The Pacific Northwest offers some of the finest boating opportunities anywhere - beautiful cruising grounds, world-class fishing, scenic lakes, and endless destinations to explore. As you begin your boating journey, one of the best resources available to you is the Marine Technology Center (MTC) in Anacortes.

For more than 50 years, Skagit Valley College's Marine Technology Center has trained marine professionals and supported recreational boaters through practical, hands-on education. Thanks to the support of our industry sponsors, we're excited to offer this New Boater Course at no cost to you.

This engaging 3-hour course is designed specifically for new boat owners and will introduce the skills and knowledge to help you boat more safely, and confidently.

Topics include:

• Anchoring fundamentals
• VHF radio operation and communication
• Electrical and battery essentials
• Fuel system basics and common issues
• Potable water systems
• Trip planning and favorite Pacific Northwest destinations
• Boating photography tips

Participants will also receive a comprehensive resource guide to take home for future reference.

This two-day course introduces the materials, equipment, and fundamental sewing techniques used in marine canvas fabrication. It serves as the entry point for those completing the Professional Marine Canvas Course and for DIY boaters interested in learning more about marine canvas fabrication.

The first day serves as an overview of marine canvas. Instruction covers the function and product categories of marine canvas, the fabrics and window materials commonly used, and the cleaning, storage, and waterproofing practices that lengthen service life. Students examine examples of existing canvas installations and learn to identify the design and construction decisions that help canvas perform well or fail prematurely.

The second day is conducted hands-on on the machines. Students learn to use a walking-foot sewing machine to construct the seams, hems, bindings, darts, zipper installations, and fastener applications that underlie all subsequent work in the program. No prior sewing experience is required. Sewing machines, tools, and materials are provided.

TOPICS COVERED 

• Marine canvas product categories: covers, bimini tops, dodgers, enclosures, and upholstery 
• Discussion of the tools and equipment required 
• Evaluation of existing canvas work and common areas of failure 
• Acrylic, coated polyester, and solution-dyed polyester fabrics and their applications 
• Window materials, gauges, and handling requirements 
• Cleaning, storage, and annual waterproofing practice 
• Industrial and portable sewing machines: types, features, and evaluation for purchase 
• Machine threading, tension adjustment, stitch length, and setup 
• Seam types and strength characteristics 
• Fabrication techniques including hems, binding, darts, and zipper installation 
• Fastener installation of snaps, grommets, Lift-the-DOT, and Common Sense fasteners 
• Measurement convention and introduction to patterning methods

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the principal categories of marine canvas and the materials appropriate to each
• Set up, thread, and adjust a walking-foot sewing machine
• Select and construct the appropriate seam type for a given application
• Sew hems, binding, darts, and zipper installations to trade standards
• Install snaps, grommets, and marine fasteners correctly

Outboard Motor Service, Repair, and Maintenance

In this hands-on, one-day course, Cruisers College will guide you through the essential systems and maintenance of your outboard engine. Whether powering a dinghy or serving as the main propulsion on larger fishing and cruising vessels, outboards are widely used—and highly reliable when properly maintained.

This class covers all the critical service points needed to keep your outboard running smoothly for years to come. Using the Marine Technology Center’s propulsion lab, you’ll get practical experience working directly with real outboard motors to perform key maintenance tasks.

By the end of the day, you'll understand how your engine works and how to keep it starting reliably and running strong.

Sample of topics covered:

• Fuel system inspection and service
• Lower unit testing and maintenance
• Water pump impeller replacement
• Ignition system inspection and testing
• Oil Changes · Compression testing
• Propeller removal and installation
• Routine Maintenance & Tune up
• Winterization

Matt Mardesich is the Co-Department Chair and lead propulsion systems instructor in the Marine Maintenance Technology program at Skagit Valley College. Born into a fishing family on Guemes Island, WA, Matt has spent his entire life working and playing on the water. In addition to teaching, he continues to commercial fish in Bristol Bay, Alaska—home to the world’s greatest wild salmon run. Matt is an ABYC-certified Master Technician and holds a USCG 100-ton Master's License. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling and discovering local wonders with his wife, Kinsey, and their rowdy 5-year-old son, Milo.

