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.

Know Your Engine: DIY Diesel Maintenance with Nigel Calder

Thursday 9/10 | 8 AM–11 AM | $65

How well do you really know your engine?

For most boat owners, diesel engines are essential—but often a bit of a mystery. And when something goes wrong, that uncertainty can turn into stress quickly.

Nigel Calder has spent decades helping boaters change that.

In this workshop, Nigel starts with core maintenance tasks every boat owner can (and should) understand and be able to perform. From routine care to knowing what not to attempt, you’ll gain a clear, practical understanding of the systems that keep your engine running reliably.

This is about building confidence. The kind that comes from knowing what you’re looking at, what matters, and how to take care of it properly.

Whether you’re new to diesel engines or looking to deepen your understanding, this is foundational knowledge you’ll use again and again.

This workshop is the first of two complementary diesel sessions on Thursday. Each can be taken independently, but together they provide a deeper understanding of diesel engines.

Fix It Yourself: Diesel Engine Troubleshooting with Nigel Calder

Thursday 9/10 | 12 PM–3 PM | $65

When your engine fails—especially far from help—what do you do?

For many boaters, the answer is uncertainty. For those with the right knowledge, it’s often: figure it out and get moving again.

Nigel Calder has spent decades helping boat owners do exactly that.

In this workshop, Nigel breaks down how diesel engines work—and how to diagnose the most common problems you’re likely to encounter. From overheating and loss of power to strange vibrations, smoke, or an engine that simply won’t start, you’ll learn how to identify what’s going wrong and what to do about it.

You don’t need to be a mechanic. With a clear understanding of core systems and a few practical techniques—including simple multimeter tests—you can troubleshoot most issues you’ll face on the water.

Over the years, Nigel has heard from countless sailors who were able to get themselves back up and running in remote places thanks to this knowledge.

This workshop is designed to give you that same confidence.

Whether you’re preparing for extended cruising or simply want to better understand your boat, this is practical knowledge you can carry with you—wherever you go.

This workshop is the second of two complementary diesel sessions on Thursday. Each can be taken independently, but together they provide a deeper understanding of diesel engines.

What’s Wrong with Your Boat’s Electrical System?

Friday 9/11 | 8 AM–11 AM | $65

If your boat has an electrical system, unfortunately, there’s a good chance something isn’t quite right.

In fact, many of the most common electrical system problems on boats—both power and sail— are built in by the boatbuilder. Poor design and questionable installations are compounded over time by well-intentioned but incomplete upgrades.

Most mistakes remain hidden until vibration, corrosion, or some other factor results in an electrical system failure. Some are inconvenient. Others can be unsafe. The majority of boat fires originate in electrical systems.

Nigel Calder has seen it all.

In this workshop, Nigel walks through the most common electrical installation mistakes found on boats today—many of them surprisingly widespread—and shows you how to identify and correct them. From wiring issues to system design flaws, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of what’s happening behind the panels on your own boat.

You don’t need prior experience. This is about learning what to look for, what matters, and how to make your system safer and more reliable.

Chances are, you’ll recognize something that needs fixing on your own boat.

This workshop is the first of two complementary electrical sessions on Friday. Each stands alone, but together they provide a deeper understanding of onboard electrical systems.

Find the Problem: Boat Electrical Troubleshooting Made Simple

Friday 9/11 | 12 PM–3 PM | $65

When something electrical stops working on your boat, it can feel like a mystery.

Is it the battery? A connection? A wiring issue? And where do you even begin?

In this workshop, Nigel Calder breaks troubleshooting down into clear, step-by-step processes that any boat owner can follow. Using simple tools—especially a multimeter—you’ll learn how to identify the most common electrical problems and trace them to their source.

No prior experience is required. This is about building confidence—understanding what you’re looking at, knowing what to test, and being able to take action instead of guessing.

Along the way, you’ll also learn how to prevent common issues like premature battery failure and avoid unnecessary service calls.

On today’s increasingly complex boats, electrical systems can be one of the biggest sources of frustration—or one of the most empowering areas of knowledge.

This workshop helps tip the balance. It complements the morning session on electrical installation issues, but can be taken independently.

This workshop is the second of two complementary electrical sessions on Friday. Each can be taken independently, but together they provide a deeper understanding of onboard electrical systems.