SEMINARS: Tuesday, September 24 – Saturday, September 28, 2024

Registration and Seminar Location:
Courtyard Marriott – 1000 Aliceanna Street – 1st Floor Rooms A & B

Seminar Location #2 for a handful of courses: 
Homewood Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor
625 S. President Street | Baltimore, MD 21202, 2nd Floor Rooms: Chesapeake and Preakness.  

IN-WATER BOAT SHOW: 

Thursday, September 26, 10 am – 5 pm      Friday, September 27, 10 am – 5 pm        Saturday, September 28, 10 am – 4 pm

HARBOR EAST MARINA – 40 International Drive, Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 625-1700
General Admission: $15 in advance (Valid 1 day only)
Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM Thursday & Friday; 10AM – 4 PM Saturday

Interested in being an Exhibitor or Sponsor?
Contact Ryan Davidson (954) 328-7573 or [email protected]

VIP Packages Available

5-Day VIP: $625.00

The 5-Day VIP PACKAGE includes:
• General Admission to all Three (3) days of Trawlerfest’s In-Water Boat Show
• Unlimited access to seminars (Tuesday-Saturday)
• Entry for one (1) to Friday’s Trawlers at Twilight Party
• Value: $1145
Diesel Engine course, Electrical Troubleshooting, Maritime Medical Emergency Management Lecture and Hand-On, and Boat Handling on the Water are NOT available as part of the VIP package.

3-Day VIP: $525.00 

The 3-Day VIP PACKAGE includes:
• General Admission to Three (3) days of Trawlerfest’s In-Water Boat Show
• Unlimited access to seminars during 3 days
• Entry for one (1) to Friday’s Trawlers at Twilight Party
• Value: $645
Diesel Engine course, Electrical Troubleshooting , Maritime Medical Emergency Lecture and Hand-on, and Boat Handling on the Water are NOT included in the VIP package.

Evening Activity
Friday, September 27, 5:30 pm – 7 :30 Trawlers at Twilight Party 

Current Boat List Below. This will be updated weekly with additions. Lots more to come soon.

Free Sponsor Seminars with Valid Boat Show

 Ticket Join us for the following Sponsor Seminars:

1. Unique Features of Trawlers: with Wayne Goldman from Selene Yachts America – Tuesday Sept 24, 3 pm – 4 pm

A comprehensive understanding of why trawlers are ideal for long-term, liveaboard adventures and what features set them apart in the world of cruising vessels.

2. Navigating your Trawler Purchase: with Wayne Goldman from Selene Yachts America – Thursday, Sept 26, 1 pm -2 pm

 Build, Payment Terms, Taxes and Tariffs: A Comprehensive Guide


3. Designing Metal Boats with John Clayman from Seaton Yachts – Saturday, Sept 28, 11 am – 12 pm 

Presenting pros and cons of steel and Aluminum boat building.


 4.Stabilization for your Trawler Yacht and More with Patrick Noor from DMS 

 Dynamic Marine Systems (DMS Holland) are specialists in stabilization and roll reduction systems for Motor Yachts. This presentation will give background into its products and explain how DMS aims to provide the best stabilization solution for all motor and trawler yacht designs.


5. Financing and Insuring your Dream Boat with Sterling Associates and Total Dollar. Saturday, Sept 28, 2 pm – 3 pm,

 What you need to know about financing and insuring your boat. The requirements lenders will have, for insurance and financing. What you want to have to protect yourself on insurance and financing. Finance programs that fit your needs.


SEMINAR QUESTIONS:
Contact Donna at [email protected] or (954) 761-8777

Two Seminar Host Hotels

1. Hilton Garden Inn Baltimore Inner Harbor $145 per night
625 S. President Street | Baltimore, MD 21202, T 410-234-0065
Click here to book

2. Courtyard Baltimore Downtown/Inner Harbor
1000 Aliceanna Street | Baltimore, MD 21202   T 443.923.4000

Click here to book

PARKING INFO: Parking is available at the corner of President Street and Aliceanna Street next to the Four Seasons Hotel. The Harbor East Marina office will validate your parking which will make it $15 for the day


Tuesday Seminars September 24

Waves & Sea Drivers & Behaviors

Tuesday, Sept 24, 9 am – 11 am, with Chris Parker

Everything you really need to know about seas, and how to interpret seastate forecasts. Topics include: Define wave height and interval (period), Explore the concept of “apparent wave interval”, Why waves develop, How waves dissipate energy, How waves impact your vessel, How fast waves propagate, Multiple wave trains and their interaction (phasing of wave trains) How waves are influenced by currents, landmasses, shoaling and fetch.


 The Other Loop: The Down East Circle

Tuesday, Sept 24, 11 am – 1 pm with Steve Zimmerman

The Downeast Loop provides a unique combination of seaways and scenery. This journey takes you up the Hudson River, through the Erie Canal, into Lake Ontario, out the St. Lawrence River, and into the Atlantic Ocean, providing an enticing variety of conditions. Scenery includes the enchanting Thousand Islands region, a scenic fjord, the remote Magdalene Islands, the spectacular Bras d’Or Lake and Cape Breton, and the historic Atlantic side of Nova Scotia. This talk will provide practical information for those planning the trip, as well as beautiful photographs to whet your cruising appetite.           