If you're preparing to sail offshore, this is the workshop to jumpstart your journey. Founded by renowned circumnavigator John Neal in 1976 and now presented by Gio and Julie Cappelli in partnership with Skagit Valley College’s Cruisers College, the Mahina Offshore Cruising Seminar has helped over 11,000 sailors move from dream to departure. This hands-on, two-day event blends Mahina’s proven 18-topic curriculum with Cruisers College’s expert-led workshops to deliver one of the most comprehensive ocean cruising preparation courses in North America.

This two-day immersive seminar is designed for aspiring bluewater cruisers who want to go beyond dreaming and start preparing. Through a blend of engaging lectures and hands-on instruction, you’ll gain the practical skills, systems knowledge, and decision-making frameworks essential for safe and successful offshore voyaging. If you're planning to cruise beyond the coast—or even just want to build serious seamanship—this seminar will give you the tools to confidently select, outfit, and maintain your boat; weather storms; plan safe passages; and troubleshoot real-world challenges far from help. Whether you're preparing to cross oceans or want to be more self-sufficient while coastal cruising, you’ll walk away with knowledge that pays dividends for years to come.

What You’ll Learn Through dynamic presentations and practical workshops, you’ll gain critical knowledge in:

• Offshore sailboat selection, outfitting & systems 
• Rigging, sail repair, canvas work, and splicing 
• Marine diesel engine maintenance & troubleshooting 
• Electrical systems design, safety, and repair 
• Anchoring strategies for exposed and remote locations 
• Heavy weather tactics and storm survival preparation 
• Navigation, weather routing, and passage planning 
• Provisioning, cooking, and galley systems for offshore life 
• Offshore communications, safety equipment, and emergency prep 
• Piracy, security, and international cruising logistics 
• Health, insurance, and cost-of-cruising insight

You Will Get to Practice:

• Troubleshooting and maintaining diesel engines and marine systems 
• Conducting electrical system checks and safe wiring practices 
• Using sail repair and sewing tools to patch and reinforce canvas 
• Hands-on splicing, line handling, and working with hardware 
• Participating in a liferaft orientation

This seminar is open to sailors and cruisers of all experience levels. You don’t need to be ready to depart next season—but if you’re thinking seriously about going offshore in the next few years (or want to be ready when the opportunity arises), this is the place to start.

This two-day course covers the design, patterning, fabrication, and installation of protective covers for boats and marine equipment. Covers represent a primary project category in most canvas shops and the most common first project for people new to the trade.

Instruction begins with design. Students study the requirements a cover must satisfy in service, including winter storage, trailering, ultraviolet exposure, and standing water, and learn why covers under tension chafe and fail. Retention systems, reinforcement placement, water-shedding design, and fabric selection appropriate to the application, climate, and budget are discussed.

Then, attendees will pattern, cut, sew, and install a complete cover. Fabrication includes Patterning, layout and sewing of large panels, drawstring pockets, reinforcements, and bound edges.

TOPICS COVERED

• Cover types: full boat, cockpit, console, seat, equipment, mainsail, and hatch covers
• Service requirements: storage, trailering, ultraviolet exposure, and water loading
• Common failures and the design practice that prevents them
• Fabric selection for application, climate, and budget
• Retention systems: snaps, drawstring and pocket, and bungee configurations
• Reinforcement placement at chafe points and material selection for reinforcement
• Patterning by drape-and-dart method as well as full paneled construction
• Darts, hidden zippers, drawstring pockets, and reinforced skirts
• Fitting and locating fasteners on the vessel

LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Specify a cover design appropriate to the equipment and intended use
• Select fabric, thread, and hardware for a given cover
• Produce an accurate pattern using the method appropriate to the equipment
• Fabricate a cover incorporating darts, zippers, pockets, and a reinforced skirt as needed

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Boat owners who wish to fabricate and maintain boat and equipment covers, and students preparing for employment in marine canvas fabrication. Boat equipment covers are a frequently commissioned project in the trade and the most common source of a new fabricator's first paid work; it is also the most accessible project for a do-it-yourself boat owner looking to improve their skills.

This two-day seminar covers all things electrical on your cruising vessel. Through a blend of lecture and hands-on practice you will learn basic electrical system design, installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance. We’ll cover safety, specialized tool use, industry best practices, and more.

