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.