   

 All Paws on Deck 

Tuesday, Sept 24, 11 am – 12 :30 pm, with Bob and Dori Arrington

The only thing better than long distance cruising, is long cruising with your four-legged friends. Our pets are part of of our family, and we wouldn’t consider being aboard without them. Join

experienced cruisers, Bob & Dori Arrington along with their Portuguese Water Dog Cali, as they

review how to safely cruise with your dog or cat. We’ll review pet first aid, safe boarding practices,

and accessories to have that will make life aboard with your pets easier and more enjoyable.


Working with a Marine Surveyor as a Buyer or Seller

Tuesday, Sept 24, 1 pm – 2 pm, with Scott Berg

Whether Buying or Selling a boat, you will probably be dealing with a Marine Surveyor. Independent Surveyors are essential in establishing the condition and value of a boat for the purposes of sale, financing, or insurance, and serve a critical role in major damage claims and subsequent repairs. Scott Richard Berg, a Marine Surveyor, Licensed Captain, and former long time owner of CHARDONNAY BOATWORKS shares how to go about the process of selecting a surveyor suited to your needs and working with them effectively. If you are buying, selling, financing, insuring, or recovering from a lightning strike or hurricane, this class will help you understand the Surveyors role in each situation and choosing the right one for your situation.


Docking & Close Quarters Boat Handling                                              

Tuesday, Sept 24, 2 pm – 5 pm, with Bob Arrington

Prerequisite for Boat Handling on the Water

The Boat Handling classroom session, combined with “Boat Handling on the Water” will help you develop skills in close quarters maneuvering and docking. You will learn how to prepare the boat for docking in a variety of situations, along with how to predict and adapt to wind and current. Taught by one of the best instructors in the business, Bob Arrington holds a USCG 100 Ton Masters License with over 40 years of practical experience at the helm. He enjoys sharing his passion for the water with new boaters, having taught boat handling skills in multiple venues for the past 25 years. Arrington also writes boat handling and cruising columns for Passagemaker and Power & Motoryacht magazines. The Tuesday session is all class time followed by five on-the-water sessions on Wednesday – Friday. 
SEPARATE REGISTRATION FOR ON-WATER SESSIONS REQUIRED


Boat Handling on the Water Wednesday – Friday

Not included in the VIP packages
Prerequisite: Docking and Principles of Close Quarters Boat Handling
Limit per session: 4-6
**Do not sign up for this class until you have registered for the Docking and Principles of Close Quarters Boat Handling.**
Location: Harbor East Marina

  • Session 1, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
    Session 2, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    Session 3, Thursday
    , Sept. 26, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
  • Session 4, Thursday Sept 26, 3 :00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Session 5, Friday, Sept. 27, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Seminars September 25

Diesel Engine Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Wednesday, Sept 25, 9 am – 4 pm, with Nigel Calder

Not included in VIP Package

The diesel engine is a critically important piece of safety equipment aboard any cruising boat. Tech guru Nigel Calder, author of the best-selling ‘Marine Diesel Engines’ (now in its 3rd edition, and used as a text book in numerous diesel classes) brings his broad experience to a seminar for boatowners, both power and sail, that want to get the most out of their time on the water. We will dive into a detailed look at fuel, oil, cooling, airflow, and powertrain systems, describing all normal maintenance procedures and including often overlooked critical installation issues. We will explore basic troubleshooting techniques for common diesel engine problems, defining what the untrained boatowner can reasonably be expected to do and what should not be attempted. You will come away from this seminar with an enhanced understanding of your engine and the confidence to carry out routine maintenance, which alone will save you the price of admission. No previous experience is required. Class size is limited.


Navigation & Charts

Wednesday, Sept 25, 9 am – 11 am with Bob Sweet

Confidence comes from always knowing where you are and how to safely get to your destination. That holds true for both skipper and mates. Even with electronics, a basic understanding of navigation is essential. This seminar provides a solid introduction to navigation using electronics, and the charts you use in conjunction with your GPS, chartplotter and other electronics.

GPS has totally changed how we navigate. However, on water, you are still the navigator. It is up to you to select safe paths to get to your destination, and then make sure you closely follow them. Your chartplotter is a great tool, but not necessarily easy to use. Everything is hidden in menus and submenus. We’ll demystify what your chartplotter is doing and how to get it to present what you need – and its limitations

Unfortunately, your chartplotter presents a small window to the world. You need to be aware of what is around you and your destination. That’s where companion charts and an sense of your surroundings to check your navigation just in case something goes awry. We’ll discuss some very simple techniques to do that.