Self-sufficiency at sea is truly the key to successful cruising. The more you can fix on your boat yourself, the longer you’re likely to stay out cruising. If you are a cruiser who wants to gain proficiency in troubleshooting, maintaining, and upgrading your marine electrical systems in accordance with ABYC standards, then this is the workshop for you. Sail and powerboat cruisers alike will gain essential knowledge and skills that will pay dividends for years to come.

Through a blend of lecture and hands-on practice you will learn basic electrical system design, installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance. We’ll cover safety, specialized tool use, industry best practices, and more. You will learn how to identify boat electrical components, practice making seaworthy wire terminations, correctly install DC equipment, and how to use a multimeter to save yourself hours of frustration trying to track down “boat gremlins”. Your learning and skill development will culminate with the design, building, and testing of a basic electrical system of your own at the renowned Marine Technology Center lab.

This is an introductory workshop that will prioritize safety, hands-on, applied learning. We welcome learners of all skill levels, especially if you have never picked up a tool or played with a battery before!

You will learn how to:

• Apply basic electrical fundamentals including Ohm’s Law and the Power Equations
• Recognize the differences between series and parallel circuits
• Draw circuit diagrams using basic electrical symbols
• Calculate wire size based on ampacity and voltage drop
• Select appropriate overcurrent protection size, type, and installation location
• Properly route wiring and install strain relief and chafe protection
• Apply recommended color coding for DC and AC wiring on boats

You will get to practice:

• Properly installing the components of a basic DC electrical circuit
• Drawing and working from basic circuit diagrams
• Performing basic DC electrical circuit safety checks
• Applying ABYC standards to evaluate and build circuits
• Choosing and using a variety of specialized electrical tools
• Conducting essential electrical troubleshooting with a multimeter
• Identifying and testing different types of fuses
• Building battery cables
• Testing battery voltages and recognizing their importance
• Building and testing battery banks in parallel and series

This two-day course covers marine upholstery, with emphasis on box cushion construction. Interior work employs materials, tools, and machine settings that differ substantially from exterior canvas fabrication and requires separate instruction.

Students configure the sewing machine for upholstery work, changing stitch length, needle gauge, and thread weight, and are introduced to the specialized tools the work requires, including foam cutting equipment, staplers, regulators, and adhesives. Students learn to select foam by type, firmness, and density for a given application, and to cut, shape, and laminate it correctly.

The instruction then addresses upholstery fabrics and vinyls, railroading and pattern matching, yardage estimation, welting and its alternatives, and the seam types and zippers appropriate for interior work. Students construct a complete box cushion, patterned from existing foam, and discuss project techniques for making cushions from an existing cover and from scratch to a finished piece.

TOPICS COVERED

•  Sewing Machine configuration for upholstery work
• Upholstery tools: cutters, staplers, foam saws, regulators, and adhesives
• Foam types, firmness rating, and density, and selection for the application
• Cutting, shaping, crowning, and laminating foam
• Batting, polyester fill, and corner construction
• Upholstery fabrics and vinyls in indoor and outdoor grades
• Railroading, pattern matching, and yardage estimation
• Welting and piping, and decorative alternatives to welt
• Zipper placket construction and installation
• Patterning from foam and an existing cover as well as from scratch
• Assembly, turning, filling, and fitting

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Configure a walking-foot machine for upholstery work
• Select foam by type, thickness, firmness, and density for a stated application
• Cut, shape, and laminate foam to dimension
• Produce a pattern from foam or from an existing cover
• Fabricate a box cushion incorporating welting and a functioning zipper placket
• Fit a completed cushion and correct dimensional errors

 

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Boat owners undertaking interior refurbishment, students preparing for employment in marine fabrication, and experienced sewers or upholsterers entering marine work, where materials and techniques differ from garment or residential upholstery.

This Cruisers College full-day course will help the students understand how to properly use and install marine electronics on their boat. You will get introduced to the basic electronic components in most marine electronic systems, while gaining a basic understanding of the typical marine electronics installation and how National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) standards apply to your marine electronics installation. You will also learn some troubleshooting tips on how to test new and current equipment, as well as common mistakes to avoid.

A basic understanding of DC electrical is recommended prior to taking this class. 

