Tech Whiz Returns to Rhode Island
Author and researcher Nigel Calder returns to Rhode Island for the first time in a decade to deliver two technical seminars in his inimitable style. Calder’s books Marine Diesel Engines and Mechanical & Electrical Manual have saved many a mariner who found himself in a dilemma but was wise enough to carry them on board as references.
The Cruiserport University seminar series is part of the Newport International Boat Show, Calder and others will present their seminars at the funky Newport Blues Cafe, which is directly across Thames Street from the show.
Calder, an Englishman by birth, Mainer by choice and storyteller by inclination, will present “Diesel Engines: Maintenance & Troubleshooting” all day on Wednesday, Sept. 14, beginning at 8:30 a.m. ($240) His seminar “Troubleshooting Electrical Systems” will be taught over two mornings on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 15-16, also beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Attendees for the diesel and systems seminars will receive a certificate of completion that may help attendees earn a discount from their insurer.
Calder will also join AIM Marine Cuba specialist Peter Swanson from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Thursday to discuss how to take you boat to Cuba legally and what you will find when you get there. Calder is author of one of the oldest books on boaters about the island nation, titled Cuba: A Cruising Guide.
Weather Basics for Boaters
Jeremy Davis, operations manager at Weather Routing Inc., will discuss weather basics, reading weather maps, how to interpret forecasts and using a meteorologist. He will also review the myriad forecast delivery services and systems and advise on how to choose the best one for your cruising style. Davis provides consulting weather forecasts, reports and routing advice to thousands of marine clients worldwide and has issued more 30,000 customized forecast products since 2000, including ocean crossings, day trips, regattas, rallies and fishing tournaments. This seminar is intended for new or inexperienced boaters and should give attendees the confidence and knowledge to make go/no-go or go-back decisions. Thursday, Sept. 15, 12:45-2:45 p.m. Certificate of Completion. $60.
Rum, Rhumba & Revolution: Go To Cuba Legally With or Without Your Boat.
Just back from Cuba where he ran AIM Marine first Rallies to Cuba program, Peter Swanson will help attendees navigate the regulatory waters of travel to Cuba. Cruising guide author Nigel Calder describes each section of the 1,700-mile shoreline based on his own circumnavigation. Thursday, Sept. 15, 3:00-5:00 p.m. $60.
Navigation for Husbands & Wives
Are you truly confident that you always know where you are and how to get to your destination? Whether you’re new to navigation or just want to get up to speed with the latest technology, this mini-course is for you. Instructor Bob Sweet is a senior navigator and author of The Weekend Navigator, GPS for Mariners, Using GPS, Using GPS with Charts,and consultant to OceanGrafix. Sweet’s seminar is a comprehensive “quick start” guide to navigation. You’ll learn the essential skills from planning a cruise, through navigating it and checking along the way. You will learn how to use conventional charts with your electronics in a complementary way to ease your navigation tasks and ensure your safe arrival at your destination. You’ll also learn some neat tricks for adjusting your navigation along the way and making your task a lot easier. You will learn about tides and currents and how to adjust to them. This also is a great course for m
ates and crew who would like to share in the navigation. You will get to work with real charts and some plotting tools on a simulated mini-cruise. Friday, Sept. 16, 12:45-2:45 p.m. Certificate of completion. $60
Hot News About Marine Radar
For marine radar, World War II is over…finally. Marine author and trainer Bob Sweet will discuss the recent and rapid rise of solid-state multi-frequency radar and the demise of pulse technology originally developed during the Battle of Britain, and what this means for today’s radar consumers and operators. Sweet will share the theory and practical tips that participants can use to get the most from their radars. Now is truly the time for a radar seminar. Friday, Sept. 16, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Certificate of completion. $60
The Great Loop: How To Prepare, What To Expect
Boaters who circumnavigate the East Coast of U.S., using the Hudson River, Erie Canal, Great Lakes, Mississippi River and Intracoastal Waterway are called “Loopers” for having completed “The Great Loop.” Kim Russo, executive director of the American Great Loop Cruisers Association, will give a detailed briefing with
plenty of time to answer questions. She will address which boats are most suitable and how to budget. She’ll also intersperse her seminar with brief presentations
made by association members who have completed the route, a.k.a. “Gold Loopers.” Saturday, Sept. 17, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.. $120.
The Physics & Psychology of Hull Shape
Avoid expense and humiliation. Don’t be the guy who buys a slow trawler then gets frustrated by its 8-knot cruising speed, repowers with bigger motors to no effect, then sues the boatbuilder and loses. The buyer lacked self-knowledge and failed to understand the consequences of hull shape. This seminar, with naval architect Lou Codega, is for people who are trying to decide what kind of boat is right for them. The very first decision is to determine what kind of boating you intend to do, and then buy a boat with the appropriate hull. Codega has designed sportfish boats, trawler yachts, Coast Guard ships and one of the Naval SEAL raiders. He is Mr. Hull. Saturday, Sept. 17, 12:45-2:45 p.m. $60.
Onboard Communications & Entertainment
Satellite communications and satellite television keep you connected to the world when you’re out of range of terrestrial systems. Paul Comyns, a
veteran marine electronics expert, outlines what is available, how these systems work in layman’s terms, what to expect and how to ask for the right things. There are many new services coming online and Comyns will share what he thinks works best for live-aboard cruisers. He will also explain antenna placement and how to maximize the performance of the systems onboard. Saturday, Sept. 17 3:00-5:00 p.m. $60.
VIP Pass Option
The best value is to purchase a VIP pass for $375, which entitles the purchaser to attend all seminars except Nigel Calder’s diesel and systems seminars. It’s the equivalent of spending $480 for seminars al a carte.
