DIY Electrical: Learn to troubleshoot & wire like a pro
2022-04-23 09:00 - 12:00, 2022-10-09 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
Gio & Julie , Skagit Valley College Marine Technology Students will take you through the ins and outs of your vessel’s electrical systems. This hands on course will teach you how to use your multimeter for trouble-shooting, understand marine wiring, and how to “Keep Your Electrical System Alive”. Every boat owner should understand their electrical systems…..

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Understanding Weather - Making the Go or No-Go Decision with Mark Bunzel
2022-04-23 13:00 - 16:00, 2022-11-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
Changing weather is one of the things most boaters and their crews fear most. Usually it is not deadly, but it can be downright scary when a pleasant day of boating turns ugly. Knowing the basics can help you interpret the weather and make a good go or no-go decision. This course will take you through the basics of how to understand the information available and how to combine it with tide and current information to determine the sea conditions. The class will use actual examples and gather weather data from the internet, cell phone and VHF radio. Software apps will be used and their shortcomings will be reviewed. They say timing is everything, and a few hours difference with the change of current can make all difference in the world. We will use a checklist approach where you can create your own system to create an understanding of the weather that fits your vessel and crew.

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Cruise to Desolation Sound and the Broughtons Seminar
2022-04-30 08:30 - 16:30, 2023-04-22 08:30 - 16:30 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
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 much more.

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Marine Diesel Engines for Women w/ Margaret Pommert, includes hands-on
2022-05-01 09:00 - 16:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
For both sailors and powerboaters! This class won’t make you a diesel mechanic. But it will give you basic knowledge of, and hands-on experience with, the engine and related systems needed for cruising in locally.

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Medical for the Pacific Northwest Cruiser with Marykay Pasnick
2022-10-08 09:00 - 12:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
Last year one of the most requested courses at Cruisers College was medical at sea. Medical concerns are always a topic of interest to Pacific Northwest cruisers because we like remote cruising, racing, hiking, and adventures on our vessels. There are always risks when cruising, but being prepared and knowing what to do in an a medical emergency is essential for every mariner.
This course covers many topics, a few highlights

Assessing injuries, being the nurse
Temporary splints/broken bones
Head injuries
Treating burns
Infections
Cuts and lacerations
What a Proper medical kit contains – including a checklist for your vessel
and more!

Marykay spent her career as an E.R. doctor and life-long cruiser. From small vessels to cruising the inside passage and S.E. Alaska on a George Buhler “Diesel Duck”, she will share her knowledge and experiences with you!

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Outboard Motor Service, Repair and Maintenance with Matt Mardesich
2022-10-08 13:00 - 16:00, 2023-10-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
Instructor: Matt Mardesich
Cruisers College will take you through the ins and outs of your outboard engine during this 3 hour class. Nearly every cruising boat has an outboard powered dinghy. These motors have been around for a long time and are very dependable if maintained properly. Ethanol in our fuel systems is creating more and more problems for outboard engines. This course will cover the basics for all outboard engines.
Sample of topics covered:

Oil Changes
Fuel care and handling
Lower unit testing
Water pump impeller replacement
Electrical systems
Routine Maintenance & Tune up
Winterization

After this 3 hours course, you will understand how to take proper care of your engine and keep it starting easily.
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Marine Canvas for Cruisers by Mike Reese
2022-10-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
Description

Join us for an in-depth look at your boat’s marine canvas and the role it serves in protecting your vessel and helping to ensure a safe and enjoyable time on the water. Topics will include, repair and maintenance of canvas, types of canvas work typically needed on cruising boats, design and construction considerations on new projects, what to expect, and ask for, from your favorite canvas shop, and which projects you can tackle yourself versus having made professionally.
Instructor Bio
Mike is a life-long boater and 30-year veteran of the marine industry. His passion for sailing and powerboating has inspired him to learn as much about boats and marine systems as possible. Mike is a professionally trained Marine Surveyor and Marine Canvas Fabricator. He has seven ABYC Certifications, including Marine Electrical, Corrosion, Systems, Diesel Engines, AC/Refrigeration, and more. In previous roles, Mike has managed sailboat rigging shops and installed & serviced marine systems. He has also worked for many of the industry’s premier manufacturers and suppliers of heating systems, marine hardware, running gear components, and propellers. When not helping his clients, Mike and his wife Linda can be found cruising in Northwest waters on their 40-foot trawler or racing around the buoys on their 30-foot sailboat.
Mike loves sharing his knowledge and passion for boats and hopes to see you soon at one of our many training events.