Sample of topics covered:

• Basic components of marine electronic installations
• Basic operation of marine electronics
• NMEA 2000 Proper Installation
• Networking Marine Electronics equipment
• Electronics troubleshooting
• New Products for the recreational boater

Jennifer King and Monica Riess are instructors for Skagit Valley College Marine Electronics courses for the last 7 years. They are graduates of the SVC Marine Maintenance and Technology Program. Using course material from the NMEA and field experience, Jen and Monica enjoy teaching future technicians the basics of marine electronic installations. Jen and Monica also run their own marine electronics and electrical repair company, K&R Marine Services, in the Anacortes and La Conner, WA region for the last 12 years. They are both NMEA and ABYC certified and are known for their high quality of work and attention to detail.

Course covers the design, patterning, fabrication, and installation of bimini tops. The bimini top is the foundational product for dodgers, enclosures, and connector panels, and the course establishes the methods those later courses build upon.

Instruction begins with design and frame preparation. Students learn panel orientation and seam direction, the specification and installation of sail windows, backstay cutouts, and solar panel mounting, and the placement of straps and hardware. The course emphasizes designing a top that can later be converted to a full enclosure.

Students will pattern and construct a bimini top, including scribing bow lines and establishing side stop lines, and proceed with cutting and fabricating zipper pockets, valances, and zipper tail panels. Final steps include perimeter binding, adjustable strap fabrication, and installation and tensioning of the completed top.

TOPICS COVERED

• Design considerations: panel orientation, seam direction, and hardware placement
• Sail windows, backstay cutouts, and rigid and flexible solar panel mounting considerations
• Designing a top for later conversion to an enclosure
• Dodger types and selection criteria for a given vessel and use
• Assessment of existing frames and criteria for re-covering
• Patterning directly on project material at the vessel
• Shop layout, cutting sequence, and management of large panels
• Zipper pocket and valance construction • Perimeter binding and adjustable strap fabrication
• Installation, tensioning, and final adjustment

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Specify a bimini top design appropriate to the vessel, the frame, and the owner's use
• Prepare, erect, and level an existing frame for patterning
• Pattern a bimini top • Fabricate zipper pockets, valances, and zipper tail panels
• Preserve the dimensional allowance required for later enclosure conversion
• Install and tension a completed top and diagnose fitting problems

 

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Boat owners re-covering or replacing a top on their own vessel, and students preparing for employment in marine canvas fabrication. The bimini top is the most frequently commissioned fabricated product in the trade and the prerequisite skill for dodger and enclosure work, which represent the highest-value canvas products.

D.I.Y Diesel Engine Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Cruisers College is offering a hands-on weekend course focused on maintaining your diesel propulsion engine. A diesel engine failure while underway can quickly turn a dream trip into a dangerous situation. Fortunately, marine diesel engines are highly reliable when properly maintained. They primarily need clean fuel, fresh air, ample cooling water, and electrical power for starting.

Most engine issues stem from neglected maintenance—especially in the fuel and cooling systems. This course is designed to demystify these critical systems and empower boat owners to perform essential upkeep with confidence.

Held at the Marine Technology Center’s diesel engine lab, the class offers practical, hands-on experience working with live diesel engines. Participants will learn the most common maintenance procedures to help keep their engines running smoothly—and their time on the water worry-free.

Sample of topics covered:

• Diesel engine inspections and parts identification
• Annual and regular maintenance points
• Fuel system service: including changing fuel filters, bleeding injectors, and optimizing fuel systems
• Cooling system service: including replacing impellers, checking sacrificial anodes, and inspecting heat exchangers/oil coolers
•  Engine oil system service points
• Electrical system testing, troubleshooting, and emergency starting
• Engine V-belt replacement

This is one of our most popular courses. By the end of the weekend, you'll have a solid understanding of how your diesel engine works, along with the key areas for effective maintenance and basic troubleshooting. We’ve expanded the course to include even more hands-on training, using our fully equipped lab filled with engine parts, training aids, and running diesel engines.

Matt Mardesich is the Co-Department Chair and lead propulsion systems instructor in the Marine Maintenance Technology program at Skagit Valley College. Born into a fishing family on Guemes Island, WA, Matt has spent his entire life working and playing on the water. In addition to teaching, he continues to commercial fish in Bristol Bay, Alaska—home to the world’s greatest wild salmon run. Matt is an ABYC-certified Master Technician and holds a USCG 100-ton Master's License. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling and discovering local wonders with his wife, Kinsey, and their rowdy 5-year-old son, Milo.

