For Yacht Builders, Buyers, and Owners: 🔐Marine Master Classes

It's Going To Be a Long, Cold Winter...

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:03:48 GMT

Most operating problems on a boat can be traced to its electrical system. Water — especially seawater — and electrical components are not comfortable companions. And introducing vibration into the mix, when running, makes things worse.

Of all the failures that occur in boats and yachts, electrical malfunctions, due to one cause or another, are by far the most common. Yet, they are among the most readily prevented and corrected, that is, if you know what you’re doing.

Confidently troubleshoot most electrical problems (or install your newest holiday electronics) on your own. Even if you’re not a DIY kinda boater, speak with confidence with your boatyard or mobile tech.

BoatHowTo Electrics 101 and Advanced Electrics are taught by Nigel Calder and Jan Athenstädt, acknowledged experts who have fifty years combined experience in boat and yacht electrics. The courses they’ve created can lead you from being an electrical neophyte to a skilled journeyman-level boat electrician.

Enroll at BoatHowTo

Electrics 101 is packed with practical insight and real-world experience. Sixty-plus self-paced core video lessons take you from the basics of electricity through to systems design, installation, maintenance, and repair. Bonus lessons discuss topics such as alternative energy, LED lighting, and Lithium batteries.

For those who want to step up (including boatyard techs) BoatHowTo’s Advanced Marine Electrics reaches beyond basic DC systems to such topics as generators and AC current aboard, corrosion prevention, lightning protection, digital switching systems, and electric propulsion.

Working professionals can obtain supplementary continuing education credits (CEUs) and official certification.

Master your boat’s electrical system. Enroll today.

Enroll at BoatHowTo

— Fair winds and safe harbors from Phil Friedman and Port Royal Marketing

[Sponsored Content]

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Power Up Your Mastery of Boat Electrics

Phil Friedman — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Sponsored Content - from Port Royal Marketing

Most operating problems on a boat can be traced to its electrical system. Water — especially seawater — and electrical components are not comfortable companions. And introducing vibration into the mix,when running, makes things worse.

The antidote to these common operating problems comes in the form of sound design, skillful installation, and sensible maintenance. Which, unfortunately when it comes to boat and yacht electrical systems, are too often in short supply. Notwithstanding widespread knowledge of, and reference to marine industry standards such as those of ABYC and ISO, far too many production boats still come from their manufacturers with poorly thought out and less than optimally installed electrics. And if your boat or yacht is more than ten years old … well, enough said.

Admittedly, the situation is much improved these days over what it was, say twenty years or more ago. But the recreational marine industry could, as a whole, do significantly better, and some boat owners find themselves feeling frustrated and, at times, even anxious when their boat’s lights flicker, the bilge pump fails, the GPS goes down, or the engine won't turn over.

If that sounds uncomfortably familiar, take a moment to imagine what it would be like to really understand your boat's vital electrical system or be able to confidently troubleshoot most problems on your own. Even if you’re not a DIY kinda guy, wouldn’t it be great to at least know whether or not you’re getting a good job, fairly priced from a boatyard or a mobile tech?

The irony of the situation is that, of all the failures suffered in boats and yachts, electrical malfunctions, due to one cause or another, are by far the most common. Yet, they are among the most readily prevented and corrected ― if, that is, you know what you’re doing. And if you follow the accepted standards of the industry which have emerged over the past couple decades — such as those propogated by ABYC in North America or ISO in Europe.

Boat Electrics 101 is taught by Nigel Calder and Jan Athenstädt, acknowledged experts who have fifty years combined experience in boat and yacht electrics. And the course they’ve created can guide you reliably on your journey from being a concerned neophyte to emerging as a skilled, knowledgeable journeyman-level boat electrician.

Enroll in BoatHowTo

This course isn’t just about textbook theory; it’s packed with practical insight and real-world experience. Sixty-three self-paced core video lessons (plus quizzes, transcript, notes, and bonus material), lead students from the basics of electricity through to systems design, installation, maintenance, and repair. Bonus lessons discuss topics such as alternative energy, LED lighting, and Lithium batteries.