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Managing Power on Board: Balancing Your Energy Needs with Michael Beemer
2022-10-09 13:00 - 16:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
There are many new choices for generating and managing power on your boat – solar cells, fuel cells, high-output alternators and of course – a genset…..
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Mastering Navionics App to Sharpen Your Navigational Skills with Linda Lewis
2022-11-05 09:00 - 12:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
Using the “Navionics” app makes it easy to learn and practice navigation at home, then carry your work onto the boat as a backup to your on-board electronics. We will do hands-on work in the seminar, learning how to:
– understand the meaning of the colors and symbols
– plan a trip by entering and naming routes
– find tide and current data – including how to use the data
– adjust the app’s settings
– how (and why) to orient the screen, and more.

You can download the NAVIONICS “BOATING HD MARINE & LAKES” app just before the seminar and choose the two week trial. You can use the app during the seminar to ‘learn how to navigate’, then decide if you want to pay for and keep the app or perhaps upgrade to the NAVIONICS “US & CANADA” version of the app.

Captain Linda Lewis has taught hundreds of mariners and is an expert navigator. She has created this seminar to teach navigation skills in a way that will make understanding and practicing navigation a pure pleasure. Attendees will receive a PowerPoint Show link after the seminar so they can view her tutorial slides online and continue practicing. Who knew such a critical boating skill could also be so much fun to learn!

Bio:
Capt. Linda Lewis holds a USCG 100-Ton Masters License and provides customized on-the-water instruction, on-your-boat (www.privateboatinginstruction.com). An Emeritus Associate Professor from U of WA, she brings her professional educator background to presentations on navigation and boat handling topics yearly at the Seattle Boat Show, TrawlerFest, and yacht clubs. She is also a member of Northwest Women in Boating and Women Who Sail and Power Boat. As a Volunteer in the USCG Auxiliary, she teaches a 9-week Navigation course to the public. Linda has been an avid boater for 45 years (sail & power), with 25 years of hands-on experience cruising the Inside Passage (including nine cruises to SE Alaska). She now single-hands her 45’ trawler-style vessel, inviting friends to cruise with her.

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D.I.Y Diesel Engine Maintenance & Troubleshooting with Matt Mardesich
2022-11-05 09:00 - 16:00, 2023-02-25 09:00 - 16:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
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. You could add electrical power for starting, and you have covered the range of needs for a diesel engine. Most engine problems are due to fuel issues or keeping the engine cool. Using the Marine Tech Centers diesel engine lab, we will work with live diesel engines running where you can walk around the engine and see the different systems. You can look at the injectors and even learn to bleed the engine before starting.
Sample of topics covered:

Annual and Regular Maintenance:
Changing the oil and oil filters
Changing Fuel filters
Overheating can kill a diesel engine. Make sure your cooling system is maintained regular to avoid overheating and costly repairs.
There is no warning for salt water incursion in your transmission cooling system. Gear coolers should be inspected it annually and replace or cleaned every 5 years
Impellers should be inspected annually and replaced every 1-2 years depending on use
Replacing hoses and belts every five years

Learn how to troubleshoot:

Electrical systems on your engine for starting or charging.
Vacuum gauge installation in your fuel system after the primary fuel filter to tell you if the system has a blockage or if the primary filter is dirty from bad fuel or a problem in the tank.