This course covers the design and fabrication of enclosure curtains and windows for boats. Instruction covers window materials in detail, including roll and sheet vinyl and semi-rigid polycarbonate, comparing clarity, service life, handling characteristics, and cost. The course discusses picture-frame and mirrored-component construction, as well as how to determine when damaged windows can be replaced economically or when they require reconstruction of the entire panel.

Attendees will pattern and fabricate enclosure panels for an existing bimini top. Note: the in-class project will use vinyl window material and other marine-grade fabrics. We will discuss polycarbonate and acrylic window materials and construction techniques but not use them during class.

TOPICS COVERED

• Enclosure configurations: full, partial, side curtains, and convertible tops
• External and internal frame configurations and access considerations
• Window materials by type, gauge, clarity, service life, and cost
• Picture frame versus mirrored component construction
• Handling and storage of window material
• Zippers, Lift-the-DOT, and Common Sense/Twist Lock fastener applications
• Zipper replacement and window panel replacement techniques
• Storage and care instructions

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Specify an enclosure configuration appropriate to the vessel and the owner's use
• Select window material and construction method for a given panel and justify the selection
• Pattern enclosure panels from an existing top
• Fabricate a panel incorporating windows, zippers, and perimeter fasteners

 

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Boat owners extending the usable season on their own vessels or replacing an enclosure that is at the end of its service life, and students preparing for employment in marine canvas fabrication. Enclosure work represents the highest-value product category in the trade and a capability that distinguishes the most skilled fabricators in the industry.

Speed a weekend learning about your boats diesel engine. A class, by Margaret, designed and taught just for women. Cruisers college will help you understand your diesel engine, the equipment you rely on when out exploring on your boat, and common trouble-shooting techniques for the cruising woman.

For both sailors and powerboaters! This class won’t make you a diesel mechanic. But it will give you basic knowledge of, and hands-on experience with, the engine and related systems needed for cruising in locally. This course reviews many of the things you need to know about your diesel engine and the important trouble-shooting techniques for when things don’t go as planned. This class will review marine diesel and drive train systems that are both the most likely to cause problems as well as being the easiest to fix (or prevent failing). You’ll discover there’s a lot you can do for your engine and drive train that doesn’t require lots of strength or using expensive tools. Attendees will receive example checklists and tool lists to tailor for their own vessels.

Sample of topics covered:

• Safety around engine systems

• How to avoid causing problems by the way you drive and manage your boat

• How to perform daily engine checks, using a sample checklist

• Tools and supplies for daily engine checks and basic repairs

• Basic electrical troubleshooting using a multi-meter

• Replacing raw water impellers

• Checking and changing fuel filters

• When your engine fails: basic diagnostics

This two-day course introduces the materials, equipment, and fundamental sewing techniques used in marine canvas fabrication. It serves as the entry point for those completing the Professional Marine Canvas Course and for DIY boaters interested in learning more about marine canvas fabrication.

The first day serves as an overview of marine canvas. Instruction covers the function and product categories of marine canvas, the fabrics and window materials commonly used, and the cleaning, storage, and waterproofing practices that lengthen service life. Students examine examples of existing canvas installations and learn to identify the design and construction decisions that help canvas perform well or fail prematurely.

The second day is conducted hands-on on the machines. Students learn to use a walking-foot sewing machine to construct the seams, hems, bindings, darts, zipper installations, and fastener applications that underlie all subsequent work in the program. No prior sewing experience is required. Sewing machines, tools, and materials are provided.

TOPICS COVERED 

• Marine canvas product categories: covers, bimini tops, dodgers, enclosures, and upholstery 
• Discussion of the tools and equipment required 
• Evaluation of existing canvas work and common areas of failure 
• Acrylic, coated polyester, and solution-dyed polyester fabrics and their applications 
• Window materials, gauges, and handling requirements 
• Cleaning, storage, and annual waterproofing practice 
• Industrial and portable sewing machines: types, features, and evaluation for purchase 
• Machine threading, tension adjustment, stitch length, and setup 
• Seam types and strength characteristics 
• Fabrication techniques including hems, binding, darts, and zipper installation 
• Fastener installation of snaps, grommets, Lift-the-DOT, and Common Sense fasteners 
• Measurement convention and introduction to patterning methods

