Learn how to “read the water” in a new tropical cruising area and how to judge depth and safety by the color of the water. What do you need to know when there are no aids to navigation, should you trust your chart? Get answers to questions on topics that every boater should be aware of.

Whether you’re buying new or used, there are many points to consider when purchasing a trawler. Learn from an experienced industry professional the key factors in making an informed buying decision. What will it cost to buy AND operate a trawler? What should you know before you walk onto the sales floor or dock to help you find the ideal boat? What is involved in the purchase process, the responsibilities of the buyer and seller, and what is the closing process? Jeff Merrill is a sales associate for Nordhavn Yachts who handles onboard training for new owners and is a longtime boater who has cruised on a variety of sailboats and trawlers across the United States and offshore. He will present a general overview intended to help you narrow your focus on buying the right trawler. He’ll also provide suggestions for other resources you can pursue on your own.

The cruising lifestyle is all about pleasure cruising, which means being comfortable on your boat while under way. A popular option for achieving a smooth cruise is to have active fin stabilizers as part of your on board systems. With Eric Folkestad of Arcturus Marine, you will learn why roll stabilization is important, how a stabilizer system is designed, and how it can be used. Learn the importance of how fins are sized and where the best placement is on your vessel. You will also come away with valuable knowledge about system hydraulics, controls, and maintenance and information to improve your ride.

You’ve got the boat, you’ve got the desire, now where do you want to go, when, for how long? A cruiser’s “library” includes charts, guides, official publications, other peoples’ narratives, a host of other book-type items that can keep you out of trouble and entice you into otherwise unknown anchorages. Assuming you don’t plan to leave this weekend, there’s a logical way to build that library so that you end up with all the critical information, in the most useful format, and with the most up-to-date sources available. Ann Kinner has been helping cruisers with this critical part of voyage planning for over a decade. Owner of Seabreeze Books and Charts since 2004, she can tell you which books to buy when, which charts really fit your trip, what other necessities might pop up that you don’t have on your list of stores, parts, and provisions. You’ll leave this session with a real-world example for a real-world budget to take a dream-world voyage!

Your dinghy is more than just a little boat, it’s another entire system! Learn about different launching methods and what to watch out for to keep things safe. Find out what’s required by the Coast Guard and get up-to-the-minute tips on what is helpful to have aboard. Learn how to handle your tender with confidence so you can enjoy all the fun of going ashore, exploring areas too shallow for your trawler, and meeting your cruising neighbors in anchorages and harbors.

Ever wonder just how that big red fire extinguisher tucked away in your engine room works, or if it will work when it's most needed? If you have, then this seminar is the place for answers to this and other questions of the fire extinguishing system nature. Steve D'Antonio, PMM’s technical editor, will share with you myriad details involved in selecting, installing, and using fixed or engine room fire extinguishing systems. From choosing the right type of extinguishing agent to making certain the one you have is properly sized for the volume of the space it's protecting (many are undersized) this is information guaranteed to make your engine room a safe place. Steve will also discuss interconnection of these systems with engines, generators, and ventilation systems. Fire fighting techniques will also be discussed.

On most cruising boats, there is no doctor. Even in home waters, getting outside professional medical assistance or direct intervention on a timely basis may not be possible. This seminar addresses an overview of the sources of medical information, equipment, and resources available to passagemakers. Denny Emory is co-founder of OceanMedix.com, a licensed yacht captain, and formerly certified Wilderness-EMT. He has voyaged more that 100,000 nautical miles on both sail and power vessels, visiting 41 countries on five continents. His experience as a cruiser and provider of medical equipment for cruisers allows him to share with you a variety of topics that will make you a confident and self-sufficient cruiser prepared for almost any emergency. He will cover: medical and first aid kits; first aid, medical manuals, and other references; medical equipment and supplies; prescription medications; over-the-counter medical supplies; crew training and experience; communication; 24/7 telemed support; and, personal medical responsibilities.

Seminar description coming soon!

