Get to know your fellow lady cruisers at this informal roundtable discussion. Patti and Carol will moderate the discussion and encourage your input on a variety of cruising topics. Bring your questions and stories, and get ready to get acquainted, share ideas, fears, and experiences, and enjoy the social aspects of cruising.

Two brand new “families” of satellite communications equipment have just come to the maritime market. Each new model and type dramatically improve both the data capabilities and air time costs associated with the use of this sort of equipment. Find out which new Sat-Comm and service combination will best address your needs. Steve Delany of Offshore Connections Inc. in Palm Beach is a 25 year veteran of the marine industry with nearly 15 years specifically in custom navigation and communications electronics outfitting. He will give an overview of the capabilities of satellite communications equipment that may even be less than a year old and contrast that with the dramatic improvements in capabilities & service that have just been made available to us all. Questions will be encouraged so that everyone can benefit from this technology update.

This interactive demonstration will show you how to properly deploy a liferaft as well as other safety essentials such as how to wear, inflate, and repack life jackets, and throw MOB recovery devices.

Ever wonder how to make artwork stay put while cruising? Or are you curious about the best all-purpose galley utensil? Bring your favorite on board item, whether its from your galley, engine room, flybridge, or dinghy, and share with fellow cruisers the item that’s most enhanced your cruising experience. This is an ideal opportunity to get to know each other and find out about some unique gadgets that we’re sure you have on board! If you know the company and contact information for your gadget, be sure to bring that as well.

Today’s boater is a sophisticated and informed consumer. Before purchasing a large discretionary product such as a boat or major marine accessory, boaters now do their homework. They are interested in quality, safety, durability, and customer service. As the owner of a high-value recreational product, you must expect and demand only the highest post-purchase service. The safe maintenance and repair of your boat and its accessories are paramount to having an enjoyable boating experience.

Skip Burdon, president of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) will discuss these topics in the context of the industry’s safe boating standards and technical workforce training, education, and certification as you become introduced to the ABC’s of ABYC.

If you’ve not had the chance to enjoy a relaxing yoga session or if you you’re your regular fix, this one hour session will help you focus on the core practices of yoga. You will practice some Asana (physical postures) that you can practice directly on your boat, and also practice breathwork (pranayama) that will allow you to stay calm during a rough boating experience. If you have your own yoga mat or towel, please bring it with you to this session.

A typical yacht in the fifty to sixty foot range may require a dozen or more oil types and grades for engines, marine gears, hydraulic systems, steering systems, and gear systems. EP90, 15W-40, ISO Grade 32, API Class CI-4, and many others can leave the owner/operator confused when determining the proper lubricants for their equipment. This workshop will demystify oil types, grades, and classifications using specific marine equipment examples. It will provide recommendations for determining an onboard (spare) inventory of oils for your type of cruising, as well as provide recommendations for the purchasing and care of lubricants.

We know storage space can sometimes be limited and we also know that many of you are headed off to new cruising grounds. If you’ve got books you want to trade or cruise guides you’d like to swap, bring your reading materials to this friendly cruiser guide and book swap and see what you can change out on your shelves.