This is one of our most popular courses.. After this one day course you will have a good understanding of how your diesel engine works and the basic areas for good maintenance and troubleshooting.
Matt Mardesich is the primary propulsion instructor at Skagit Valley College. Matt has been around the water all his life and still does some commercial fishing when not teaching at the technical school. Matt is an ABYC certified Master Technician and holds certifications in Gasoline/Diesel engines and electrical. Some of the many topics he has done include: diesel engines, gasoline engines, outboard motors, and hydraulics.
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Overboard Recovery On A Power Boat: Using A Lifesling with Linda Lewis
2022-11-05 13:00 - 16:00, 2023-10-14 13:00 - 16:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
The Lifesling was developed for sailboats, but with some inventive rigging it is also extremely useful on power boats. The biggest challenges are finding a good location for the Lifesling and, most importantly, figuring out how to rig the 5:1 Block and Tackle connection-point that is high enough and strong enough. Capt. Linda Lewis teaches Lifesling recovery on power boats and has photos of multiple approaches to the rigging challenges power boaters face. The classroom portion of the course includes a video of a Lifesling recovery, a demo of the gear, and a time for trouble-shooting ideas for YOUR boat. The second part of the course will be a lab, hands-on practice session, working with the retrieval gear – everyone taking a turn actually hauling someone up into a mock-boat who is seated on the floor in the classroom building. Can YOU get your partner into the boat?
Capt. Linda Lewis holds a USCG 100-Ton Masters License and provides customized on-the-water power boat instruction, on-your-boat (www.privateboatinginstruction.com). An Emeritus Associate Professor from the U of WA, she brings her professional educator background to presentations on navigation & boat handling topics yearly at the Seattle Boat Show, Trawlerfest, and yacht clubs. She has 25 years of hands-on experience cruising the Inside Passage (including nine cruises to SE Alaska) on both sail and power boats. Today she single-hands her 45’ trawler and cruises with friends as crew.
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NMEA 2000 Networks: What’s Available & D.I.Y by Jennifer King & Monica Riess
2022-11-06 13:00 - 16:00, 2023-02-25 13:00 - 16:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
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 boat. You will also learn some troubleshooting tips on how to test new and current equipment, as well as common mistakes to avoid.
Sample of topics covered:

Connecting and converting
NMEA 0183 Data
NMEA 2000 Standards
NMEA 2000 Proper Installation
Electronics troubleshooting
New Products for the recreational boater

Jennifer King and Monica Riess are instructors for Skagit Valley College Marine Electronics courses for the last 4 years. They are graduates of the SVC Marine Maintenance and Technology Program. Using course material from the NMEA and field experience, Jen and Monica enjoy teaching future technicians the basics of marine electronic installations. Jen and Monica also run their own marine electronics and electrical repair company, K&R Marine Services, in the Anacortes and La Conner, WA region for the last 8 years. They are both NMEA and ABYC certified and are known for their high quality of work and attention to detail.

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Learn from Experts: Lithium Batteries: Installations, Standards, & Options
2022-12-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
In September we offered a course about “Drop-In” lithium batteries and we ran out of seats! Lately there is a lot of talk about lithium batteries. These batteries are everywhere from electric toothbrushes, vacuums, bikes, cars and boats. The boating industry knows that boat installation can be much more complicated than a simple eBike, phone, or computer.
Upgrading to lithium batteries makes sense for many cruisers and the benefits are great. Over the past 10 years we have learned a lot about using these batteries in the marine environment. There are many things to consider when using these batteries, including a new standard put out by the American Boat & Yacht Council, E-13 Lithium Batteries. We will spend a good amount of time explaining what we have learned about these batteries, specifically about how we want to use them in the marine enviroment.
Topics will include ABYC standards, best practice, latest data, and how to create various systems that have proven themselves on cruising vessels.
Michael Beemer is the department chair for Skagit Valley College’s marine maintenance and repair program. Michael has been presenting and teaching professionally for almost 20 years and holds a master’s degree in education. At the college he teaches all the systems courses, including ABYC certifications. He and his wife have cruised extensively from Anacortes to southeast Alaska for many years on their motor-sailer. In the cruising community, Michael is well known as “The Boat Doctor” who can diagnose and fix almost anything on a vessel. Some of the many topics he has done include: diesel engines, electrical systems, solar, new battery technologies, extended inside passage cruising, and more.
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Marine Diesel Engines for Women w/ Margaret Pommert, includes hands-on
2022-12-03 09:00 - 16:00, 2022-12-04 09:00 - 16:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
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 with, a marine diesel engine and related systems that you need to have to cruise the Pacific Northwest. This class will review marine diesel and drive train systems that are both the most likely to cause problems, as well as being the easiest to fix (or prevent failing). You’ll discover there’s a lot you can do for you diesel and drive train that doesn’t require lots of strength or using expensive tools.
Participants will receive example checklists and tool lists to tailor for their own vessels.
Sample of topics covered:
• Safety around engine systems
• How to avoid causing problems by the way you drive and manage your boat
• How to perform daily engine checks, using a sample checklist
• Tools and supplies for daily engine checks and basic repairs
• Basic electrical troubleshooting using a multi-meter
• Replacing raw water impellers
• Checking and changing fuel filters
• When your engine fails: basic diagnostics
Bio: Capt. Margaret Pommert is a US Coast Guard licensed 100-ton captain and a nationally certified Master Instructor for both sailing and powerboating. She attended the SVC Marine Maintenance Technology program and is an ABYC certified Marine Diesel Advisor. A leader in the Pacific NW women’s boating community, Margaret was honored with 2019 National Women’s Sailing Association Leadership in Women’s Sailing award.

