SCHEDULE
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DETAILED CLASS DESCRIPTION
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Session 1
Friday 7:30-9:00pm
Glacier Island: The Beauty of South Georgia
Beth Leonard
Join Beth Leonard for a voyage south of the Antarctic Convergence into the ice-strewn waters of South Georgia Island. Share with her the challenges of anchoring in storm-force winds and hurricane-strength williwaws, of navigating through bergy bits and growlers, of enduring blizzards and ice-cold water. Meet the island's inhabitants: elegant king penguins, comical elephant seals, aggressive sea lions, majestic albatrosses, and the dedicated researchers who spend months at a time studying these endangered species. Witness the breathtaking beauty of the dramatic scenery, and come to appreciate both the challenges and rewards of sailing to a still-wild place to experience firsthand nature's abundance and splendor, savagery and indifference.
Session 2
Saturday 8:30 am
Improving Reliability Through Enhanced Attention to Detail
Steve D'Antonio
In this photo-intensive, interactive seminar Systems Consultant and technical journalist Steve D'Antonio will afford attendees a behind the scenes view of what the marine industry all too frequently misses in boat building and repair. He'll review a wide range of components and systems, big and small, that are found aboard most cruising vessels and the little things that if paid attention to make them safer, seaworthy, reliable and more economical to operate. After attending this presentation you'll be able to carry out an inspection aboard your own vessel, or one you intend to buy, to make sure it meets Steve's standard.
Night Navigation
Nancy Erley
A technically rich presentation covering night vision, navigation aids and lights on shore, vessel identification, collision avoidance at night, radar, night time deck safety protocols, watch scheduling and more.
Principles of Docking
Carolyn "Ace" Spragg
A detailed look at docking, from basic physics through more advanced techniques using spring lines. We will dissect various docking scenarios and mistakes we'd like to avoid in the future. Bring your questions and examples of difficult docking situations, and we will discuss them as a class.
Sailing Upwind - Hands-On Clinic
Carol Hasse
Hands-on clinic in the Boat Shop! Upwind sailing: trim tools and settings to maximize performance sailing.
Inside Passage Trip Planning
Joe Trailer
Captain Trailer has found that a well developed trip plan is invaluable for safety, while allowing mariners the widest range of experiences the area has to offer. Joe will discuss: boat preparation/safety equipment, navigational equipment and aids, navigation publications/charts, communication equipment, customs clearance,cruising plans, and destinations.
How to Care for Your Canvas
Inger Rankins
Learn how to make your investment in canvas and marine windows last for years to come.
First Aid Checklist
Jordan Pollack
Trying to determine what to carry at sea for medical supplies? Join this interactive session to learn about the first aid equipment and supplies necessary for various situations when at sea. Medical kits will be available for sale for those interested. Please feel free to bring yours for review by the instructor.
Session 3
10:00 Saturday
Evolution of the Cruising Boat:
Robert Perry
Famed yacht designer Robert Perry shares his experience on the evolution of the cruising boat.
Equipping For Offshore Voyaging
Chuck Hawley
While the Coast Guards requirements are relatively limited, the offshore cruiser has more need for safety equipment. We will look at the products available, discuss which ones make a difference, and really count, and we will look at how to prioritize for the cruising budget.
Innovative Heat Systems
Chris Brignoli
Learn about innovative solutions for heating your boat, making it warm, comfortable, and dry year round even in one of the world's wettest and coldest cruising grounds. Learn how to choose the right system type and size for your boat. Discover design solutions for efficient, balanced heat systems that won't waste fuel or electricity: solutions that use waste engine heat, shore power, and direct fired fuel. Chris will describe solutions ranging from elegantly simple to lavishly opulent. But even towel warmers, underfloor heating, and unlimited hot water showers sound can be within reach of the average boater.
Introduction to Celestial Navigation: the sextant in navigation and the mechanics of the noon shot
Jeff Sanders
Capt. Sanders of U.S. Maritime Academy will discuss the theory, fundamentals and simplicity of finding your position at noon using sun, sextant & sightings.
Beyond the Bay: A Clinic for Women
Pam LaNua
Knowledge gives you courage! What does it take to go from daysailing to planning and experiencing an overnight trip? Prepare yourself and your boat for safety, sailing skills, engine basics local water and weather conditions, route and departure plans, navigation and rules. Mooring and anchoring, comfort and meal plans.
Marine Weather Observations
Matt Thompson
Where marine weather information comes from.. From ships, buoys, and cman stations. The different resources available for weather to use in decision making.
