Marine Systems Workshops
The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding offers 3-day workshops designed for students of all experience levels. These courses serve a broad audience, from recreational boaters and avocational enthusiasts to professional marine technicians seeking to expand their expertise in specific subject areas. Workshops focus on recreational vessels and practical marine systems training.
Each workshop combines foundational theory with hands on instruction to ensure participants gain practical, applicable knowledge they can confidently use in real world marine environments.
Upcoming Marine Systems Workshops
Cost Per Course: $850.00
Class Times: 9am – 5pm
Min/Max Enrollment Per Course: 6 / 12
Outboard Maintenance and Troubleshooting
- Dates To Be Determined
Marine Electronics Workshop – Installation and Operation
- Dates To Be Determined
Marine Systems Workshop Details
Marine Systems Workshops are 3-days long, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and are scheduled various times of the year. Workshops can be taken individually or in any order. All courses are held at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding’s campus in Port Hadlock, Washington State. To be notified when new Workshops are scheduled, sign-up for notifications by clicking here.
To be eligible, all enrollees must have:
• The physical and health capacity to undertake the day-to-day work.
• The ability to understand written and oral instruction given in English.
Spaces are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. After you submit your registration, you’ll be directed to a payment form. Your registration is complete once full tuition is received, which secures your place in the Intensive course.
If full payment is not received within seven days of registration, your spot will be released. These courses are offered only a few times each year and tend to fill quickly.
There are two payment options:
- Pay by credit card during registration (a 3% processing fee will apply).
- Use the ACH transfer option through your student portal (no fee), which will be created after you complete the registration process.
If you are a business registering an employee and need to discuss invoicing or payment arrangements, please contact the Admissions Team directly at [email protected] or (360) 385-4948 ext. 303.
Financial aid and/or scholarships are not available for Marine Systems Workshops.
Intensives Cancellation Policy by NWSWB:
If minimum enrollment is not met our policy is to cancel a class 14 days before the start date. A full refund will be given in the event a workshop is cancelled by the school. Please keep this policy in mind when making your travel arrangements.
Intensives Cancellation Policy by Student:
A student may cancel enrollment without cause. The cancellation notice must be in writing. If a student cancels 14 days prior to the start of the course, a tuition refund will be issued within 30 days and the school may retain a registration fee of $25.00. If the student cancels less than 14 days prior to the first day of the workshop, the program will not be refunded.
We recommend attendees book their lodging and accommodations as soon as possible as hotels and short-term rentals can fill quickly during in-season months (June-September). If you require lodging during your course, the Old Alcohol Plant Hotel, 310 Hadlock Bay Road, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 is located one mile from the school. For other accommodations in the area, please visit www.enjoypt.com.
Have a question? Submit an inquiry or email at [email protected].
Marine Systems Workshop Descriptions
Outboard Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Dates TBD
Description
Students will be introduced to outboard engines and will cement their knowledge by performing common maintenance procedures up to the 100-hour service on school-provided Suzuki engines. Students will learn in depth about fuel systems and cooling systems and will get practical experience performing hands-on engine maintenance tasks. Working on functioning engines, students will learn how to diagnose and troubleshoot common problems associated with outboard engines. Students will also learn how to properly respond to a submerged outboard.
The school will provide the outboard engines and components for demonstrations and hands-on practice. Students are recommended to bring basic mechanical tools (wrenches, sockets, and screwdrivers) to help alleviate shared tool use. Students will also have access to multimeters for electrical troubleshooting.
This course provide both conceptual and hands-on instruction. Students will handle system components, watch demonstrations, learn to describe a system’s components and how they function, and will be able to perform specific tasks using industry best practices.
Students learn how to:
- Identify the key components of an outboard engine assembly.
- Describe what causes combustion in an outboard engine system and how to identify key differences between 2- stroke and 4-stroke engine cycles.
- Disassemble and reassemble an outboard engine.
- Recognize failed, damaged, or worn components.
- Identify all the components in an outboard fuel system and what each function serves.
- Identify all the components in an outboard cooling system and what each function serves.
- Identify problems common to outboard engines.
- Use reference materials to help with diagnosis.
- Diagnose and repair common problems associated with outboard engines.
- Properly perform maintenance procedures up to the 100-hour service on an outboard engine.
- Properly respond to a submerged outboard engine.
Marine Electronics - Installation and Operations
Dates TBD
Description
This 3-day workshop provides instruction in the installation and operation of key marine navigation instruments, including Depth Sounders, GPS units, Chart Plotters, Radar, AIS, and VHF radios.
Students will learn proper equipment placement, power supply requirements, and equipment integration, including how to interface instruments with both existing and newly installed onboard systems. Instruction will also cover configuration, calibration, troubleshooting, and effective use of manufacturer manuals to understand critical features and operational specifications.
NWSWB will supply instruments for hands-on training. After bringing the systems online, participants will focus on practical application for safe navigation. The course will address common user errors, methods for resolving conflicting instrument data, and best practices for maintaining situational awareness. Real world examples and practical tips will help students with safe navigation and examples of what to avoid.
Current in the Water! Shorepower, Marinas, and How to Protect Your Vessel and Your Crew
Dates TBD
Description
This 3-day workshop will introduce the fundamentals of electrical systems as they relate to vessels and waterfront environments, with an emphasis on understanding the risks and pathways of electric current in water and aboard boats. A central focus will be on Electric Shock Drowning (ESD), including what it is, how it happens, and why it poses a serious hazard to boaters and swimmers.
What is Electric Shock Drowning?
Electric shock drowning occurs when alternating current (AC) leaks into the surrounding water from faulty electrical systems on docks or boats. When a swimmer enters electrified water, even low-level AC current can cause the muscles to become temporarily or permanently paralyzed, making it impossible to swim to safety and leading to drowning. In some cases, higher current levels can result in electrocution. Because there are no visible signs that water has become energized, this danger is often silent and unpredictable, and many ESD fatalities are mistakenly classified as ordinary drownings. Source: Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association, “ESD FAQ,” electricshockdrowning.org
After establishing the principles of electricity and current flow, the workshop will shift focus to vessel corrosion and electrical system interaction. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of how a boat’s electrical system can influence corrosion processes and how to properly assess and mitigate these effects. Students will learn how to conduct a corrosion survey aboard vessels of varying hull types.
As part of the hands-on experience, students will have the opportunity to visit a marina to test for AC current leakage and perform a corrosion survey on an actual vessel. This real-world application reinforces workshop concepts and enhances practical skills in electrical and corrosion safety.
Port of Port Townsend