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Solar Power & Installation by Mike Beemer/Mike Resse
2022-12-03 13:00 - 16:00 | WA
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 array can pay for itself in as little as three years compared to charging with an internal combustion engine? And, your batteries will love you for it! We have lots of new technologies and options for boaters – come spend a few hours with us learning about sun power!
A sample of topics covered:

Designing a solar array for any boat
Series vs Parallel installations
How to control your solar energy
Comparison of solar panels, costs, and batteries
Installation requirements and options

After this 3 hours course, you will understand how to install, or upgrade a solar installation and the many options available to the modern boaters. Let’s keep the batteries charged!
Mike is a life-long boater and 30-year veteran of the marine industry. His passion for sailing and powerboating has inspired him to learn as much about boats and marine systems as possible. Mike is a professionally trained Marine Surveyor and Marine Canvas Fabricator. He has seven ABYC Certifications, including Marine Electrical, Corrosion, Systems, Diesel Engines, AC/Refrigeration, and more. In previous roles, Mike has managed sailboat rigging shops and installed & serviced marine systems. He has also worked for many of the industry’s premier manufacturers and suppliers of heating systems, marine hardware, running gear components, and propellers. When not helping his clients, Mike and his wife Linda can be found cruising in Northwest waters on their 40-foot trawler or racing around the buoys on their 30-foot sailboat.
Michael Beemer is the department chair for Skagit Valley College’s marine maintenance and repair program. Michael has been presenting and teaching professionally for almost 20 years and holds a master’s degree in education. At the college he teaches all the systems courses, including ABYC certifications. He and his wife have cruised extensively from Anacortes to southeast Alaska for many years on their motor-sailer. In the cruising community, Michael is well known as “The Boat Doctor” who can diagnose and fix almost anything on a vessel. Some of the many topics he has done include: diesel engines, electrical systems, solar, new battery technologies, extended inside passage cruising, and more.

