EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES

This year we have a wide variety of educational experiences that will not only educate but maybe spark a new interest. All experiences happening at 400 Harbor Dr, except Fiberglass Repair happening at the Spaulding Center.

Friday Sept. 19th from 12 - 1pm

Boat Ownership as a Business

Do you want to own a new sail or powerboat? Do you lack the time to maintain the boat yourself? Everyone knows that boats can be time consuming and expensive. In this seminar by Stephanie LaChance from Club Nautique you will learn how you can use charter income and tax savings to pay for your new boat.

Friday Sept. 19th from 2 - 3pm

Cruising to Mexico

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to set sail for sunny Mexico? Bay Area residents, Laura and Rich Brazil didn’t just dream it, they lived it. Join us as they relive stories, share photos and answer questions about their five-year commuter-cruising adventure.

Friday Sept. 19th from 4 - 5pm

Diesel Engine Maintenance

Charlie Meyer is a Volva Penta certified technician with a strong mechanical background from both the racing industry and his military service, where he specialized in diesel generators. Over the past four years at Helmut's Marine Service, Charlie has quickly proven his expertise in marine engines, becoming an essential member of the seminar, Charlie will present on Diesel engines, exploring their functions, essential maintenance needs, and sharing tips to ensure worry-free boating experiences.

Sat Sept. 20th from 10:30 - 11:30am

Outboard Service, Maintenance, and Engine Integration

Shane McCormack of H&M Marine leads a focused session on outboard service and preventative maintenance, with practical guidance on keeping your engine reliable and efficient. The seminar also covers how today’s engines integrate with onboard electronics and safety systems, giving boaters the knowledge to troubleshoot issues, optimize performance, and ensure safer operation on the water.

Sat Sept. 20th & Sun Sept. 21st from 11am - 12:30pm

Fix it Right: Fiberglass Basics for Boat Owners

This hands-on workshop is hosted at Spaulding Marine Center, just a short stroll from the show docks. Join our newest marine service tech and Boatworks 101 alumni, Tim Reed in our working boatyard for Fix it RIght: Fiberglass Basics for Boat Owners. This is a hands-on introduction to core techniques and materials used in fiberglass work. Topics include fiberglass cloth types and their uses, epoxy selection and mixing, surface prep, and application techniques. Whether you're a DIY boat owner dealing with soft decks or dings, this is a chance to learn the processes the professionals use in a real boatyard.

Sat Sept. 20th from 12:30 - 1:30pm

Safe Rigging Saves Money

Learn from seasoned rigging professional Tom Relyea from South Beach Rigging's practical techniques to inspect, maintain, and adjust your sailboat’s rigging to prevent costly failures and extend equipment life. Attendees can extend their education about common wear points, tensioning, and safety best practices, helping sailors protect both their investment and their time on the water.

Brady, Ryan, Heather, Blue from Cruiser's Academy

Sat Sept. 20th from 2:30 - 3:30pm

Cruising Essentials and Weather Wisdom

Join Brady Tratuman, and Ryan Noble from Cruisers Academy for an in-depth cruising seminar covering cruising best practices, essential tools and supplies to carry, and the latest communications equipment. Learn vital safety-at-sea protocols, watch procedures, and rigging tips, along with navigation and electronics know-how. We’ll share provisioning best practices, strategies for maintaining healthy crew dynamics, and a light introduction to cruising in the Sea of Cortez. You’ll also gain insights into modern weather tools and the cruising mindset needed for a successful voyage.

Sat Sept. 20th from 4:30 - 5:30pm

Marine Navigation & Training

This marine navigation seminar will review the latest and greats in boating aps such as Navionics, Marine traffic, Storm radar, Compass, Windy, Barometer and Weather underground. Attendees shoudl have them downloaded prior to the seminar for hte best experience. Open to cover general boating questions towards the end. Ben has operated in the capacity as Captain on vessels from 151 feet and down. He is a lifelong boat on sail, power, fishing, passenger vessels and tugs, in addition to rescue, film work, training private and govt. agencies ranging from CHP to fire fighters. He is also a marine technician specializing in marine systems. He owns a Jeanneau 52 which he maintains and operates with his wife and kids.