The stories of Jake Kavanagh are quirky, hair-raising, or simply completely crazy. The former Thames lock keeper collects mishaps and misadventures with sailing and motorboats like others collect stamps: a test drive ends with a movie-worthy stunt, the diesel engine only starts after an exorcism, or an unmanned jet ski sinks a solid fishing boat. Just the chapter on navigation, with and without modern electronics, contains the most bizarre episodes. Did you know that buoys are sometimes removed for their own safety? Or that gigantic sandbanks can be created at the push of a button? Since the success of "Lock Keeper's Ups and Downs," Jake Kavanagh has gathered many new stories, all incredibly true. The illustrations alone bring tears to the eyes of every skipper in one way or another.