Nigel Calder is back from cruising the coast of Ireland and he’s getting ready to teach our diesel engine seminar at TrawlerFest-Bay Bridge Marina, which begins Sept. 29. There are only 10 seats left in the class.
This is not the only diesel engine course for boaters, but it is the only diesel engine course for boaters taught by Calder, the renown author/researcher, and veteran boatbuilder and yard operator Steve Zimmerman. Calder’s status is such that when he makes an observation about engine performance, the engine manufacturers themselves pay attention. He has become something of a one-man skunk works for propulsion innovation.
This two-day session, “Everything You Need To Know About Diesel Engines,” combines classroom time with hands-on engine time in the shop. It combines theory and practical troubleshooting instruction, and it does so with a touch of humor to keep things lively. Attendees will receive a certificate of completion that in some cases may help save some money on their boat insurance.
It is also worthy of note that unlike most other engine instructors both Calder and Zimmerman are real-deal cruisers, who bring this perspective to the curriculum. Before you sign on to any other diesel course, ask the organizers how many years of long-distance cruising its instructors have done.
The TrawlerFest boat show and seminar series happens at Bay Bridge Marina Yacht Club on Kent Island at the foot of Maryland’s magnificent Tuesday through Sunday, Sept. 29-Oct. 4. The boat show runs Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 1-4, and includes booths displaying marine products and services.
(DIESEL SEMINAR LOCATION NOTE: The diesel engine seminar is not happening at the main TrawlerFest site. This seminar is happening at Herrington Harbour North Marina, 389 Deale Road, Tracy’s Landing, MD. Herrington Harbor North is a 20- to 25-minute drive south of Annapolis. The reason for offsite venue is simple: Zimmerman Marine operates within the boat yard Herrington Harbour North, thus its facilities are ideal for the hands-on portion of the course. The classroom portion of the seminar will be conducted in a conference room upstairs from the on-site West Marine store, and this is where attendees will register on the first morning of the course.)
The diesel seminar is the longest course offering. Three others are the equivalent of one eight-hour day, though they are held over two mornings. Six are all-morning affairs (four hours). One is all afternoon (four hours). And 15 are short courses, at two-hours.
MESSAGE TO SAILORS
Nearby Annapolis is known as the “Sailing Capital of the United States.” Here’s a message to Bay Sailors: Even though the event is called TrawlerFest, and its brought to you by PassageMaker magazine, the diesel engine seminar is “propulsion agnostic.” That is, it’s lessons apply equally to sailor with auxiliary diesel engines.
