Schedule:
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
9 am - 11 am: Navigation & Boating with Electronics - $65.00
Bob Sweet
Electronics have vastly improved boating. This seminar provides an overview of the electronic devices available to you to help you select, install, and use them. Unfortunately, available manufacturers’ data and manuals are often lacking and confusing. We’ll help unravel the mysteries and make it easier for you to use these tools to your advantage.
Some devices such as chartplotters, radar and sounders need to be compatible models from the same manufacturer in order to work together. Other electronics can be from any manufacturer. This seminar in not brand-specific. We’ll give you some guidelines for making selections that will work for you. We’ll talk about what’s new and what you should consider if you choose to add gear on your boat.
We’ll also provide important tips and tricks for using these devices. Manufacturers compete with each other to offer more “features.” However, while they might make nice screen candy, they may or may not be useful. You have a lot to do as skipper, monitoring your electronics should help you, not demand your attention.
Today’s electronics make extensive use of virtual buttons, and functions are buried in a menu system which may not be intuitive. Most boaters really need a limited set of functions, and want to learn how to quickly access them when needed. We’ll talk about setting up the main display for charting and radar.
This will a good chance to share experiences and ask questions to help focus you use of your electronics, and make you a more informed buyer when selecting and having electronics installed on your boat, and when setting them up for use.
11:30 am – 1:30 pm: Heading Offshore with Jeff Merrill, CPYB - $65.00
The view doesn’t change much tied up at your slip. Isn’t it time to see more by cruising your trawler offshore? Before you uncleat, there are some things to consider. This course is designed to help you learn what to expect, and/or give you a refresher on cruising the deep blue. Jeff Merrill has been a TrawlerFest presenter for over twenty years. As a veteran trawler yacht broker, he has enjoyed spending time aboard with many of his clients after the purchase and, as a result, has amassed an informative and entertaining collection of photos, ideas, lessons and stories to share on the topic of heading offshore. Jeff will touch on safety, planning, weather, navigation, pilothouse operations, engine room checks and more.
2 pm – 4 pm: Avoiding Collisions using Radar, AIS, & You - $65.00
Bob Sweet
Avoiding collisions forms the basis for the navigation rules, but we worry about whether other boaters know the rules or even follow them. Collisions are not limited to just other boats as you can potentially strike a fixed object, This puts you in a somewhat defensive posture, but there are tools to help you stay safe.
- We explain those tools and how best to use them. You need a lookout. Your eyes are your first line of defense, First, we explain the navigation rules in a way that makes them easy to understand and follow. What do you do when someone is not responding as you expect? A few key strategies will give you the best advantage in an interaction with other boats.
- Electronics can help significantly, but they must do so with minimal interruption to your primary tasks of lookout and operating the boat. The two best electronic tools for the job are radar and AIS. We explain how to use them effectively.
- Radar is an essential tool in keeping tabs on other boats and obstacles. Radar forms your electronic eyes around the boat, above the water. Many cruisers have radar, but do you really know how to use it to your best advantage? We’ll explain. You need to understand what you are seeing on the radar screen and how to deal with dynamic situations. Some radar designs and tools are best for the job, we’ll explain.
- The one radar deficiency is positively identifying a target. You may see an object, but do you know what/who it is? That’s where AIS comes in. For those vessels, navigation aids, and services that transmit AIS signals, you have a definitive resource to help you communicate, and/or avoid problems and predict what you should do. AIS is evolving, both in equipment and uses as an essential device to have aboard. The most common transceivers available for boaters, Class B, has changed, you need to know how to deal with the older and newer versions. At a minimum, you should have an AIS receiver to view other boats and resources. All of this will be explained.
3 - 5 pm: Understanding Marine Systems: Propane/Fire Suppression/Water-makers - $65.00
Mike Beemer
Most modern cruising vessels will have many systems aboard requiring inspection, care, and maintenance. Spend some time with ABYC Master Technician and systems instructor Michael Beemer who isn’t selling anything and will answer your questions from his 25+ years cruising in our area. Whether you are upgrading or wanting to inspect and test your existing systems, this course will allow you to understand industry best practices and ABYC standards to make sure that your vessel is safe and reliable. Water-making systems are becoming very popular on modern cruising vessel, so we’ll spend some time understanding the theory, operation, considerations, options, and installations for these systems.
