Nick,
First of all, thank you very much for your kind and detailed answer.
I never tried your utility for just one reason: it uses calibre to generate the ebooks.
I have nothing against calibre, it is in fact a great library management program and I use it on a daily basis, but I don't think it is the best tool for ebook creation.
People who just want a usable file may find it useful, but I am also interested in producing clean and simple ePubs and learning a bit in the process. Calibre creates a plethora of classes which results in an unnecessary long and complicated style sheet and a cluttered text body.
You may wonder why I still use BD, instead of just going to Sigil (which, by the way, imports this file beautifully). Well, I find BD's "Element Browser", "Book corrector" and "Notes and Links" tools easier and faster to use. On top of that, I wrote a simple utility that converts the hideous "html0" format to a simple html with css ready to be imported with Sigil, taking care of smart quotes, chapter breaks, indents and the like in the process. This rather complicated combination has produced the best results for me.
Please do upload your ePub version of "Sailing alone....", I will take a look at it. Maybe you should upload it to MR's library, I think it's an interesting book (though I haven't read it yet).
When I find the time, I will also try your utility; right now I don't have a computer in which I can install it.
Thanks again
Pablo