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the principal categories of marine canvas and the materials appropriate to each
• Set up, thread, and adjust a walking-foot sewing machine
• Select and construct the appropriate seam type for a given application
• Sew hems, binding, darts, and zipper installations to trade standards
• Install snaps, grommets, and marine fasteners correctly

This Cruisers College full-day course will help the students understand how to properly use and install marine electronics on their boat. You will get introduced to the basic electronic components in most marine electronic systems, while gaining a basic understanding of the typical marine electronics installation and how National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) standards apply to your marine electronics installation. You will also learn some troubleshooting tips on how to test new and current equipment, as well as common mistakes to avoid.

A basic understanding of DC electrical is recommended prior to taking this class. 

Sample of topics covered:

• Basic components of marine electronic installations
• Basic operation of marine electronics
• NMEA 2000 Proper Installation
• Networking Marine Electronics equipment
• Electronics troubleshooting
• New Products for the recreational boater

Jennifer King and Monica Riess are instructors for Skagit Valley College Marine Electronics courses for the last 7 years. They are graduates of the SVC Marine Maintenance and Technology Program. Using course material from the NMEA and field experience, Jen and Monica enjoy teaching future technicians the basics of marine electronic installations. Jen and Monica also run their own marine electronics and electrical repair company, K&R Marine Services, in the Anacortes and La Conner, WA region for the last 12 years. They are both NMEA and ABYC certified and are known for their high quality of work and attention to detail.

This two-day course covers the design, patterning, fabrication, and installation of protective covers for boats and marine equipment. Covers represent a primary project category in most canvas shops and the most common first project for people new to the trade.

Instruction begins with design. Students study the requirements a cover must satisfy in service, including winter storage, trailering, ultraviolet exposure, and standing water, and learn why covers under tension chafe and fail. Retention systems, reinforcement placement, water-shedding design, and fabric selection appropriate to the application, climate, and budget are discussed.

Then, attendees will pattern, cut, sew, and install a complete cover. Fabrication includes Patterning, layout and sewing of large panels, drawstring pockets, reinforcements, and bound edges.

TOPICS COVERED

• Cover types: full boat, cockpit, console, seat, equipment, mainsail, and hatch covers
• Service requirements: storage, trailering, ultraviolet exposure, and water loading
• Common failures and the design practice that prevents them
• Fabric selection for application, climate, and budget
• Retention systems: snaps, drawstring and pocket, and bungee configurations
• Reinforcement placement at chafe points and material selection for reinforcement
• Patterning by drape-and-dart method as well as full paneled construction
• Darts, hidden zippers, drawstring pockets, and reinforced skirts
• Fitting and locating fasteners on the vessel

LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Specify a cover design appropriate to the equipment and intended use
• Select fabric, thread, and hardware for a given cover
• Produce an accurate pattern using the method appropriate to the equipment
• Fabricate a cover incorporating darts, zippers, pockets, and a reinforced skirt as needed

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Boat owners who wish to fabricate and maintain boat and equipment covers, and students preparing for employment in marine canvas fabrication. Boat equipment covers are a frequently commissioned project in the trade and the most common source of a new fabricator's first paid work; it is also the most accessible project for a do-it-yourself boat owner looking to improve their skills.

This two-day course covers marine upholstery, with emphasis on box cushion construction. Interior work employs materials, tools, and machine settings that differ substantially from exterior canvas fabrication and requires separate instruction.

Students configure the sewing machine for upholstery work, changing stitch length, needle gauge, and thread weight, and are introduced to the specialized tools the work requires, including foam cutting equipment, staplers, regulators, and adhesives. Students learn to select foam by type, firmness, and density for a given application, and to cut, shape, and laminate it correctly.

The instruction then addresses upholstery fabrics and vinyls, railroading and pattern matching, yardage estimation, welting and its alternatives, and the seam types and zippers appropriate for interior work. Students construct a complete box cushion, patterned from existing foam, and discuss project techniques for making cushions from an existing cover and from scratch to a finished piece.

