Seminar Category: Boat Show U

Knowing how to gather and understand weather information can make the difference between a pleasant day on the water and a terrifying day! Bruce Hedrick has been assisting mariners with their weather planning and decision making for years. Many of the top winning sailing teams have enlisted Bruce for their weather routing and strategies. Bruce will share with you his techniques for reaching out and gathering all of the relevant and critical weather information and then developing a picture of the weather and how it can affect your passage. He will also discuss the online tools and apps to gather weather info and their strengths and shortcomings. At the end of the day, you will be a more confident and safer mariner knowing how to interpret the weather and how it will impact your passage.

Thanks to our sponsor Boat Insurance Agency, visit their website today! www.boatinsurance.net

The ultimate Northwest boating destination; Southeast Alaska. The dream is here. You’ve arrived in Ketchikan. Now, where to go, what to expect, and how to prepare. Beyond cruising the most popular “trapline” destinations, they will present how to explore the lessor traveled destinations. Topics include: trip planning; routing alternatives; what to expect in the way of weather, wind, & seas; anchorages & moorages; wildlife expectations; hot springs; ruins & relics; boardwalk villages; water & provisions; fuel & repairs; print & online references; VHF radio issues; communications/internet access via Cell/WiFi & other methods; information on permits and cruising in Glacier Bay National Park, LeConte Glacier, and other favorite locations like: Anan Bay Bear Observatory, Elfin Cove, and Hoonah; as well as off beaten track locations like Yakutat and Point Baker. You’ll likely want more than one cruising season in Southeast Alaska for the many adventure opportunities in this glorious cruising ground. This seminar will help you make your choices and start your dream planning.

Thanks to our sponsor Boat Insurance Agency, visit their website today! www.boatinsurance.net

As many of us look to head north again this next season, join Greg and Lori on the passage through British Columbia. From the Northern Georgia Strait, Queen Charlotte Strait, to Bella Bella and the amazing waterfalls through Grenville Channel and hot springs—these are worthy destinations in and of themselves. All of the areas boast a variety of secluded anchorages, marinas, and communities to explore. Careful route planning through this area is the usual course for those taking on adventures to the more remote parts of Northern B.C. north to Alaska.

Being on the water is pure magic—especially in the Pacific Northwest! If you haven’t spent the time to explore our own backyard, this course is for you. This seminar, presented by Mark Bunzel, the editor of the Waggoner Cruising Guide, will give you planning routes and tips to make the most of your summer holiday. Topics will include unique areas and must see highlights in the Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, and the Canadian Gulf Islands; information on clearing US and Canadian Customs; books and charts; electronics/internet access; anchorages and moorages; fuel & repairs; water & provisions; cell/WiFi communications. This seminar will also launch you successfully towards cruising the Inside Passage.

Thanks to our sponsor Boat Insurance Agency, visit their website today! www.boatinsurance.net

This course covers the most common emergent and non-emergent medical scenarios that can occur aboard your recreational vessel. In addition to the safety of the vessel, the Captain and crew have the responsibility to manage the safety and wellbeing of everyone on board. With practical, hands-on instruction provided by experienced Harborview Nurses who are also live-aboard mariners, you will learn the essentials of how to respond to medical conditions that strike without warning. By the end of this course, you will have gained the knowledge and confidence to administer timely, appropriate medical aid to those in your care at the dock or underway! Topics covered include: Seasickness, Dehydration, Lacerations/Puncture wounds, Broken bones/splinting, Burns-including sunburn, Heart attack/Stroke/Seizure, Hypothermia, Bites, Allergic Reactions/Infections, 1st Aid Kit- what do I really need? What should I make sure I have?, When is the situation bad enough that I should make the call to the Coast Guard?

Thanks to our sponsor Boat Insurance Agency, visit their website today! www.boatinsurance.net

John and Amanda probably have more experience planning long passages than any cruisiing couple in the world. In addition they have prepared thousands of sailors on how to plan for long passages through their training programs presented around the world through their company, Mahina Expeditions. Whether you are cruising in a power boat or a long distance sail boat, their tips on how to prepare and how to cruise long distances are invaluable. They will include tips on how to prepare yourself and your vessel for a long distance passage. They will include checklists for use underway that will help a long and successful journey. Learn about monitoring boat conditions and maintaining a reasonable watch schedule, how to trouble-shoot and problem solve and how to meal plan and provision for a long passage. Whether you are headed up to Inside Passage to Alaska or crossing the Pacific Ocean, John and Amanda will provide you with an overview of the things you really need to know.

Thanks to our sponsor Boat Insurance Agency, visit their website today! www.boatinsurance.net

Radar is one of the most versatile systems of all of the marine electronics on your boat. Most only know how to use about 10% of the capabilities of their marine radar. The manuals that come with a radar system tell you what the buttons do, but not how to confidently use radar for both collision avoidance and navigation. In addition to learning the basics of radar operation participants will also learn: How to use your marine radar system while underway, Basic radar tuning and how to set up your system, How to interpret the screen display and how to correlate it to navigational charts, the surrounding area, and other vessels around you. With this course you will have a new appreciation and competency with the radar system on your boat.

Thanks to our sponsor Boat Insurance Agency, visit their website today! www.boatinsurance.net

A good understanding of the Tides and Currents can mean the difference between a smooth ride and a rough ride for a captain and crew. The Inside Passage has a unique water system where the tides power strong currents around the islands and in many of the key passes. In this session, we will begin with an understanding of how the lunar cycles create water movement and the various stages of the tidal cycles – in short, the conditions for slack can mean different things based on the lunar cycle, the winds and even the geography. The course will explore the many gates that are keys points in travel and understand the key concepts of vertical movement (tides) and horizontal movement (current) of water. Understanding local knowledge and the resources available to plot times of slack and understanding the tidal range and current speed in a given day and hour are emphasized. Next, the impact of wind is reviewed. Wind against wave can lead to ugly and uncomfortable seas. A brief understanding of the weather reports will allow you to avoid uncomfortable seas, where waiting an hour or two can make all the difference and a comfortable sea state for safe passage.

Thanks to our sponsor Boat Insurance Agency, visit their website today! www.boatinsurance.net

Many modern vessels use diesel propulsion engines for good reasons, they are reliable and efficient. 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. Matt Mardesich job is to teach new technicians how to maintain this engines and will be sharing what every boat operator should know about engine maintenance. Using the Marine Tech Centers diesel engine lab, the course will have video details to show you how to keep your engine in great shape and be ready for the next cruising season.

Thanks to our sponsor Boat Insurance Agency, visit their website today! www.boatinsurance.net

Electrical systems are the number one cause of problems on boats that have more than rudimentary electrical system. In this session Nigel will cover a number of common issues and will explore testing that will enable a boatowner equipped with a multimeter to track down most problems. He will describe simple techniques which have worked well for him over the years. The focus is on quick and easy, non-invasive, tests that can rapidly narrow down and identify problem areas. He will include specific examples of the test procedures. No previous experience is required although a basic understanding of simple electrical circuits will be helpful!

Thanks to our sponsor Boat Insurance Agency, visit their website today! www.boatinsurance.net