Charts represent your basic source of information about directions to go and hazards to avoid. Fully understanding what the charts tell you is essential, be it on the screen or paper. Simple techniques use bearings to be charted, fixed objects to help assure your position.

Tides and currents impact your navigation and where and when you can traverse paths. We’ll discuss how they impact your boating and how to determine their effects at the time of your expected transit.

This seminar provides a solid introduction to coastal and inland navigation with an eye toward working with electronics, how to check it, and what to do if something goes awry.

The seminar is presented by the author of the book most used for instructing coastal and inland navigation, The Weekend Navigator. Bob directly led the development of the coastal navigation courses of the U.S. Power Squadrons and his book is also used by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in their course. He is also the author of GPS for Mariners. His mission has been to make navigation clear and understandable to all boaters.


Cruising the ICW

Wednesday, Sept 25, 9 am – 11 am, with Chris and Alyse Caldwell     

Heading south for the winter? This seminar will get you where you want to go. Ask Captain Chris to help you plot your course along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway from the Chesapeake Bay through mile marker zero in Norfolk, Va., all the way to the warms waters of Florida. Learn a few tips to keep you in the deeper channel and off the sandbars from experienced cruisers who traveled the route in many different size trawlers- with as deep as a 7 foot draft. There are details to explore such as tide, currents and drawbridges that are specific to cruising the Atlantic coast. Here’s a peek at where you may travel when it’s your turn to live the dream.


Weather Forecasts – Weather Apps

Wednesday, Sept 25, 11 am – 1 pm, with Chris Parker

Learn how to use (or how improve your use of) the best marine weather apps and other online resources, including:

Apps: Windy, Predict Wind, Pocket GRIB, Ventusky, Weather 4D, and any app you wish to discuss

Websites: SpotWx.com, TropicalTidbits.com, Weatherbell.com, and any website you wish to discuss

Learn the importance of using area (rather than point / spot) forecasts, selecting and comparing different models, and considering different weather forecast parameters (wind speed and direction, wind gusts, potential for convective winds, precipitation, fog, and the height, direction, and interval of various wave trains (wind-driven seas as well as swells).

Understand why you probably want to use the best weather app, separate from your navigation program.

This course assumes you have a basic understanding of marine weather – if not, then you will still find the course useful, but you will get more out of this course if you already have a basic understanding of marine weather.


Cruising Couple / A Newcomer’s Voyage: Sea Change Adventures

Wednesday, Sept 25, 11 am – 1 pm, with Matt & Michelle Virga

Setting the Scene: Meet “Sea Change,” our beloved 2006 Fleming 55, which we’ve proudly owned for nearly two years. After a shakedown cruise in the Chesapeake from April to September 2023, filled with massive learning curves and plenty of laughs, we set our sights on the Bahamas. Now, we’re back at our home port, reflecting on a journey that has transformed us from novices to seasoned cruisers, as we eagerly look forward to another season of cruising the East Coast and Bahamas this fall.

The Chesapeake Shakedown: April to September 2023: Our first adventure was a six-month cruise in the Chesapeake Bay. This was our classroom, where we learned the ins and outs of our trawler and the cruising lifestyle. From navigating tricky waters to mastering the boat’s systems, every day brought new challenges and triumphs.

Memorable Moments: Significant Fuel Leak: We quickly learned the importance of regular maintenance when we discovered a major fuel leak. After a few tense hours and some quick thinking, we managed to fix the problem and learned a valuable lesson about preparedness.

Good and Bad Captaining: From flawless navigation to a few “oops” moments, captaining “Sea Change” has been a blend of skill and learning.

Broken Stuff: It’s a boat; things break. We’ve dealt with everything from a faulty GPS to a broken anchor winch.

Beauty Along the Way: Despite the challenges, we’ve been rewarded with breathtaking sunsets, serene anchorages, incredible people and the simple joy of being on the water.

The Journey South: September 2023 to Today: At the end of September, we embarked on our voyage south to the Bahamas. This journey was marked by stunning scenery, new friendships, and the thrill of exploration. We returned to the US in April, though we would have loved to stay longer and explore more, but there is always next season!

Highlights: Buddy Boating: Traveling with friends added an extra layer of security and fun. We shared tips, meals, challenges and plenty of laughs.

Bahamas Beauty: The crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life of the Bahamas made every mile worth it. Snorkeling, fishing, and simply soaking in the sun were daily delights.

Unfortunate Seas: Not all days were smooth sailing. We encountered rough seas that tested our resolve and sea legs.

Cultural Encounters: We embraced the local culture, exploring small towns, tasting new foods, and making lasting memories.

Reflections on Our Journey: As newcomers to the cruising world, we’ve experienced a steep learning curve but also immense joy and satisfaction. Our adventures on “Sea Change” have brought us closer together and given us countless stories to share.

Inspirations for Fellow Newcomers:  Retiring with a Plan: Retiring on a boat requires planning and flexibility. It’s not always easy, but the rewards are immeasurable.

The Boat Buying Process: Buying a boat is a significant investment. We navigated the complexities with patience and research, ensuring we found the perfect vessel for our needs.

