Question about Annapolis School of Seamanship

Dan Johnson · Nov 29, 2011

POTL...

I don't have any experience with these courses, but the Annap School of Seamanship has an excellent reputation.

For another diesel course, check out Mack Boring's offerings in NJ. They're the regional Yanmar distributor and conduct excellent training (but it ain't in Annapolis!).

SeaLuff10621 · Nov 29, 2011

PrincessoftheLake said:
I am interested in taking the Marine Diesel Basics course and the Marine Electrical Systems Basic courses at the Annapolis School of Seamanship.

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with these courses and if they are worthwhile.

I have taken their Marine Diesel Basics course and it was excellent. I knew nothing when I went in for the weekend course and felt very confident following the course. They used Yanmar's alot but also had other types of marine diesel motors for reference and comparison. There was a take home text book and the course was very open and hands on. I'm looking forward to taking the advanced diesel course and the marine electrical course in the future. Courses fill up fast so track their website for course offerings.

Tejas · Nov 29, 2011

My wife and I have taken Marine Diesel Basics, Marine Diesel Engines Level II, Marine Electrical System Basics and Marine Electrical Systems Level II and thought the classes were excellent.

rpwillia · Nov 29, 2011

Another option

PrincessoftheLake said:
I am interested in taking the Marine Diesel Basics course and the Marine Electrical Systems Basic courses at the Annapolis School of Seamanship. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with these courses and if they are worthwhile.

Never did business with them, but since a friend did I got in with him on one of the winter seminars that Norton Yacht Sales in Deltaville, Va holds. They used to have a mechanic Craig who spent a whole day talking about various parts of the engine and things to watch for.

As far as the Annapolis and Mack Boring I have heard both are good. Besides any day spent doing boat stuff is a day well spent.

lehighsail · Nov 29, 2011

I took two courses at Mack Boring in Union, NJ and found them very comprehensive. The best part was that one day when we came in they had our engine there for us...the exact engine I have in my boat. The courses were big confidence builders and gave you enough information to really maintain and even winterize the engine. The stress was to maintainence although by the end I was hoping they would get into diagnostics and trouble shooting but this was not nor ever to be. If you need significant diagnostics they suggest you call them for service. What fun it is to spend time in north central NJ.

Bad Obsession · Nov 29, 2011

If I took a marine diesel course I would really want to focus on diagnostics. I do realize that with a diesel it has one of two problems....no fire or no fuel. Still, I would love to be able to change injectors out and things like that. Also, maintenance issues like tightening engine mounts, aligning things, and stuff like that.

I can oil change, winterize, change impellers, change fuel filters, and things like that. I do get nervous when it comes to bleeding the engine as well.

Deadhead · Nov 29, 2011

Mack Boring

I have taken a total of 5 days of Yanmar training at Mack Boring. The first was a 1 day intro to Marine Diesels. The next was their 2 day basic sailboat course. Last year they offered a 2 day advanced sailboat diesel course for the first time and I went for it too.

I think they have 10 different engines there in the lab. I worked on the Yanmar in my boat - a 4JH4TE. The advanced course included removing the head to simulate changing a head gasket, adjusting the valves, then firing it back up. Way cool.

Of course to be realistic 1 arm should be tied behind your back and you should be forced to lay on your side with fogged up glasses while doing the work; but they do what they can to make it real. I would recommend them to anyone.

CliffL · Dec 1, 2011

Princess, I've taken both diesel and both electric courses. All are outstanding. Do it, but do both. I live on my boat in downtown Annapolis for the winter andrade worked with all of the instructors on my boat...very helpful. Great courses.

Stu Jackson · Dec 1, 2011

What's interesting about these diesel classes is that two folks have mentioned: WOW, they had MY engine.

I suggest that anyone can read about how diesel engines operate from a book. I also recognize that some folks learn differently than others.

The part I don't understand is why anyone would go to a diesel engine fix-it course if the course didn't have the actual engine they have on their boat.

The only engine I care about is the one I have on MY boat. I read a lot about Yanmars, and I'll bet the Yanmar guys get tired of hearing about our anemic M25s, but I'm glad I have a separate exhaust riser on my engine, and I wouldn't know squat about repairing one on a Yanmar, but then, they wouldn't know how to fix mine either.

Just sayin'...

Tejas · Dec 2, 2011

The Annapolis School of Seamanship had several makes of engines. Finding a course for your precise engine might be difficult. Manufacturers make several models with different technologies, and a course with several makes with different technologies was useful to me. I'm hoping the the boat I have is not the last boat I'll have.

CliffL · Dec 2, 2011

The courses aren't set up to teach a specific engine make & model, rather to teach the fundamentals of all diesels...and once you understand the basics...and are comfortable with the basic concepts it becomes easy to move between makes. I'm very comfortable with Westerbeke and Yanmar and don't think I'd have much of an issue with other makes. The similarities outweigh the differences.

Stu Jackson · Dec 4, 2011

POTL, I hear ya, just came back from Chicago on Friday and have to go back next week. It was a mere 30 degrees warmer when I landed here at home! :dance:

Here's another way to do it (from one of our C34 "gurus", Ron Hill):

When I first got my C34 over 24 years ago, I was knowledgeable about gas engines, but knew NOTHING about diesels. So I hired a mechanic and had him show me how to change the engine oil. While he was there I picked his brain and EVEN PAID FOR AN EXTRA HOUR. I had my own instructor. It was well worth the cost.

As I said earlier, folks learn differently, so some may benefit from learning about the parts, hands-on, so if you feel you can learn about the different parts and then translate them to your engine, sure, do it that way.

I was like Ron. What I did was go to the www.marinedieseldirect.com site and print out the pictures of my engine, which showed all the parts, left and right, which was a great start. I didn't need a mechanic for that step.

Your engine, your choice.

Oh, and for POTL, find someone with a boat with your engine down south in sunny climes, I'm sure they'd love to meet you! I wish I had your engine.

Ron20324 · Dec 5, 2011

PrincessoftheLake said:
Well, there is another thing to add to the dream guy list-he has a Yanmar 4JH3E and knows how to use it.

I can take out the 3YM and put in a 4J

:dance:

RonRelyea · Dec 5, 2011

Intake, compression, power, exhaust ....

POTL ... somehow, your version sounds more interesting ... lmao!

PrincessoftheLake said:
Stu-
You know, that is actually a pretty good idea. As I said, I have studied the service manual and I can identify most of the major workings of the diesel and even uderstand the 4 stages (suck, squeeze, bang, blow) of the thing but I want to be comfortable with trouble shooting and minor repairs.

Well, there is another thing to add to the dream guy list-he has a Yanmar 4JH3E and knows how to use it.

Deadhead · Dec 5, 2011

Detroil Diesel

POTL: maybe you should consider a Detroit Diesel - twice the bang in the same number of strokes.

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