Nav-1 is the first electronic marine navigation Certification in the US. It covers how to safely plan and navigate a trip aboard a vessel during daytime and within sight of land using electronic navigation. In addition to core navigation concepts and the use of electronic devices to navigate, the course includes planning and route considerations such as time and distance, arrival time factors, fuel and water requirements, weather, tide and current conditions.

The skills and knowledge taught in this course are universal and apply to any type of onboard chart plotter or mobile device charting app. This course is taught in the classroom using mobile tablets and a charting app, but all of the skills and procedures can be adapted to installed onboard chart plotters.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites.

Equipment: You need to bring a tablet (phone is too small), with the Navionics Boating App already installed. Detailed setup guidance will come with registration.

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.

Boat Canvas Bootcamp

Having quality canvas aboard your boat helps to protect your investment and make your time on the water as safe and enjoyable as possible. Professionally made marine canvas can be expensive, however, and many canvas shops have long waiting lists.

If you are interested in making or repairing your boat’s canvas, join us for a 1½ day class aimed at orienting you on the tools and techniques needed to produce and repair quality marine canvas for your boat.

• Tools and equipment needed for boat canvas

• Fabric, hardware, and other materials used in marine canvas products

• Sewing machine setup and use

• Basics of measuring and pattering your project

• Construction techniques

• Repair and maintenance of your canvas

The class is structured to be interactive with presentations followed by hands-on labs that cover key topics. Our time together culminates by using many of the techniques taught in class to make a small project to take home.

Boat Canvas Bootcamp

Having quality canvas aboard your boat helps to protect your investment and make your time on the water as safe and enjoyable as possible. Professionally made marine canvas can be expensive, however, and many canvas shops have long waiting lists.

If you are interested in making or repairing your boat’s canvas, join us for a 1½ day class aimed at orienting you on the tools and techniques needed to produce and repair quality marine canvas for your boat.

• Tools and equipment needed for boat canvas

• Fabric, hardware, and other materials used in marine canvas products

• Sewing machine setup and use

• Basics of measuring and pattering your project

• Construction techniques

• Repair and maintenance of your canvas

The class is structured to be interactive with presentations followed by hands-on labs that cover key topics. Our time together culminates by using many of the techniques taught in class to make a small project to take home.

We are super excited about our latest canvas offering! Here is your opportunity to take your boat canvas skills to the next level. Join us for two weeks of boat canvas training aimed at those looking to take a deep dive into canvas fabrication or are planning to pursue marine fabrication professionally. The marine industry needs more canvas professionals, many are 6+ months out and others a not accepting new clients. Come learn the skills needed for high-level canvas fabrication.

If you have any questions, reach out to Mike! mike.reese@skagit.edu If you have any questions, reach out to Mike! mike.reese@skagit.edu

Week 1: Fundamentals of Marine Canvas Fabrication: Covers, Cushions, and More.

Introduction to industrial sewing machines

•  Thread selection and tension control
• Mastering various stitch types and applications
• Sewing techniques for marine canvas materials

The Basics of Marine Canvas:

• Properties and selection of marine canvas fabrics
• Hardware and components used in canvas fabrication.
• Basic design principles for attractive and functional products
• Safety considerations and proper tool and material handling techniques
• Constructing Professional Covers for Boats and Equipment:
• Measuring and templating techniques
• Patterning and layout strategies
• Cutting and sewing best practices for well fitted and durable covers
• Installation and finishing techniques for professional results.

We are super excited about our latest canvas offering! Here is your opportunity to take your boat canvas skills to the next level. Join us for two weeks of boat canvas training aimed at those looking to take a deep dive into canvas fabrication or are planning to pursue marine fabrication professionally. The marine industry needs more canvas professionals, many are 6+ months out and others a not accepting new clients. Come learn the skills needed for high-level canvas fabrication.

If you have any qustions, reach out to Mike! mike.reese@skagit.edu

Week 2: Advanced Marine Canvas Fabrication: Bimini Tops and Enclosures.

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.

• 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

• 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 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