Cruising as Newcomers: Starting from scratch can be daunting, but every challenge is an opportunity to learn. Embrace the journey and enjoy the ride.

Expectations vs. RealityThere were things we expected, and many surprises we encountered. Having a flexible mindset is key!

We hope our story inspires others to take the plunge and explore the world of cruising, even if you’re starting from zero. It’s a journey filled with ups and downs, but the beauty, adventure and community make it all worthwhile.


Anchoring

Wednesday, Sept 25, 1 pm – 3 pm, with Bob Sweet

Anchoring is one of those skills you may never fully master, just get better at it. There are lots of variables in every anchoring situation. The choice of anchoring location is critical as is the gear you use to hold the boat. This comprehensive seminar covers your selection and deployment of anchors, rode and related gear based on your boat and prevailing conditions.

The anchor is the key. There are many designs available, but some work better in a particular sea floor. Sizing of the anchor and the rode that connects it to the boat is critical, as is the length of the scope deployed between boat and anchor. One thing we really want when we anchor our boat is to stay where we put it. But anchors can slip and winds and currents can rotate the boat’s pull. We’ll discuss guidelines for anchoring and gear sizing.

Anchors are expensive. We really want them back. We’ll discuss various techniques for retrieving your anchor. How many anchors should you carry? We’ll also discuss using two anchors under various conditions to better constrain and hold the boat.

There are a great number of anchor tests. Generally, the results are inconclusive and very location and conditions dependent. Any of a number of anchors will do the job for you. It’s a matter of which you should carry and use at any given time. We’ll share thoughts and demystify of the best choices for you to consider. This is a fun, interactive seminar where we can share our experiences and all get better at anchoring.


Trawler Buying Tips

Wednesday, Sept 25, 2 pm – 5 pm with moderator Jeff Merrill, CYBA

There is a lot you can prepare for to make sure you are ready when you find the right trawler to purchase. The goal of this seminar is to provide trawler buyers with important information you need to know up front to maximize your boat purchasing success. This is a “team teach” event with individual presentations leading to a group panel session at the end. The seminar leads off with boatbuilder Steve Zimmerman helping you determine which hull form is best for the type of cruising you intend. Hull form matters and you want to select the right design. Captains Chris and Alyse Caldwell have lived and cruised aboard their own trawler for 20 years. They provide yacht services, training videos on docking, locking, anchoring and many other essential skills required to build your cruising confidence. Cindy Lewis from Sterling Associates will discuss marine loan financing. John Posey from Total Dollar Insurance will help you understand the current boat insurance market. JP Skov, CPYB from YBAA (Yacht Brokers Association of America), will discuss the importance of choosing a qualified broker to guide you through the buying process. Jeff Merrill, CPYB (Trawlerfest veteran presenter for over 20 + years) will moderate the discussion and try to keep the panelists and audience on track so that when we wrap up you will have some great background on the trawler buying process.


Thursday Seminars September 26

Electrical Systems and Trouble Shooting

Thursday, Sept 26, 9 am – 3 pm with Nigel Calder

Not included in VIP packages

Electrical systems are now the number one cause of problems on boats that have anything more than a rudimentary electrical system. Most problems can be traced to inadequate design and/or poor installation. Tech guru Nigel Calder, author of the best-selling ‘Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual’ (now in its fourth edition) will begin with a description of key design criteria that must be met if a DC system is to meet the needs of the boatowner. In the process, we will reference some of the newer technologies that are likely to transform the performance of electrical systems in coming years. Then we will delve into basic installation requirements that comply with boatbuilding and safety standards, but which unfortunately are often not met. This includes the important, and often neglected, provision of adequate over-current protection. We will round out the day by looking at simple multimeter troubleshooting techniques that can be safely conducted by any boat owner. This seminar is designed for the inexperienced and requires no prior knowledge although it will be challenging for some. It will help you understand your own electrical systems and to nip many common problems in the bud. Class size is limited.


Galley Tips Provisions for Your Pleasure Cruise

Thursday, Sept 26, 9 am – 11 am, with Chris and Alyse Caldwell

Planning a weekend trip? Maybe cruising for a few months? Captain Alyse will share ideas, shortcuts and hints that will make your time in the galley another fun adventure. All of our galley recipes are easy to make and can work perfectly in the small confines of a one burner stove or toaster oven and one small square foot of counter space….as well as in the spacious galley of a large cruiser. We will help you consider storage and trash options too. With the right tools and the right attitude everything tastes better on a boat.


Boating with Electronics

Thursday, Sept 26, 9 am – 11 am, with Bob Sweet

Electronics have vastly improved boating. This seminar provides an overview of the electronic devices available to you to help you select, install, and use them. Unfortunately, available manufacturers’ data and manuals are often lacking and confusing. We’ll help unravel the mysteries and make it easier for you to use these tools to your advantage.