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Marine Canvas for Cruisers by Mike Reese
2023-03-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
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, join us for a 1½ day class aimed at orienting you on the tools and techniques needed to produce and repair quality marine canvas for your boat.
• Tools and equipment needed for boat canvas
• Fabric, hardware, and other materials used in marine canvas products
• Sewing machine setup and use
• Basics of measuring and pattering your project
• Construction techniques
• Repair and maintenance of your canvas
The class is structured to be interactive with presentations followed by hands-on labs that cover key topics. Our time together culminates by using many of the techniques taught in class to make a small project to take home.
Important note: In order to ensure the best possible results, this class is strictly limited to 12 participants. Sign up early to ensure your seat! We have two offerings because on Sunday you’ll have 1/2 day with the instructor and access to sewing machine. We have 6 machines so half of the group will be in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. This class has the morning lab session from 9-12.
Instructor Bio
Mike is a life-long boater and 30-year veteran of the marine industry. His passion for sailing and powerboating has inspired him to learn as much about boats and marine systems as possible. Mike is a professionally trained Marine Surveyor and Marine Canvas Fabricator. He has seven ABYC Certifications, including Marine Electrical, Corrosion, Systems, Diesel Engines, AC/Refrigeration, and more. In previous roles, Mike has managed sailboat rigging shops and installed & serviced marine systems. He has also worked for many of the industry’s premier manufacturers and suppliers of heating systems, marine hardware, running gear components, and propellers. When not helping his clients, Mike and his wife Linda can be found cruising in Northwest waters on their 40-foot trawler or racing around the buoys on their 30-foot sailboat.
Mike loves sharing his knowledge and passion for boats and hopes to see you soon at one of our many training events.

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Mahina Offshore Cruising Workshop featuring John Neal and others
2023-03-11 08:00 - 2023-03-12 17:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
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 couple is one copy of the Offshore Cruising Companion, the 260-page textbook which retails for $60.
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7:45 Registration
8:30 Introduction
9:00 Boat Selection: Choosing the right boat.
10:00 Getting Started: Transitioning to the cruising life.
10:20 Break
10:30 Diesel Engines: Overview of how they work.
11:00 Workshops: A total of four hands-on workshops – 30 minutes at two workshops now and at 2:45:

Fuel Systems: Changing filter, priming fuel system.
Electrical: Install leads on a test breaker using of wire stripper, ratcheting crimper and heat-shrink connectors. Use the test breaker for emergency engine starting.
Sailrite Sewing Machine: Repair sail tears, seams, luff tape and batten pocket.
Handwork: Use sailmaker’s palm & needle to repair rips & seams plus sew on a sail slide.

