Interviewed and given questionnaires during a ûcoffee break at the Jamestown Boatyard in Co- ûnanicut Island in Rhode Island, this is one of ûthe groups of mechanics whose views form the ûbasis of this report. (Some had gone for a ûcoffee refill when the photo was taken.) Me- ûchanic supervisor Mike Wojnar is at the head ûof the table.

Ghosting along in a bit of breeze, everything silent except for that hiss and burble of bubbles polishing the counter—that's one of the powerful allures of sailing.

But when the wind retires and the water turns into a huge sheet of stainless steel, you must sing out, "Engine room, Bridge here."

And with a turn of a key, that noisy, smelly Beast-in-the-Bowels rattles its bones, chuffs out a puff of smoke, and goes dutifully to work. …