Workshops

Learn from renowned experts

Learn from the best during our special workshops at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival! Renowned boat systems expert Nigel Calder, acclaimed for his bestselling books including “Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual,” returns to the Festival each year to give his invaluable seminars on marine diesel engines and boat electrical systems.

DIY Diesel Engine Maintenance

Thursday 9/4, 8 AM–11 AM | $60

This two-part class will first dive into the heart of diesel engine fundamentals, focusing on core maintenance tasks that can be undertaken by every boatowner (and some that should not be attempted), followed by a detailed description of essential troubleshooting skills and techniques, including with a multimeter.

The two diesel engine workshops on Thursday are designed to be complementary, but also to stand alone for those who cannot attend both.

My Diesel Engine is Acting Up: What May be Wrong, and Can I Fix It?

Thursday 9/4, 12 PM–3 PM | $60

The answer, commonly, is: ‘Yes’. But this requires an understanding of the operating principles of a diesel engine together with a familiarity with the core systems that keep the engine functional. Armed with this knowledge, it is possible to determine the likely causes of most common operating problems, other than those related to electricity; troubleshooting these requires the ability to conduct simple multimeter tests. Nigel will cover all these topics focusing on the most commonly experienced diesel engine problems, including overheating, a failure to develop full power, exhaust smoke of various colors, rough running, vibration, and a failure to crank or to fire when cranking. Over the years, Nigel has received thanks from numerous people he has enabled to get up and running in the boonies. This seminar will help you do the same. While familiarity with engine components and participation in the morning class will be beneficial, this is not a necessity.

The two diesel engine workshops on Thursday are designed to be complementary, but also to stand alone for those who cannot attend both.

Commonly Seen Electrical Installation Mistakes on Boats and How to Fix Them

Friday 9/5, 8 AM–11 AM | $60

The number one source of problems on boats large enough to have an electrical system, both power and sail, lies in these electrical systems. Most problems can be traced to inadequate design and/or poor installation. Unfortunately, many commonly seen installation mistakes come directly from boatbuilders and equipment installers. Others are added by boatowners with inadequate electrical knowledge. A number are potentially unsafe. Nigel Calder (author of the best-selling ‘Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual’ and co-founder of www.BoatHowTo.com) has seen them all. You almost certainly have some on your boat! Nigel identifies these issues and explains how to fix them. You will leave class with a far better understanding of your electrical system and knowing how to ensure a more reliable and safer system than you currently have. No previous experience is required.

The two electrical workshops on Friday are designed to be complementary, but also to stand alone for those who cannot attend both.

Practical Electrical Systems Troubleshooting for Boaters

Friday 9/5, 12 PM–3 PM | $60

Nigel Calder outlines step-by-step troubleshooting techniques that can be safely conducted by any boat owner, including using a multimeter. The class is designed for the inexperienced (no prior knowledge is required), although it will be challenging for some; familiarity with volts, amps, and ohms will make the learning experience easier. The immediate goal is to enable participants to head off premature battery and systems failures, and to perform simple troubleshooting techniques that will rapidly identify the majority of electrical problems seen on boats. The over-arching goal is to raise the confidence levels of boat owners given today’s increasingly electrically-loaded and complicated boats. You will likely save the price of admission by not having to make service calls.

The two electrical workshops on Friday are designed to be complementary, but also to stand alone for those who cannot attend both.