12:00 Lunch: Several options within two blocks. Instructors available to answer questions.
12:50 Priority Equipment: Outfitting with the essential gear you really need.
2:00 Fuel Systems: Maintaining this critical system.
2:30 Break
2:40 Workshops: Complete remaining workshops from 11:00.
3:45 Seamanship: Self-reliance, awareness and responsibility.
4:05 Weather and Passage Planning: Latest weather resources, storm avoidance and passage strategies.
4:05 Storm Survival Tactics: Details of nine specific storm tactics.
4:50 Sails and Rigging: Sail wardrobe overview and avoiding rigging failures.
5:20 Best of Northwest Cruising: San Juans to Alaska.
5:30 End
6:30 No-host Pizza Party at Village Pizza – five-minute walk. You’re welcome to bring partners, children, musical instruments and your singing voice! Live Celtic band, games and prizes.
SUNDAY
8:00 Optional Offshore Equipment: Cool gear that makes cruising easier!
9:00 Communications: Coastal and offshore options.
9:15 Engine Cooling Systems: Overview, maintenance and troubleshooting.
9:45 Cruising Medicine: Common problems, prevention, treatment and necessary supplies.
10:00 Break
10:15 Workshops: 30 minutes at each of these two stations now and at 1:45.
5. Cooling System: Replacing raw water pump impeller, thermostat and sacrificial zincs.
6. Electrical: Use of clamp-on multimeter for electrical fault finding.
7. Canvas Making: Sewing protective covers and installation of canvas fasteners.
8. Rope Work: Qualities of double braid and Dyeneema, use and splices. Creating a soft eye loop in double braid.
11:20 Electrical Systems: Understanding and troubleshooting.
12:00 Lunch
12:45 Anchoring: Equipment and six techniques for worldwide conditions.
1:05 Galley Essentials: Organization, stowage, provisioning and meal planning.
1:35 Psychological Aspects: Keeping the balance
1:45 Workshops: Complete remaining two workshops from 10:20.
2:45 Workshop Review: Discuss completed projects. Q&Q with instructors.
3:00 Cost of Cruising, Finances and Responsibility: Managing your finances.
3:20 Customs, Leaving your Boat & Low Impact Cruising: Avoiding drama and leaving a clean wake.
3:40 Coolest Cruising Destinations in the World: John and Amanda highlight their 45 years of cruising.
4:00 The End. Collect course completion certificates.
INSTRUCTORS
John Neal’s 382,000 offshore miles include six Cape Horn roundings plus expeditions to Antarctica, Africa, Australia and Spitsbergen. Since 1976, John’s passion has been sharing his ocean cruising knowledge through 195 sail-training expeditions aboard Mahina Tiare III, a Hallberg-Rassy 46 and through Offshore Cruising Seminars presented annually at major boat shows. John is author, co-author or contributing author of 17 books including Log of the Mahina. www.mahina.com
Michael Beemer is the department chair for Skagit Valley College’s Marine Maintenance and Repair program. Michael has been presenting and teaching professionally for 20 years and holds a master’s degree in education. At the college he teaches all the systems courses, including ABYC certifications. He and his wife have cruised extensively from Anacortes to southeast Alaska for many years on their motor-sailor. Some of the many topics he has taught include: diesel engines, electrical systems, solar, new battery technologies, extended inside passage cruising, and more.
Max and Elizabeth Shaw embarked on a seven-year, 36,000-mile circumnavigation of the Pacific with three young children after 23 years as engineering officers in the Canadian Air Force. Max is a Yachtmaster Ocean Instructor and yacht broker for Yacht Sales West in Sidney, BC. Elizabeth addresses fears and concerns of women leading small groups during lunch.
Molly Howe is a Maine Maritime Academy graduate with a background as a professional mariner in PNW waters and a broad variety of experience cruising and racing under sail. She has a 100-ton Master/500-ton Mate USCG licenses. Molly and her husband, Jake live aboard their Farr 50 and actively race their Melges 24 when she’s not working as a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. Molly will co-present Boat Selection: Choosing the Right Boat.
Anacortes, Washington is located one-hour north of Seattle airport and one-hour south of Vancouver airport and is considered the gateway to the San Juan Islands and the Inside Passage to British Columbia and Alaska. There are several hotels within walking distance of Skagit Valley College’s Marine Maintenance Tech Center and the closest are Cap Sante Inn (very reasonable, not fancy and offering a discount rate for workshop attendees) and Majestic Inn & Spa (very nice). The Marine Tech Center is located within Cap Sante Marina.

Extend your Cruising Season with Mike Reese
2023-10-14 09:00 - 2023-10-15 12:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
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 many tips for using your vessel all year!

Extending Your Season – Outline
Introduction, & why cruise in the off-season
Understanding winter weather patterns & appropriate anchorages
Tips n tricks that can improve comfort & safety on your vessel
Discussing the many options for heating your vessel
How to maintain/service/inspect your heating system

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Couples Sharing the Boat Handling with Linda Lewis
2023-10-14 10:00 - 11:30 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
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. Linda Lewis (USCG 100 Ton Master) has lots of insights gained on her own boat (nine times to SE Alaska) and from working with hundreds of couples in her Private Boating Instruction business. She’s been there; both as participant and as observer/coach. Come with your ideas too!

BIO:
Capt. Linda Lewis holds a USCG 100-Ton Masters License and provides customized on-the-water power boat instruction, on-your-boat (www.privateboatinginstruction.com). An Emeritus Associate Professor from the U of WA, she brings her professional educator background to presentations on navigation & boat handling topics yearly at the Seattle Boat Show, Trawlerfest, and yacht clubs. She has 25 years of hands-on experience cruising the Inside Passage (including nine cruises to SE Alaska) on both sail and power boats. Today she single-hands her 45’ trawler and cruises with friends as crew.