Boat Electrics 101 covers foundational topics, such as wiring selection, assembling proper connections, protecting vulnerable equipment from splashes and rain, battery selection and efficiency-enhancing installations, as well as how to perform safe and durable equipment installations.

After working through their basic course, a student will be in a position to:

Assess his or her boat's systems regarding potential safety hazards.
Fix and maintain the boat’s electrics like an expert.
Save money by either doing the work themself or by understanding the scope of work and avoiding being overcharged by a boatyard or a contractor..
Stay up to date on advances in technology which optimize efficiency and reliability.

For those who want to step up beyond the 100-level (including boatyard techs already working with electrical systems) BoatHowTo’s Advanced Marine Electrics course is comprised of 13 modules that reach well beyond basic DC systems to such topics as generators and AC current aboard, corrosion prevention, lightning protection, digital switching systems, and electric propulsion.

Together Boat Electrics 101 and its follow up course, Advanced Marine Electrics, constitute a complete, structured training program in boat and yacht electrics for both DIY enthusiasts and marine industry professionals. Additionally, working professionals can obtain supplementary continuing education credits (CEUs) and official certification.

All electrical techniques taught in BoatHowTo courses conform to ABYC E-11 and the ISO 13297 standards, which cover the principal electrical systems on small craft in North America and Europe.

To date, reportedly more than 1,200 students have passed through BoatHowTo electrics courses, both basic and advanced combined. And the courses are very reasonably priced — especially if you bundle the Electrics 101 with the Advanced Marine Electrics.

So, if you’re interested in leveling up your electrics acumen, use the button below to begin your journey to mastery of your boat’s electrical system, today. Sooner is always better than later.

— Fair winds and safe harbors

Enroll in BoatHowTo

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Marine Master Classes: an Overview

Phil Friedman — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 12:00:00 GMT

[Please note: open access to this section is
available only to premium-level subscribers.]

Welcome to Marine Master Classes, a premium section of For Yacht Builders, Buyers, and Owners.

In this space, we offer both live and prerecorded master classes, mini-courses, and podcasts, dealing with a broad range of topics in boatbuilding, boatyard operations, marine small-business management, and other topics we believe will be of interest to many of our subscribers. The live classes will be available by reservation only and generally limited to a dozen or fewer community members at a time, to facilitate a higher level of meaningful interaction. All sessions will be led by acknowledged experts in the relevant field. Watch the 2026 events schedule updates, to appear here soon. I look forward to seeing you on the inside.

— Phil Friedman, Editor and Publisher

Step Up from Boat Electrics Novice to Master

Phil Friedman — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT

Sponsored Content from Port Royal Marketing

Are you ready to move from mystery to mastery when dealing with your boat’s critical electrical system?

If the answer is “yes”, you should explore the BoatHowTo self-paced video courses, "Boat Electrics 101" and "Advanced Marine Electrics".

These ABYC and ISO compliant courses are created and taught by industry experts, Nigel Calder and Dr. Jan Athenstädt.

Get more information and download our FREE boat electrics inventory worksheet here:

More Info and Free Download

Download FREE Boat Electrics Inventory and Load Worksheet

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Fair winds and safe harbors — Phil Friedman

Practical Project Management for New Yacht Builds and Major Refits - Episode 1

Phil Friedman — Tue, 07 May 2024 12:18:32 GMT

Fitout of 150’ Composite Littoral Fast Patrol Vessel Supervised by Author

Written by Phil Friedman — Narrated by Arti (Ai)

Module 1 - Overview

Episode 1 ………. Process Facilitation and Experience

Episode 2 ………. Managing People

Episode 3 ………. Project Planning — Understanding Critical Path

Episode 4 ………. Bills of Materials and Purchasing

Episode 5 ………. Supply-Chain Management and Tracking

Episode 6 ………. Samples of Some Easy-to-Use Templates and Checklists