Some devices such as chartplotters, radar and sounders need to be compatible models from the same manufacturer in order to work together. Other electronics can be from any manufacturer. This seminar in not brand-specific. We’ll give you some guidelines for making selections that will work for you. We’ll talk about what’s new and what you should consider if you choose to add gear on your boat.

We’ll also provide important tips and tricks for using these devices. Manufacturers compete with each other to offer more “features.” However, while they might make nice screen candy, they may or may not be useful. You have a lot to do as skipper, monitoring your electronics should help you, not demand your attention.

Today’s electronics make extensive use of virtual buttons, and functions are buried in a menu system which may not be intuitive. Most boaters really need a limited set of functions and want to learn how to quickly access them when needed. We’ll talk about setting up the main display for charting and radar.

This will a good chance to share experiences and ask questions to help focus you use of your electronics and make you a more informed buyer when selecting and having electronics installed on your boat, and when setting them up for use.

The seminar is presented by the author of the book on electronic navigation.


The Big U

Thursday, Sept 26, 11 am – 1 pm, with Eric Bescoby

In the boating glossary, the Big U refers to the u-shaped route that takes cruisers from Alaska to Maine (and vice-versa). It’s not crossing an ocean exactly, but it is an 8,000 nm journey that leads vessels through two oceans, the rough Western Caribbean and the Panama Canal for starters, not exactly an itinerary for the casual boater. While others seek to explore Europe and Asia to get their fill of history and geography, Eric Bescoby opted to do a deep dive of his own back yard in his Nordhavn 40. It was done almost by accident, the result of Bescoby’s “what’s next?” approach once he’d completed one cruising ground, and then another.

In this program he’ll cover:

  • The Decision
  • The Numbers
  • The Route and stops
  • U.S. Eastern Seaboard – The History Lessons
  • Big adventures
  • Challenges
  • The aftermath

Sanitary Systems – Drinking Water, Sewage System, Air Conditioners and more!

Thursday, Sept 26, 11 am – 1 pm, with Chris and Alyse Caldwell

This might not be your dream topic, but your Sanitary Systems are the foundation of every successful boat trip. Potable drinking water, holding tanks, hoses and capacity of all that you can carry are essential considerations. Learn about toilet systems and what you need to do to keep it flushing. What’s that noise? And what’s that smell? Let’s hope it’s coming from the cookies you’re baking and not your sanitary systems in distress. Learn what you can do to keep your boat smelling fresh and your crew happy. To flush or not to flush. That is the question! Ask Captain Chris.


Avoiding Collisions using Radar, AIS & You

Thursday, Sept 26, 1 pm – 3 pm, with Bob Sweet

Your worst nightmare is a potential collision. Avoiding collisions forms the basis for the navigation rules, but we worry about whether other boaters know the rules or even follow them. Collisions are not limited to just other boats as you can potentially strike a fixed object, This puts you in a somewhat defensive posture, but there are tools to help you stay safe.

We explain those tools and how best to use them. You need a lookout. Your eyes are your first line of defense. First, we explain the navigation rules in a way that makes them easy to understand and follow. What do you do when someone is not responding as you expect? A few key strategies will give you the best advantage in an interaction with other boats.

Electronics can help significantly, but they must do so with minimal interruption to your primary tasks of lookout and operating the boat. The two best electronic tools for the job are radar and AIS. We explain how to use them effectively.

Radar is an essential tool in keeping tabs on other boats and obstacles. Radar forms your electronic eyes around the boat, above the water. Many cruisers have radar, but do you really know how to use it to your best advantage? We’ll explain. You need to understand what you are seeing on the radar screen and how to deal with dynamic situations. Some radar designs and tools are best for the job, we’ll explain.

The one radar deficiency is positively identifying a target. You may see an object, but do you know what/who it is? That’s where AIS comes in. For those vessels, navigation aids, and services that transmit AIS signals, you have a definitive resource to help you communicate, and/or avoid problems and predict what you should do. AIS is evolving, both in equipment and uses as an essential device to have aboard. The most common transceivers available for boaters, Class B, has changed, you need to know how to deal with the older and newer versions. At a minimum, you should have an AIS receiver to view other boats and resources. All of this will be explained.


Navigating Your Trawler Purchase

Thursday, Sept 26, 1 pm – 2 pm with Wayne Goldman from Selene Yachts America 

Free Sponsor Seminar with Valid Show Ticket

Join us as we illuminate the path to understanding the intricacies of the new trawler yacht purchase process. This talk offers invaluable insights into many facets of purchasing a new trawler, from identifying your specific needs and setting a suitable budget to navigating negotiations with dealers and salespeople. Learn how to effectively inspect and evaluate trawlers, understand the nuances of contracts and payment terms and plan for the responsibilities of trawler ownership. Covering the process, from selecting the right size and options to taking delivery and conducting sea trials, this talk equips you with the knowledge needed to confidently make informed decisions aligned with your boating goals.