TOPICS COVERED

•  Sewing Machine configuration for upholstery work
• Upholstery tools: cutters, staplers, foam saws, regulators, and adhesives
• Foam types, firmness rating, and density, and selection for the application
• Cutting, shaping, crowning, and laminating foam
• Batting, polyester fill, and corner construction
• Upholstery fabrics and vinyls in indoor and outdoor grades
• Railroading, pattern matching, and yardage estimation
• Welting and piping, and decorative alternatives to welt
• Zipper placket construction and installation
• Patterning from foam and an existing cover as well as from scratch
• Assembly, turning, filling, and fitting

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Configure a walking-foot machine for upholstery work
• Select foam by type, thickness, firmness, and density for a stated application
• Cut, shape, and laminate foam to dimension
• Produce a pattern from foam or from an existing cover
• Fabricate a box cushion incorporating welting and a functioning zipper placket
• Fit a completed cushion and correct dimensional errors

 

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Boat owners undertaking interior refurbishment, students preparing for employment in marine fabrication, and experienced sewers or upholsterers entering marine work, where materials and techniques differ from garment or residential upholstery.

Course covers the design, patterning, fabrication, and installation of bimini tops. The bimini top is the foundational product for dodgers, enclosures, and connector panels, and the course establishes the methods those later courses build upon.

Instruction begins with design and frame preparation. Students learn panel orientation and seam direction, the specification and installation of sail windows, backstay cutouts, and solar panel mounting, and the placement of straps and hardware. The course emphasizes designing a top that can later be converted to a full enclosure.

Students will pattern and construct a bimini top, including scribing bow lines and establishing side stop lines, and proceed with cutting and fabricating zipper pockets, valances, and zipper tail panels. Final steps include perimeter binding, adjustable strap fabrication, and installation and tensioning of the completed top.

TOPICS COVERED

• Design considerations: panel orientation, seam direction, and hardware placement
• Sail windows, backstay cutouts, and rigid and flexible solar panel mounting considerations
• Designing a top for later conversion to an enclosure
• Dodger types and selection criteria for a given vessel and use
• Assessment of existing frames and criteria for re-covering
• Patterning directly on project material at the vessel
• Shop layout, cutting sequence, and management of large panels
• Zipper pocket and valance construction • Perimeter binding and adjustable strap fabrication
• Installation, tensioning, and final adjustment

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Specify a bimini top design appropriate to the vessel, the frame, and the owner's use
• Prepare, erect, and level an existing frame for patterning
• Pattern a bimini top • Fabricate zipper pockets, valances, and zipper tail panels
• Preserve the dimensional allowance required for later enclosure conversion
• Install and tension a completed top and diagnose fitting problems

 

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Boat owners re-covering or replacing a top on their own vessel, and students preparing for employment in marine canvas fabrication. The bimini top is the most frequently commissioned fabricated product in the trade and the prerequisite skill for dodger and enclosure work, which represent the highest-value canvas products.

This course covers the design and fabrication of enclosure curtains and windows for boats. Instruction covers window materials in detail, including roll and sheet vinyl and semi-rigid polycarbonate, comparing clarity, service life, handling characteristics, and cost. The course discusses picture-frame and mirrored-component construction, as well as how to determine when damaged windows can be replaced economically or when they require reconstruction of the entire panel.

Attendees will pattern and fabricate enclosure panels for an existing bimini top. Note: the in-class project will use vinyl window material and other marine-grade fabrics. We will discuss polycarbonate and acrylic window materials and construction techniques but not use them during class.

TOPICS COVERED

• Enclosure configurations: full, partial, side curtains, and convertible tops
• External and internal frame configurations and access considerations
• Window materials by type, gauge, clarity, service life, and cost
• Picture frame versus mirrored component construction
• Handling and storage of window material
• Zippers, Lift-the-DOT, and Common Sense/Twist Lock fastener applications
• Zipper replacement and window panel replacement techniques
• Storage and care instructions

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Specify an enclosure configuration appropriate to the vessel and the owner's use
• Select window material and construction method for a given panel and justify the selection
• Pattern enclosure panels from an existing top
• Fabricate a panel incorporating windows, zippers, and perimeter fasteners

 

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Boat owners extending the usable season on their own vessels or replacing an enclosure that is at the end of its service life, and students preparing for employment in marine canvas fabrication. Enclosure work represents the highest-value product category in the trade and a capability that distinguishes the most skilled fabricators in the industry.