Marine diesel engine classes?

[xavpil]

MOrning friends,
I have seen a few offers online for weekend long classes but I am not sure what is reliable and what’s not.
MCK Boring & Parts offers some…

Please don’t tell me ”you won’t learn in one weekend” or “talk to someone at the marina” etc….

Thx all!

 

[garymalmgren]

What does the course cost?
If reasonable, I say go for it.

gary

 

[xavpil]

What does the course cost?
If reasonable, I say go for it.

gary

It’s not just about the price. It’s more about the quality of the course and reputation of the institution
I can pay for quality

 

[dlochner]

Mack Boring is a highly credible company. They are the Yanmar Distributors for the East Coast if not the US.

The big boat shows, like the Annapolis show often have seminars and classes associated with them.

Marine & Industrial Engine Distributor | Mack Boring & Parts Co.

Mack Boring & Parts Co, Distribution for Yanmar, Scania, Isuzu, WhisperPower Generators, ePropulsion, Suzuki, Smartgyro Stabilizers, and more.

mackboring.com

 

[Tally Ho]

It’s not just about the price. It’s more about the quality of the course and reputation of the institution
I can pay for quality

What are you hoping to learn and in-depth are you looking for? Any particular engine?

Crowleys Boat Yard (Chicago) offers a diesel engine class at their annual April “Yacht-a-palooza weekend. Not very in-depth, but some good basics. And one of the engines they have in the school is a Yanmar 2GM20F, which is what is in my boat…so that was helpful.

As others have said, Mack Boring is a very reputable.

I think it depends on whether you are trying to get educated to tear down a diesel engine and replace pistons, or just be able to troubleshoot fuel, cooling and other owner issues and do your own basic maintenance.


Greg

 

[xavpil]

Mack Boring is a highly credible company. They are the Yanmar Distributors for the East Coast if not the US.

Marine & Industrial Engine Distributor | Mack Boring & Parts Co.

Mack Boring & Parts Co, Distribution for Yanmar, Scania, Isuzu, WhisperPower Generators, ePropulsion, Suzuki, Smartgyro Stabilizers, and more.

mackboring.com

Yes !!
Thx!

 

[sailcapt340]

You will learn in one weekend. You will take one, two or more key points for your needs, that will stay with you. I took weekend courses from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and always came out with memorable knowledge.
I still think back while doing something about what the instructor said from MMA and it helps.
Mack Boring classes are great. The classes are really one on one, and they spend time with you.
Take a course, you won’t regret it. You may even see your engine on a stand that they will use.

 

[xavpil]

You will learn in one weekend. You will take one, two or more key points for your needs, that will stay with you. I took weekend courses from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and always came out with memorable knowledge.
I still think back while doing something about what the instructor said from MMA and it helps.
Mack Boring classes are great. The classes are really one on one, and they spend time with you.
Take a course, you won’t regret it. You may even see your engine on a stand that they will use.

Thx. Makes me feel better!!!

 

[sailcapt340]

Glad to set your mind at ease. The instructors in these classes will make you pick up the wrench, tool, hammer whatever and use it on their engines. There is no sitting in the back row, its hands on learning. Wear old clothes, your working on engines that have been torn down and worked on.
Enjoy the class.
Write any questions you have before you go. It helps to remind you what is concerning you about your engine. They will answer them.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I've heard in the past that their (Mack Boring) course is excellent and far better than just a superficial overview. It provided some real hands-on experience.
I'd be curious about their course offerings and costs. I haven't thought about it for a while. They are pretty much right in the same neighborhood as my office.

 

[sailcapt340]

In my case the instructors were former diesel maintenance on ships. From USCG cruisers to tug boats. These guys know their stuff and are great to learn from and nothing would rattle them.
And they cover some of the smallest details of the engine. Example, the banjo bolts copper washers.
I’m still remembering stuff. Take a class.
Learning wasn’t this much fun in all the years of school.

 

[jssailem]

It is all about expectations of the curriculum vs the cost of the program.

In a weekend class I would expect to gain a general knowledge of how the diesel engine works. The parts of the engine and their functions. The maintenance service tasks to keep it running. And a basic troubleshooting plan when something begins to look bad. For most boaters with access to a marina and marine capable service techs that serves their needs.

Ask the presenter for a copy of the curriculum.

The Marine Technology Center in Anacortes WA offers such classes to get by during the winter. For example.