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Pacific Northwest Heating Solutions with Mike Reese
2023-10-14 13:00 - 16:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
Discover the secret of year-round cruising comfort – warm cabins and hot water in November! Get rid of the damp cushions and moldy Musto’s by adding heat and circulation – the most desired upgrade to a Pacific Northwest cruising boat. If properly sized, installed and maintained a heating system should allow you four season cruising in our Pacific Northwest.
Sample of topics covered:

Pro’s and Cons of Different fuels and heating systems
Dealing with moisture on-board your boat
Sizing, designing and selecting your heater
Maintenance for your heating system
Cost analysis
Things to consider for upgrading/adding heat to your vessel

After this 3 hours course, you will understand how to improve, upgrade and maintain your heating system which will keep you nice and warm all season.
Instructor Bio
Mike is a life-long boater and 30-year veteran of the marine industry. His passion for sailing and powerboating has inspired him to learn as much about boats and marine systems as possible. Mike is a professionally trained Marine Surveyor and Marine Canvas Fabricator. He has seven ABYC Certifications, including Marine Electrical, Corrosion, Systems, Diesel Engines, AC/Refrigeration, and more. In previous roles, Mike has managed sailboat rigging shops and installed & serviced marine systems. He has also worked for many of the industry’s premier manufacturers and suppliers of heating systems, marine hardware, running gear components, and propellers. When not helping his clients, Mike and his wife Linda can be found cruising in Northwest waters on their 40-foot trawler or racing around the buoys on their 30-foot sailboat.
Mike loves sharing his knowledge and passion for boats and hopes to see you soon at one of our many training events.
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Managing Power on Board: Balancing Your Energy Needs with Michael Beemer
2023-10-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
There are many new choices for generating and managing power on your boat – solar cells, fuel cells, high-output alternators and of course – a genset….. Then the question, how do I manage?
Modern cruising vessels have become very power hungry, and many operators don’t have a “Balanced electrical system’ that performs and lasts. This course is designed to help you understand how to design, check, maintain, and upgrade your system to match the requirements on your boat. The course covers three major topics, starting with the storage batteries: How to understand, monitor, size, and rely on your storage system. The second part is all about saving and managing energy onboard your vessel. We then will wrap up the discussion by providing other ways get energy: Alternator/battery chargers, solar options and controllers, fuel cells, and wind energy. After taking this course, you should be able to become ‘master’ of the energy equation onboard your cruising vessel.

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Learn from Experts: Lithium Batteries: Installations, Standards, & Options
2023-11-17 17:00 - 19:00 | Marine Technology Center, 1606 R Avenue, Anacortes, WA, 98221, United States
Lately there is a lot of talk about lithium batteries. These batteries are everywhere from electric toothbrushes, vacuums, bikes, cars and boats. The boating industry knows that boat installation can be much more complicated than a simple eBike, phone, or computer.
Upgrading to lithium batteries makes sense for many cruisers and the benefits are great. Over the past 10 years we have learned a lot about using these batteries in the marine environment. There are many things to consider when using these batteries, including a new standard put out by the American Boat & Yacht Council, E-13 Lithium Batteries. We will spend a good amount of time explaining what we have learned about these batteries, specifically about how we want to use them in the marine environment.
Topics will include ABYC standards, best practice, latest data, and how to create various systems that have proven themselves on cruising vessels.
This course will be taught with a panel of industry experts, and was put together by Michael Beemer
Michael Beemer is the department chair for Skagit Valley College’s marine maintenance and repair program. Michael has been presenting and teaching professionally for almost 20 years and holds a master’s degree in education. At the college he teaches all the systems courses, including ABYC certifications. He and his wife have cruised extensively from Anacortes to southeast Alaska for many years on their motor-sailer. In the cruising community, Michael is well known as “The Boat Doctor” who can diagnose and fix almost anything on a vessel. Some of the many topics he has done include: diesel engines, electrical systems, solar, new battery technologies, extended inside passage cruising, and more.
Michael Beemer is the department chair for Skagit Valley College’s marine maintenance and repair program. Michael has been presenting and teaching professionally for almost 20 years and holds a master’s degree in education. At the college he teaches all the systems courses, including ABYC certifications. He and his wife have cruised extensively from Anacortes to southeast Alaska for many years on their motor-sailer. In the cruising community, Michael is well known as “The Boat Doctor” who can diagnose and fix almost anything on a vessel. Some of the many topics he has done include: diesel engines, electrical systems, solar, new battery technologies, extended inside passage cruising, and more.
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