Maritime Medical Emergency Management Lecture

Thursday, Sept 26, 1 pm – 4 pm, with Dr Robert Leviton

Not included in the VIP Package

Stuck Between Port Destinations – On the Hook When a Medical Emergency Arises

Will you be prepared, what will you do?

With 30+ years practicing Emergency Medicine, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at NY Medical College, and medical director for US Sailing Disabled Sailing Regattas, Dr. Leviton will share countless stories and much needed practical information to survive the most common emergencies allowing you to be on your way to complete your journey.

During this presentation participants will gain in depth understanding of the

following:

• Introduction to Maritime Medical Emergency Preparedness

• Sprains, Strains and Fractures

• Marine Bites and Stings

• Allergic Reactions

• Cuts Scrapes and Lacerations (including nose bleed)

• Concussion

• Sea Sickness and Near Drowning

• Environmental Emergency’s (Dehydration/Hypothermia)

• Choking

• Stroke and TIA

• Preparing You Emergency Medical Kit

Dr. Robert Leviton has over 30 years of experience in Emergency Medicine as a practicing physician, as well as Chairman of urban academic and community hospital emergency departments. Dr. Leviton is board certified in Emergency Medicine (American Board of Emergency Medicine) and Clinical Informatics (American Board of Preventive Medicine). He is currently the Physician Advisor at New York Health and Hospitals, Metropolitan Hospital where he also is clinically active teaching emergency medicine resident physicians and managing patient’s care.

Dr. Leviton’s professional Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness work include 12 years as the Medical Director for the Nassau County Fire, Police, and EMS Academy; he served as Physician Advisor to the Department of Defense and Veterans Administration during Desert Shield / Desert Storm developing mass care triage programs; was appointed as a Board Advisor to the National Emergency Training Center; then joined the Joint Commission accrediting hospitals, leading their teams developing standards for hospital emergency management and preparedness. Most recently, Dr. Leviton served as the Medical Director for the COVID Pandemic Medical Screening Annex, where his teams managed 100-200+ patients daily during the beginning through the height of the Pandemic.

Sailing his O’Day 32, “Tiramisu” in the waters of the Long Island Sound, Robert has served the US Sailing Association, Disabled Sailing Committee, as their lead National Classification Trainer and has sailed with disabled sailors in San Diego, Galveston, Port Charlotte, Newport, Nova Scotia, Kinsale, and his home New York waters as the Chief Medical Officer for the Robie Pierce One Design Regatta for over 15 years.


The Great Loop: How to Prepare, What to Expect

Thursday, Sept 26, 2 pm – 5 pm, with Kim Russo

The first hour of this seminar sets the foundation for the Great Loop by providing the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the route and how to cruise it and covering some of the Great Loop’s stats. We’ll include details on distances, clearances, route options, locks, and Loop-capable boats. Then, we’ll take you on a tour of the route using photos submitted by Loopers. You’ll get a great idea of the types of things you’ll see and do along the way and what are likely to be the highlights of the journey. During the second hour, we’ll be joined by veteran Loopers who will share the stories of their Great Loop adventures and give you the best tips they learned along the way. The final hour focuses on how you can get started planning your own Great Loop adventure, including what to bring and what to leave behind, how to organize life aboard, how to stay in touch while cruising, popular apps among Loopers, and much more. We’ll wrap up with a question-and-answer session to address whatever topics are left unanswered during the presentation.


How to Buy a Used Boat as told by the Boatyard

Thursday, Sept 26, 3 pm – 5 pm with Steve Zimmerman 

This talk provides a unique perspective on the boat buying process. Boatyards usually become involved AFTER the checks have been cashed and the boat changes hands. Too often the buyer finds out what he should have known before the purchase. This seminar will give you the tools you need to understand how the game is played, what questions to ask, and how identify the right kind of boat for your plans. This is a practical workshop, delving into the bilges of the boat buying process. Topics include: How to identify the best design type for your plans using a Boat Selection Matrix

Understanding the brokerage process and how it has changed. The role of a marine surveyor and how to find a good one. Interpreting survey findings and post-survey negotiations.


Friday Seminars September 27

How to Maintain a Cruising Powerboat –   Day  1

Friday, Sept 27, 9 am – 12 pm & Saturday, Sept 28, 9 am – 12 pm with Steve Zimmerman

Steve Zimmerman has been building and repairing boats for more than 40 years. Steve is the president of Zimmerman Marine and oversees the operations of their six boatyards. Participants will spend two days with Steve, learning how to avoid costly errors and how to maximize the reliability of their boats.

Day 1: Whether you want to take care of your own maintenance or plan to have a yard take care of it, this two day intensive will prepare you well. Here is a sample of the questions to be addressed:

• What causes blisters and what should I do if my boat has them?

• How often should I wax the gelcoat?

• Should I use zinc or aluminum anodes?

• How can I tell if my boat has stray current corrosion?

• Can I get a shock from swimming around my boat?

• What kind of shaft seal works best?

• How can I tell if my boat has the right propeller?

• What is an isolation transformer and do I need one?