Sat., Feb. 25, 2023 9 am – 4pm DIY Diesel Engine Training by Matt Mardesich (limited space)​

Working with live diesel engines in the lab, learn how to keep your diesel engine alive with regular maintenance and avoiding those bad fuel issues.​

Sun., Feb. 26, 2023 9 am – 4 pm Women’s Only Diesel Engine Class by Margaret Pommert​

An introductory course on trouble shooting and understanding diesel engines, with hands-on learning in the lab.​

You will need a couple of weeks in training to begin to explore more serious repairs on your engine (ie remove the head, rebuild the camshaft bearings etc.). Community Colleges often offer Diesel Engine classes for the serious wannabe a DIY mechanic. There you'll get your hands greasy taking the engine apart and putting it back together. Try to find a class on marine engines. While diesels are diesels there are a lot of extraneous systems on a truck rather than a boat engine.

All such opportunities build your boat knowledge.
I would definitely jump into a class.

 

[Stu Jackson]

The ONLY diesel engine course worth spending a penny on is the one that includes THE ENGINE THAT IS IN YOUR BOAT. All the rest are meaningless. I have a Universal M25 in my boat and a Yanmar class would be less than worthless to me because it would be a waste of time I could better spend learning about MY ENGINE.

 

[xavpil]

The ONLY diesel engine course worth spending a penny on is the one that includes THE ENGINE THAT IS IN YOUR BOAT. All the rest are meaningless. I have a Universal M25 in my boat and a Yanmar class would be less than worthless to me because it would be a waste of time I could better spend learning about MY ENGINE.

Ahahhha. Here’s the man all thread needs!!

 

[SFS]

Stu is of course correct.

Here is an intermediate step that I believe would be valuable for anyone, but particularly if you happen to have an engine for which a class is not easily available. Find a reputable local diesel repair person, and pay him his hourly rate to teach you what you want to learn, on your engine, in your boat. You may even be able to negotiate a lower than normal hourly rate because YOU will be doing the actual work while he just sits there watching.

I did this before we launched on our year's cruise. My guy happened to be retired, and wasn't interested at first, but once I told him that I would be doing the work (and that he was the installer of my almost new Yanmar) he agreed. The session was 4 hours at $60, and was a worthwhile investment. We performed an oil and filter change, transmission oil change, primary and secondary fuel filter changes, bled the fuel system, replaced the engine coolant, inspected all engine-related wiring and connections, and adjusted the alternator belt tension. We also removed a corroding exhaust pipe and replaced it with a stainless steel version. We discussed removing and cleaning injectors, cleaning the coolant system, changing motor mounts, aligning an engine and polishing fuel.

But what I really learned was little things that saved me so much hassle and mess over the remaining time we owned the boat. An easier way to reach this part given the specific anatomy of my boat, how to not burn yourself on this hot part if you can't let an motor cool as long as you like, how to use a ziploc bag around this item so the inevitable spill doesn't happen, alternate ways of doing things, how to avoid air intrusions in fuel supply lines - little life hacks that alone were worth what I paid him. I probably would have thought of most of these things eventually, but only after suffering through the first mishap for each activity.

I really think this is a good complement to a course that teaches you how to take apart your motor and put it back together. You probably will only do that once, but the stuff above you'll be doing much more frequently, and possibly under less-than-ideal circumstances.

 

[xavpil]

Stu is of course correct.

Here is an intermediate step that I believe would be valuable for anyone, but particularly if you happen to have an engine for which a class is not easily available. Find a reputable local diesel repair person, and pay him his hourly rate to teach you what you want to learn, on your engine, in your boat. You may even be able to negotiate a lower than normal hourly rate because YOU will be doing the actual work while he just sits there watching.

I did this before we launched on our year's cruise. My guy happened to be retired, and wasn't interested at first, but once I told him that I would be doing the work (and that he was the installer of my almost new Yanmar) he agreed. The session was 4 hours at $60, and was a worthwhile investment. We performed an oil and filter change, transmission oil change, primary and secondary fuel filter changes, bled the fuel system, replaced the engine coolant, inspected all engine-related wiring and connections, and adjusted the alternator belt tension. We also removed a corroding exhaust pipe and replaced it with a stainless steel version. We discussed removing and cleaning injectors, cleaning the coolant system, changing motor mounts, aligning an engine and polishing fuel.

But what I really learned was little things that saved me so much hassle and mess over the remaining time we owned the boat. An easier way to reach this part given the specific anatomy of my boat, how to not burn yourself on this hot part if you can't let an motor cool as long as you like, how to use a ziploc bag around this item so the inevitable spill doesn't happen, alternate ways of doing things, how to avoid air intrusions in fuel supply lines - little life hacks that alone were worth what I paid him. I probably would have thought of most of these things eventually, but only after suffering through the first mishap for each activity.

I really think this is a good complement to a course that teaches you how to take apart your motor and put it back together. You probably will only do that once, but the stuff above you'll be doing much more frequently, and possibly under less-than-ideal circumstances.

It’s actually a great idea!