Marine Training Courses
We offer the following marine-specific courses for boat users:
- Diesel Engine (Understanding of your engine, maintenance, basic problem-solving...)
- Outboard Engine (Understanding of your engine, maintenance, basic problem-solving...)
- Boat Electrics (Basic knowledge, toolbox (what to have onboard and how to use it), common failures...)
- Custom Courses - tailored to your needs
No previous knowledge needed! All our courses are suitable for both beginners and more experienced sailors. They combine presentation with hands-on practical demonstrations.
Contact us to find out the next available dates and locations, or to arrange a course at your local club, sailing school, private boat, or other venue.
Basic Outboard Engine Course
Do you know your spark plug from your piston?
Outboards aren't always the best maintained... but are expected to work whenever the sun shines and you want to go out on the water.
Want to know how best to look after your outboard and give it a long and reliable life?
Suitable for complete beginners - no previous experience is required.
Course Overview: An introduction to the mechanical and electrical systems on your outboard
Best practice on how to service and maintain your engine. How to avoid common failures and basic repairs and diagnostics to try and get you going sooner thatn later.
The course alternates between a presentation on screen and looking at a stripped down Yamaha 9.9hp 4 stroke engine, along with a 5hp 2 stroke operational outboard for demonstration of diagnostic procedures.
Topics covered:
- The principles of a petrol engine - 2 stroke vs 4 stroke, engine oil etc.
- Fuel system - carburettor, tank, primer, filter
- Cooling system - impeller, thermostat, telltale
- Electrical system - charging, warning, ignition
- Propellers - choice, hubs, etc.
- Anodes - Galvanic protection
- Checks & Fault-finding
- Routing maintenance / Servicing
- Winterising
Course duration: 1 day (9-5 with coffee breaks and lunch break) | also option for 2 evenings
Basic Marine Engine Course
Do you know your impeller from your conrod?
Mechanical failure is the main cause of rescue callouts to cruisers. Basic maintenance and engine care will help ensure that you are not part of this statistic.
Suitable for complete beginners - no previous experience is required.
Course Overview: An introduction to how your engine works, the main components and how they interact with each other.
Best practice on how to service and maintain your engine along with suggestions on spares and tools to be kept onboard. As well as emergency repair procedures.
The course alternates between a presentation on screen and looking at the systems in person on the "working" Yanmar powered training rig.
Topics covered:
- The principles of diesel engine operation
- The systems and parts of the engine: Fuel System, Cooling System, Electrical System (charging, starting, warning)
- Driver types. Shaft seal options
- Battery care
- Anodes - Galvanic protection
- Checks & Fault-finding
- Routine maintenance/servicing
- Winterising
Course duration: 1 day (9-5 with coffee breaks and lunch break) | also option for 2 evenings
Basic Marine Electrics Course
Do you know your Volts from your Ammeter?
Even on new boats, electrics can be confusing, but once a few years old and a few things added to the system... Well, then no one can remember which wire is which?
Want to know how to fix your own bilge pump? Test your batteries?
Suitable for complete beginners - no previous experience is required.
Course Overview: An introduction to basic marine 12V DC electrics (don't worry, even "12V DC" will be explained)
Understanding onboard systems, their failure points and how to diagnose, isolate and, if possible, repair them.
The course alternates between a presentation on screen and a practical session looking at how to use a multimeter, how to crimp properly, etc.
Topics covered:
- "12V DC"... what is it?
- Batteries - types, terting, maintenance/care
- Charging systems - alternator, split charger...
- Solar systems
- Anodes / Galvanic protection
- Checks & Fault-finding
- Multimeter - how to use them. Measuring Volts, Amps, Resistance. Continuity test
- Joining wires, terminating wires - Options / Tools / Best practice
Course duration: 1 day (9-5 with coffee breaks and lunch break) | also option for 2 evenings
Multimeters, tools, etc. will be available on the day to try, but feel free to bring your own to try.
Tailored courses
We can design courses specific to your needs.
Small groups, women-only, junior crew, advance courses... let's talk and we fill find the course you need.