Margaret’s marine diesel engine classes for women are among our most popular. This introductory class will help both sail and power boaters understand their diesel engine, common causes of problems, and basic trouble-shooting techniques. This class won’t make you a diesel mechanic. But it WILL give you a solid, basic understanding of, and hands-on experience […]

Cruiser College offers this popular course taught by local experts helping you to understand the benefits of solar power aboard your boat. We all love our creature comforts, and nothing transforms a boat from a 'weekend camper' to an extended 'comfy cruiser' quite like having plenty of power. . Did you know that a solar […]

Margaret’s marine diesel engine classes for women are among our most popular. This introductory class will help both sail and power boaters understand their diesel engine, common causes of problems, and basic trouble-shooting techniques. This class won’t make you a diesel mechanic. But it WILL give you a solid, basic understanding of, and hands-on experience […]

Cruisers College will offer an all day course about your diesel propulsion engine. Having your Diesel engine fail while underway can ruin your day. Worse, it could put you and your crew in a dangerous position. In general, marine diesel engines are incredibly reliable. They seem just to need, air, fuel, and water for cooling. […]

This Cruisers College 3-hour course will help the student understand how to properly install marine electronics in regard to the transfer of data and communications. You will get an introduction to National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) standards and how they apply to NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000 and Ethernet networks when installing new electronics aboard your […]

Description Boat Canvas Bootcamp Having quality canvas aboard your boat helps to protect your investment and make your time on the water as safe and enjoyable as possible. Professionally made marine canvas can be expensive, however, and many canvas shops have long waiting lists. If you are interested in making or repairing your boat’s canvas, […]

This two-day workshop combines the Mahina Offshore Cruising Seminar (174 presented since 1976 to 11,000 sailors) with Skagit Valley College’s Cruisers College top hands-on classes including marine diesel engines and systems, marine electrical systems, plus sail repair, canvas making, sewing and line splicing. Included in the seminar cost of $329 per single or $559 per […]

Spend a day learning about some of the most magical and easily accessible cruising in our area! Longtime experts will teach you about clearing Canadian Customs, navigating through the Gulf Islands, selecting a weather window to cross the Strait of Georgia, where to go in Desolation Sound, how to anchor and stern tie, provision, and […]

We live in a very beautiful area, one of the best in the world. This may be why it's so busy every summer. If you haven't extended your cruising into the shoulder seasons or even winter, we think you'd be very surprised. This course will share many ideas about off season weather, heater systems, and […]

We're in this together, right? Right. But maybe you could use some tips on how to make the working-together-on-the-boat piece go more smoothly. We'll talk about things like, setting up procedures; attending to how you speak to one another; devising safe line handling techniques; understanding the role of the Lookout ... and much more. Capt. […]