals who need reliable, long-term costing models rather than quick fixes.

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Best for rapid skill building
This AI-created book on ship repair is tailored to your experience and specific learning goals. By sharing your background and which repair areas you want to focus on, you receive a book that concentrates on what matters most for your projects. This personalized approach makes mastering ship repair concepts and skills more efficient, helping you progress steadily within 90 days. Crafted to fit your unique needs, it bridges expert knowledge with your practical challenges.
2025·50-300 pages·Ship Repair, Maintenance Techniques, Project Planning, Troubleshooting, Safety Procedures

This tailored book offers a focused 90-day plan designed to accelerate your ship repair knowledge and practical skills. It explores key ship repair principles, techniques, and project applications in a manner that aligns with your background and specific objectives. The content reveals essential repair processes, maintenance approaches, and troubleshooting methods, crafting a learning journey that matches your experience level and interests. By synthesizing expert knowledge into a personalized pathway, the book helps you navigate complex repair challenges efficiently. It emphasizes hands-on project improvements and rapid skill acquisition, ensuring you engage deeply with the subject matter tailored to your goals and vessel types.

Tailored Guide
Repair Acceleration
3,000+ Custom Books Made
Best for organized ship maintenance tracking
The Ship Log Book by Exocet Journals stands out as a practical companion for anyone responsible for a ship’s upkeep. It provides a dedicated space to record maintenance tasks, repairs, and essential voyage information such as course and wind speed. With 150 pages designed for systematic logging, it helps you maintain an organized record that can be invaluable for ongoing vessel management and safety. This book addresses the real need for accessible, consistent documentation in the field of ship repair and operational tracking, making it a useful tool for ship owners and operators aiming to keep thorough and reliable records.
2020·150 pages·Ship Repair, Maintenance Tracking, Log Keeping, Navigation Logs, Vessel Management

Exocet Journals offers a straightforward tool designed to help you meticulously track your ship's maintenance and repairs alongside essential voyage details like course and wind speed. This log book isn’t about theoretical concepts; rather, it provides a practical system to keep your ship’s history organized over time, which is crucial for both safety and operational efficiency. If you manage a vessel or oversee its upkeep, the clear layout and dedicated pages for daily logs support disciplined record-keeping that can simplify troubleshooting and maintenance scheduling. This book suits anyone who needs a reliable, no-frills method to document the ongoing care and navigation data of their ship, making it less suitable for those seeking in-depth technical repair manuals or engineering theory.

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Best for detailed yacht maintenance records
V Man Smile is an independently published author dedicated to crafting practical journals for boating enthusiasts. With a strong focus on functionality and user experience, Smile created this logbook to help sailors maintain organized records that enhance the boating experience through careful documentation of repairs, maintenance, and trip details.
2021·120 pages·Ship Repair, Maintenance Tracking, Route Logging, Boat Motor Maintenance, Expenditure Logging

What started as a practical need for organized record-keeping led V Man Smile to develop this focused journal for sailors and boating enthusiasts. You’ll find dedicated sections to log routes, repairs, maintenance details, and expenditure, all designed to help you track vital information efficiently during your voyages. Chapters break down essential data points like motor maintenance and supplier contacts, which can be crucial in emergencies or planning future trips. This book suits anyone who wants to maintain detailed records of their yacht or motorboat activities without fuss, especially those who value a tangible log to reflect on past adventures.

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Conclusion

Across these seven books, a few clear themes emerge: the indispensable role of strong project management, the value of hands-on technical expertise, and the importance of meticulous record-keeping. Whether you're managing a drydock project or preserving a wooden boat, these works provide distinct yet complementary perspectives.

If your challenge lies in orchestrating complex ship repair projects, start with Mohamed Khamis Mohamed's and Fernando Remolina's guides. For those focused on craftsmanship and maintenance, Allen Cody Taube's techniques and the detailed logbooks offer practical, everyday value. History buffs and industry analysts will find rich insights in Crossing the Bar.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Ship Repair book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and confidently tackle ship repair challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with the "Ship Repair Project Manager’s Guide" if you're managing projects or want a comprehensive overview. For hands-on wooden boat repair, "The Art of Wooden Boat Repair" is perfect. These foundational choices set the stage for specialized topics you may explore later.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Ship Repair?

Not at all. Many books like Mohamed Khamis Mohamed's are written clearly without heavy jargon, making them accessible to newcomers while still valuable to seasoned professionals.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with project management-focused books to understand frameworks, then dive into technical manuals and maintenance logs. Historical works like "Crossing the Bar" can be read anytime to enrich your perspective.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your role and needs. Project managers benefit most from management guides, while technicians and boat owners will find repair and log books more relevant.

Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?

"A Guide to Ship Repair Estimates in Man-hours" offers practical tools for cost and labor estimation that you can apply immediately in budgeting and planning.

Can I get ship repair knowledge tailored to my specific vessel or skill level?

Yes, while these books provide expert knowledge, creating a personalized Ship Repair book can tailor insights to your vessel type, expertise, and goals. This complements expert advice perfectly. Explore options here.

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