The Downwind Leg - Hands-On Clinic
Carol Hasse
Sailing Downwind. Hands on clinic in the Boat Shop! Including use of a whisker pole and asymmetrical spinnaker.
Session 4
1:45 Saturday
Rigging: The Flow of Forces
Brion Toss
In this seminar Brion will demonstrate vessel stability, and how it interacts with the rig, generating the forces that make the boat move. He'll then break down how those forces are distributed throughout the rig, and how that affects gear selection, installation, and use.
Advanced Anchoring: Strategies for Tricky Situations
Nancy Erley
After a short refresher on anchoring basics the presentation will focus on strategies for tricky situations, crowded anchorages and severe weather including using multiple anchors and ways to get a fouled anchor unstuck. Nancy anchored over a thousand times in her two circumnavigations and speaks from a wealth of personal mishap and recovery.
Preparing for the Unexpected
Don Stabbert
Don and Sharry share their wealth of experience in how to be prepared for the unexpected. Some of the topics they will cover include: Seamanship: Tying up for a blow, towing and being towed, Anchoring: emergency anchoring, dumping the main anchor. Dragging and avoiding other draggers. Mechanical: engine stops when needed the most...now what? Spare parts and tools. Preparing for the long voyage. Fuel management. Electrical: Tools and spares. Navigation. Paper vs. ECS, rules of the road.
Open Discussion on Yacht Design
Robert Perry
Famed yacht designer Robert Perry shares his experience in an open conversation about yacht design.
Basic Systems Clinic for Women
Pam Navis
Gain confidence with your boat's systems in this open-forum clinic. Types of hulls, propulsion, tanks, plumbing, pumps, heating/refrigeration, electrical and electronic essentials.
Adventures in Provisioning
Barbara Marrett
Provisioning can be a fun adventure. Barbara will share her enthusiasm for provisioning whether cruising Puget Sound or passage-making. Her shortcuts and planning guides will help make provisioning easier for you. Find out; what fruits and vegetables last the longest, what staples to take, what to leave home. Learn how to efficiently stow and preserve foods, plan interesting and adventurous menus Wonderful slides and stories from three decades of sailing the Pacific and beyond. Marrett has provisioned boats for crews of 2 to 13 people, for weeks to months of local and remote cruising.
Bring Them Back Alive!
Chuck Hawley and Carol Hasse
Hands on Clinic! One of the greatest fears of couples cruising offshore is the possibility that one of them will fall overboard, and the remaining crewmember will need to recover them. Many techniques sound good, but prove to be inconsistent, or based on theories that just don’t work in the real world. Join Chuck Hawley as he reviews the changing techniques that sailors have used over time leading to the development and widespread use of the Lifesling. Cruising with a full boat? Chuck will address both singlehanded and fully crewed recoveries.
Session 5
Saturday 3:15
Local and Offshore Communications
Panel: Chuck Hawley, Jeff Sanders and Roger Slade
Why do we use specific methods for safety communications? Cellular Versus VHF, What to do when you get out of VHF Range, what are your best communication options for offshore?
Advanced Composites
Dan Newland
Advanced composites in state-of-the-art yacht construction.
Current composite and advanced composite boat construction, history, their definitions, materials and processes.
Sailors' Splicing Clinic
Lisa Vizzini
Mystified by splicing? Learn more at this hands-on splicing clinic. Some tools required. Topics include how to identify the correct splice for a particular line type, end finishes, splicing class 1 & 2 double braid & 12-strand Dyneema.
Basic Systems Clinic for Women Part 2
Pam Navis
A continuation of the Basic Systems Clinic. Further your understanding of your boat's systems with hands-on learning Gain confidence with your boat's systems in this open-forum clinic. Types of hulls, propulsion, tanks, plumbing, pumps, heating/refrigeration, electrical and electronic essentials.
Winch Cleaning and Maintenance
Anders Kulin
Demonstration on how to disassemble, clean, grease and re-assemble a winch. Save yourself frustration and maintenance bills by learning this simple and essential cruising maintenance skill.
Ocean Cruising for Pennies Per Mile
Capt'n Fatty Goodlander
Money has little to do with enjoyment afloat, and often little to do with safety as well. Cheaper boats can be, and often are, more seaworthy than their expensive counterparts. How to save money, what not to buy. Earning as you go. The disadvantages of being well financed. Being in the moment.