Find out who needs a captain license, how to get one, what you will learn. and how to document your underway time. Get all your questions answered in this informative seminar.

Whether you’re off to discover the San Juans, or Cabo, or someplace closer to home like Dana Point, using your boat is what matters most. If you’re simply looking to cruise more often or considering living aboard, there are some basics of this lifestyle to put in place. Bruce Kessler, who circumnavigated the world in his trawler Zopilote, is an active cruising enthusiast who has spent over the last 10 years cruising both coasts and will talk you through not just the concepts of cruising but also the basics of getting to know your boat and how to prepare for casting off. You will want to consider where you’re headed, get to know the weather for that area, determine a loose schedule and route to follow, and be prepared for different moorings, docks and anchorages. He will instill in you the understanding that with the proper education and preparation, it’s not the length of the voyage, it’s the voyage itself that counts.

Whether you have a Lehman Ford engine, Perkins, John Deere, Cummins, or Yanmar, the power supply of your boat is the most critical piece of equipment on board. If you have questions about parts, service, maintenance, or why it makes a certain sound, Bob Smith, developer of the Lehman Ford, can help. He will share his years of hands-on experience and expertise in a relaxed and conversational way. This is a practical session, so bring your questions and learn the answers.

Seminar description coming soon!

-What can I power with Hydraulics? (Thrusters, Deck Crane, Emergency Bilge Pump, Windlass, etc) -Basic Hydraulic System Design -Selecting a Hydraulic Pump -Reducing Noise -Controls -Cooling my Hydraulic System -Periodic Maintenance -Essential Spare Parts -Trouble Shooting -Questions

What does a true sea trial include? For Tony Fleming, it is three years of a shakedown cruise on his Fleming 65 covering nearly 16,500 nautical miles. Not only is hull #1 of the 65 his test bed for new equipment and ideas, but also his means of expanding his own cruising experiences with the boats that his company designs and builds. Join Tony’s adventure beginning in Vancouver, British Columbia, through his videos, photos, and presentation that will virtually take you from Vancouver to Alaska, from California to the Sea of Cortez, through the Panama Canal and on to Florida. He will discuss what to look for on the ultimate sea trial, what he’s learned, the highlights of his extended cruising experiences, and how to make the most of any cruising grounds. Bring your questions and join the adventure.

Steve and Linda Dashew share their experiences cruising all over the world while discussing general cruising preparation as well as if you plan to go off the beaten path. They will share their cruising knowledge and discuss weather forecasting, watch keeping routine, weather routing, heavy weather issues, and how this can all be done with just two people aboard.

If you have ever considered “crossing the border” and venturing into Mexico’s tropical waters, then this seminar will equip you with local-knowledge tools for plotting your safest and most enjoyable course among Mexico’s pristine cruising grounds, resort ports and dream destinations. Capt. Pat Rains will help you identify a realistic itinerary based on the best seasonal routes and the newest services available for the power-cruising community. She is a frequent cruiser to Mexico and writes nautical guidebooks of the area. You will also gain an understanding of the latest security and communications issues faced by yacht cruising south of the border, so you can prepare with confidence and follow the best practices for voyaging safely in Mexican waters.

It is easy to spend large sums of money on the "latest" in safety equipment and think that the mere possession of these "gadgets will make you safe. By performing a Risk Assessment Study of your vessel, you will discover the accidents that could be "just waiting to happen". This seminar presented by Capt. Henry Marx of Landfall Navigation, aims to provide insight into the thought process that will ensure a higher degree of safety on your vessel - and which frequently does not involve spending large sums of money on exotic equipment. Thereby leaving your budget with more money for "the fun stuff". Equally applicable to static live boards, coastal cruisers, and offshore sailors, this Risk Assessment System was devised by the British Sea Fish Organization to try and eliminate accidents in what is probably the most hazardous profession in the world. Regardless of your cruising status, this practice session and handouts will provide you with some valuable tips on how to make you vessel safer and your experiences more enjoyable.