Day 2:

• How to inspect and maintain your running gear, including props, shafts, and shaft seals

• Corrosion prevention

• Understanding modern fiberglass boat construction and repairs, including blister repairs, gelcoat maintenance, and core materials

• Shore power principles and safety

• Gelcoat Maintenance and core materials

• Bottom paints

• Sealants and adhesives – proper selection and application


Locking Through & Drawbridge Etiquette

Friday, Sept 27, 9 am – 11 am, with Chris and Alyse Caldwell

If you plan to cruise the Great Loop or are just curious about how you can navigate your own boat through a Lock or a Draw Bridge, this is your seminar!

Captain Chris will teach you how to contact the lock or bridge and safely navigate through. We will show you how to enter and secure the boat in a variety of lock designs and mooring styles and explore the many different types of bridges and how each may effect your cruising. We will cover VHF radio communication with a lock/bridge tender, including proper terminology and how to determine the correct channel. We will help you learn about bridge and lock schedules and where to find them. It’s important to understand how the height of your boat, the tide level, wave action and current flow all can influence your travel as you encounter these marvels. We’ve included some surprises you may never have anticipated.


The Great Loop: How to Prepare, What to Expect

Friday, Sept 27, 9 am – 12 pm, with Kim Russo

The first hour of this seminar sets the foundation for the Great Loop by providing the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the route and how to cruise it and covering some of the Great Loop’s stats. We’ll include details on distances, clearances, route options, locks, and Loop-capable boats. Then, we’ll take you on a tour of the route using photos submitted by Loopers. You’ll get a great idea of the types of things you’ll see and do along the way and what are likely to be the highlights of the journey. During the second hour, we’ll be joined by veteran Loopers who will share the stories of their Great Loop adventures and give you the best tips they learned along the way. The final hour focuses on how you can get started planning your own Great Loop adventure, including what to bring and what to leave behind, how to organize life aboard, how to stay in touch while cruising, popular apps among Loopers, and much more. We’ll wrap up with a question-and-answer session to address whatever topics are left unanswered during the presentation.


Dialing In Your Trawler

Friday, Sept 27, 12 pm – 2 pm, with Jeff Merrill, CYBA          

Over thirty years working with cruising clients and through his experiences on hundreds of trawlers, yacht broker Jeff Merrill has amassed a collection of good ideas that will help take some of the guesswork out of tracking various systems and equipment onboard your trawler. These are effective techniques that trawler owners are using to better monitor their vessels and they apply to most power cruising boats. It helps your awareness if you are observant and use quick reference reminders. Simple tips, like marking lines on your engine mounts, lines for tracking needles on analog gauges, color coding your anchor chain and many other common-sense tips make this an engaging and informative session.


Bluewater Boats that are Good for Loopers, Too

Friday, Sept 27, 12 pm – 1 pm with John Clayman

Would-be cruisers often ask, “What do I need to look for in a boat for The Great Loop,” as if maybe they didn’t intent to cruise anywhere else. And maybe some do not. The Loop is a magnificent adventure, usually with land to starboard and port, but there are plenty of boats that do a great job on inland waters that can also go offshore and even cross an ocean. The Great Loop is a magnificent adventure in and of itself, but there are affordable boats that can do both the Erie Canal and the Atlantic Ocean in comfort and safety. John Clayman, president of Seaton Yachts with tens of thousands of ocean miles under his belt, will review the particular requirements for Great Looping and for more strenuous cruising. He will provide examples of dual-purpose vessels for every budget. Donning his yacht broker cap, Clayman will also discuss how to find and purchase the best boat for your needs. There will be ample time to respond to questions about design, construction, surveys and the purchase process.


Cruising Florida

Friday, Sept 27, 1 pm – 3 pm, with Bob Arrington

Florida is a cruising destination for boaters from around the world, and why not, the peninsula-state has almost 9,000 miles of shoreline and is surrounded on three sides by The Atlantic Ocean, The Gulf of Mexico and the Straights of Florida. While Florida is a single state, it has distinctly different boating environments. Join our resident cruising authority, Bob Arrington as he reveals the best Florida has to offer. In this program he will cover:

• Atlantic ICW versus Gulf ICW

• Coastal cruising and offshore waters

• Managing the Gulf stream

• Best inlets

• Transiting the Okeechobee Waterway

• Manatee zones, seasons, and speed restrictions

• The Keys – top to bottom, inside and out


Maritime Medical Emergency Management: Hands-On Suture and Splinting Skills and Techniques

Friday, Sept 27, 1 pm – 5 pm, with Dr Robert Leviton

Price includes personal 5-piece suture kit, suture material, latex skin, and video links.

Not included in the VIP package.

Participants will learn about the structure of skin and bone, wound and bone healing, and steps taken to control bleeding stabilize injuries, before receiving definitive medical treatment.

