Spend the morning with Michael Beemer, the Skagit Valley College marine electronics instructor, learning about marine electronics. You will get an introduction to National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) installation standards, how to test new and current equipment, and common mistakes to avoid. Topics covered will include NMEA 0183 / NMEA 2000 / NMEA One-Net Data protocol, […]

Instructor: Terry Sparks Description High Frequency Single Side band (HF SSB)is an excellent tool for anyone heading out of the United States or especially for off shore cruising. With HF SSB you can make long range radio calls, make marine phone calls, send and receive emails, get weather faxes, obtain Grib files, and even obtain […]

Cruisers College will take you through the ins and outs of a boat’s electrical systems. There is plenty of information every boat owner should know about these critical systems, whether they are doing improvements themselves, paying a professional for upgrades, or simply trying to understand the system on your boat and “Keep it Alive”. Sample […]

Instructor: Andy Schwenk Every sailor can learn new tips and techniques like reducing friction, ways to ascend the rig, backstay adjusters, top down furling for spinnaker, preventers, offshore gear from drifters to trysails, carbon and synthetic rigging, and trends in gear. This course will cover everything from: mast bases, goosenecks, spreaders, lighting, chainplates, furlers (main, […]

Cruisers college will help you better understand your vessel's electrical systems. There is plenty of information every boat owner should know about these critical systems, whether they are doing routine inspections, battery monitoring, or simply trying to understand the system on your boat and “Keep it Alive”. Sample list of topics covered: How an electrical […]

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 […]

Vancouver Island offers fantastic cruising with a wide variety of scenery, anchorages, and activities. While circumnavigating the entire Island is satisfying, it’s not necessary to enjoy the “best half” of West Vancouver Island. You can enjoy a fun and exciting trip, out and back, within easy reach of metropolitan Vancouver, Victoria, or Seattle. Taking advantage […]

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 […]

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 […]

The area between Nanaimo and the northern tip of Vancouver Island is a large and amazing area that includes two major cruising destinations: Desolation Sound and “The Broughtons”. In addition, Northern Georgia Strait, the Discovery Islands, and Queen Charlotte Strait are also worthy destinations in and of themselves, and with some effort, can reward the […]