Session 6
Saturday 7:30-9:00pm
Chasing the Horizon: The Life and Times of a Modern Sea Gypsy
Capt'n Fatty Goodlander
Cap'n Fatty's entire life has been spent upon the sea, with only brief sojourns ashore (when two boats sank out from under him). He is always either at sea or preparing to go to sea. He has rebuilt a number of modest vessels and even built an Endurance 36 ketch from scratch at 19 years of age. He has sailed around the world twice... with the same woman who came aboard to sew up his yacht's curtains at 16 years of age... while raising their daughter Roma Orion aboard. This is a life story (and love story) of great passion... passion for the sea, for sailing, for cruising, for traveling, for writing, for his wife and child, and... most of all... a story about his fierce, burning passion for personal freedom. He is also the author of numerous marine books and currently the Editor-at-Large of Cruising World magazine.
Session 7
Sunday 9:00-10:15 am
Achieving Electrical Independence
Steve D'Antonio
How to design and maintain an electrical and charging system that will enable sailing and power vessels to cast off their shore power cord? In this photo-intensive presentation technical journalist and marine systems consultant Steve D'Antonio will dispel common misunderstandings and myths about marine charging and electrical systems, while detailing a systematic approach to achieving energy independence. An emphasis will be placed on robust installations that offer users the greatest reliability, safety, value and practicality. The presentation will include details on alternator selection, AC chargers, battery types and installations, and relevant American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) recommendations. This is an interactive session, questions are encouraged.
Living the Dream One Step at a Time
Don Stabbert
This is the story of how anyone can cruise to the level of THEIR dream by taking it "one step at a time." Don and Sharry will share there story how as a couple they reached their current love of cruising and long voyages. From the early days when Sharry was afraid of the water, afraid to cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca to being passionate about cruising. It didn't happen by accident, it didn't start out that way. They took baby steps. From short trips up the PNW coast to cruising to Japan. Starting in "baby" boats and growing into "momma size" boats and finally a "papa size" boat that crossed oceans.
A Captain's Leadership Toolkit
Nancy Erley
Captain Kirk or Captain Bligh: Effective Captaincy for the 21st Century. A Captain's Leadership Toolkit - Traditional rules of hierarchy don't apply today so what works instead? Operational excellence is not enough and never has been. How do we balance relationships with accomplishing the objectives of the voyage? Learn to use leadership intelligence to manage conflict. In addition to captaining two 5-year circumnavigations, Nancy brings insights gained as an adjunct professor for Denver University's Executive MBA leadership development program.
Tides and Currents of the Salish Sea
Carolyn "Ace" Spragg
How to take advantage of the tides and currents to get there faster. Using Washburn's Tables, Ports and Passages and other reference materials to make your trip easier and safer.
Boater Fire Safety
Jordan Pollack
Talk with a career fire fighter about how to minimize risk of fire onboard and about essential materials and tools to have onboard. Discussion will be followed by a hands-on practicum where participants will practice fire extinguisher skills on an actual fire.
Using New Technology for Navigation and Cruising
Mark Bunzel
During the last two years there have been amazing advances in new technology for smart phones and pads with many new apps for use on a boat. Waggoner Cruising Guide Editor, Mark Bunzel, will demonstrate and show the full range of low-cost apps now available for cruise planning and navigation. He will show the differences from one app to another and how you can choose the right apps for your use. He will also show how your entire boat can be networked to a pad to allow you to view critical engine and navigation data from anywhere on your boat. New NMEA bluetooth and wi-fi bridges can even allow you control your autopilot and steer your boat directly from your iPad or smartphone
Session 8
Sunday 10:30-12:00pm
Panel: Jury Rigging: If it IS broke, you can fix it!
Moderated by Chuck Hawley, the panel consists of Steve D'Antonio, Brion Toss, Don Stabbert, and Chris Brignoli.
Jury Rigging: makeshift repairs or temporary contrivances, made with only the tools and materials that happen to be on hand.
Let's face it. Boats and systems fail-usually in the most inopportune place and time. All too often, the failure is of the one part you didn't think to bring a spare for. So what do you do? You improvise.
Speaking from their own experience, the panel will recount failures, hull damage, loss of steering, broken boom, broken shroud, lost halyard, dismasting, loss of electrical power, loss of propulsion and the strategies used to overcome (or that failed to overcome) the challenge. What spare parts really are essential in the typical cruising sail or power boat? What unique tools and materials should you keep aboard to deal with the unexpected.
The audience will be invited to share their own experiences or try to stump this panel of experts.