Your crewmate is bleeding, and compression alone is not stopping the hemorrhage, what do you do? During this session sailors will learn how to clean wounds while draping and prepping the injury, then learn how to hold and use surgical instruments, when to apply steri-strips, skin staples, or skin glue, and wound closure techniques from simple interrupted sutures to the vertical and horizontal mattress techniques.

Following this hands-on session, we’ll continue with the basics of splinting skills and techniques applying elastic bandages, short arm and leg splints, buddy taping fingers and toes, and stabilizing complex long bone fractures.


Ask the Experts: Town Hall

Friday, Sept 27, 3 pm – 5 pm, with moderator Jeff Merrill, CPYB

In this “town hall” event, our panel of veteran cruisers will field audience questions on a wide-range of topics, sea stories always resulting. Jeff Merrill, the moderator, is a yacht broker, author and trawler specialist with thousands of cruising miles with clients. Steve Zimmerman will discuss repairs and boatyards from the point of view of both a cruiser and boatyard owner. Capt Bob Arrington enjoys sharing his passion for the water with new boaters, having taught boat handling skills in multiple venues for the past 25 years. Scott Berg joins us with his 35 years of experience as a technical marine professional. Patrick Noor form DMS discusses stabilization solutions for your cruising adventures …


Saturday Seminars September 28

How to Maintain a Cruising Powerboat Day 2

Sept 28, 9 am – 12 pm with Steve Zimmerman


Safety for Cruising Couples

Saturday, Sept 28, 9 am – 12 pm, with Bob Arrington

This popular program originally developed by the Cruising Club of America, helps couples work better together during challenging situations. You will learn confidence building skills, specifically geared towards how to prepare for onboard emergencies. The course will cover the most important skills you would need if you had to over command of the boat. This kind of training is like insurance for emergencies – you hope you won’t need it, but you will be glad you have it. The course covers a range of essential boating safety practices, with particular emphasis on completing a safe voyage as a couple.

Safety for Cruising Couples Topics Include:

• Importance of Teamwork and Confidence Building

• Dealing with Emergencies

• Person Overboard and Recovery Skills

• Basic boat skills necessary to know in an emergency

• Know Before You Go: GPS, VHF, Using Charts and Chart-plotters

• Navigation and Safety Equipment

• Getting Help DSC Distress Communications

• Preparing yourself and your boat

• Additional Resources and Checklists https://sas.cruisingclub.org/scc


An Introduction to Identifying and Mitigating Corrosion in the Marine Element  

  Saturday, Sept 28, 9 am – 11 am, with Scott Berg                                                                                                    

Few conditions strike more fear in the average boater than stray current corrosion. Unlike its more benign cousin, galvanic corrosion, stray, or electrolytic corrosion can destroy external metal and sink a boat in a matter of days. This presentation, by ABYC Certified Corrosion Technician Scott Richard Berg, will cover those conditions, as well as simple, crevice, poultice, and deposit corrosion in the marine environment. It introduces methods of preventing, identifying, and resolving the issues that can cause catastrophic metal loss below the waterline. Topics will include hull potential surveys, visual inspection techniques, sacrificial anode material and placement, impressed current systems, and more.


Designing Metal Boats

Saturday, Sept 28, 11 am – 12 pm with John Clayman 

Why a steel or aluminum trawler could be your best choice? John Clayman, President of Seaton Yachts will present the pros & cons of steel and aluminum boat building specific to trawlers. John has decades of experience in design & construction worldwide. His firm is partnered with Vripack Design in the Netherlands where they build their steel / aluminum Doggersbanks and Steeler Yachts. The Dutch are renowned for their expertise in metal construction.

Offshore Preparations

Saturday, Sept 28, 12 pm – 2 pm, with Jeff Merrill, CYPB

Unless you are going to stay tied up at your home marina, you will eventually want to cruise aboard your trawler offshore. There are a lot of details to consider in your preparation and this course will help you learn what to expect, and/or remind you what it is like. Jeff Merrill is in his twentieth year as a TrawlerFest presenter and as a veteran trawler yacht broker, he has enjoyed spending time with many of his customers after the purchase and, as a result, has amassed an informative and entertaining collection of photos, ideas, lessons and stories to share involving going offshore. Merrill will touch on safety, planning, weather, navigation, pilothouse operations, engine room checks and more.


Stabilization for your Trawler Yacht and More with Patrick Noor from DMS

Saturday, Sept 28,1 pm – 2 pm with Patrick Noor

Free Sponsor Seminar Valid with Show Ticket                  Dynamic Marine Systems (DMS Holland) are specialists in stabilization and roll reduction systems for Motor Yachts. This presentation will give background into its products and explain how DMS aims to provide the best stabilization solution for all motor and trawler yacht designs.


Financing and Insuring your Dream Boat 

Saturday, Sept 30, 2 pm – 3 pm, with Sterling Associates and Total Dollar

Free Sponsor Seminar with Valid Show Ticket

What you need to know about financing and insuring your boat. The requirements lenders will have, for insurance and financing. What you want to have to protect yourself on insurance and financing. Finance programs that fit your needs.