Chapmans is a great book, but honestly nothing is better then taking a course with an instructor if you are new to this, being able to ask questions and see tutorials and get details explinations as well as performing the tasks is the only way to go, a book cannot teach all that, although Chapman's will cover much of it it is unlikely you will go over all of that yourself and have someone to check your progress and work. another option if you read the book is have a hired captain onboard for a day and let him go over hands on techniques on the water, teach you how to handle your boat as well as actually use your specific electronics, it is one thing to see it in a book, but to apply it on your boat with your specific brand and model of electronics is totally different. I don;t even want to think of the number of guys I know who barely know how to use their electronics on their boats...it is both sickening and scary how many people go boating and do not know the basics, or do but cannot utilize them due to lack of experience with their wn electronics. It is very good that you are seeking knowledge to be safe out there which is very commendable, but remember a book will not teach all, you need to either hire someone to teach you or need to spend a few days out there in a protected area you know playing with your electronics and getting to know how to use them properly. Using them at the dock is not a bad idea either, and best way to learn how to read a radar among other electronics are on clear days when you can see targets and figure out how your electronics mark them, do not wait for a bad day to do so. Best of luck!!!
