Comment by nonrandomstring

Sadly I've only time to skim through without doing it justice today, but several passages stuck out, reminding me of a summer spent living on a ketch (a vessel too big and complex for me to handle solo as a teenager, so most of it was spent anchored-up in a sheltered bay playing at being a 'fake' adventurer).

Things that constantly occupied my attention:

Basic 12 volt electrics, not setting things on fire, fuses, understanding wind generators (we didn't have affordable solar in the 80s). Planning and saving power. Looking after lead-acid batteries.

Ventilation and elementary fluid dynamics, not getting gassed or blown-up with diesel fumes, propane or CO.

Food storage and hygiene. Keeping stuff cool. Looking after water supplies. Cleaning surfaces and managing waste.

Maintaining the RIB/dinghy so I could go ashore for shopping.

Listening to the weather forecast and maintaining the radio as an essential piece of kit.

The year after I read Pirsig's disappointing second book "Lila", that tries to expand the themes he already established in "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". Anyway, those books and the boat experience changed my relation to technology at an early age.