Friends & Partners
In this section we recommend noteworthy online programs and resources.
These are not paid ads. We recommend them because we like what they do.
Education Programs
American Boat & Yacht Council
The ABYC is a non-profit organization which sets standards for pleasure boats in the US and provides certification for marine technicians. Nigel has been a long term member of the ABYC's electrical standards committee.
We are in close contact with the ABYC to make sure our courses are standards compliant. If you want to get ABYC certified, check out their certification programs!
Landesberufsschule fĂĽr Bootsbauer
The boat building trade school in TravemĂĽnde (Germany) offers a 3.5 year long journeymen program that consists of practical work at a boatyard and 40 weeks of training at the school. Alumni are highly regarded worldwide for both their practical skills and their theoretical knowledge.
We work together with the school for content production for our upcoming Diesel Engine Course.
Pacific Yacht Systems
Founded by Jeff Cote, Pacific Yacht Systems focuses on consulting and installations of electrical systems around the Pacific Northwest.
Jeff and his team have put together a very successful YouTube channel where they ask questions about systems installation.
Pacific Yacht Systems uses BoatHowTo courses as training material for their team.
Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding
The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding (NWSWB) is one of the best known boatbuilding schools in the US. Founded in 1981, the school has taught wooden boatbuilding and marine systems skills to more than 1,600 students. The NWSWB is the first school to adopt our BoatHowTo courses into their marine systems curriculum in addition to their hands-on training.
We work closely together with Marine Systems Lead Instructor Kevin Ritz to improve safety and reliability of state-of-the-art marine systems. Through a strategic collaboration, all Marine Systems students enjoy full access to our BoatHowTo electrical courses.
Marine How To
Marine How To was founded by Rod Collins, an independent ABYC Certified Marine Electrical Systems Specialist. Rod offers free, in-depth articles and advice on boat systems. One of the most accurate sources of information on the internet that we know of.
Rod also runs a Facebook group on Boat Electrical Systems that offers a great platform for discussions.
IYRS School of Technology & Trades is a non-profit, post-secondary institution and one of the premier marine trades and modern manufacturing schools in the United States. Founded in 1993, IYRS has become a world-class institution offering ACCSC-accredited programs, all focused on experiential learning. IYRS students come from all over to learn wooden boatbuilding, marine systems, composites technology, and digital modeling & fabrication. Their marine systems program provides students with fully immersive training in all aspects of marine systems.
Since March 2024, the BoatHowTo electrical courses are part of IYRS's Marine Systems curriculum.
Skagit Valley College Marine Technology program
Mike Beemer runs the SVC Marine Technology Program, offering students great opportunities in the maritime trade. Mike also runs the SVC Skallywags YouTube channel about boat tech. If you are thinking about a career in marine technology, the SVC program would be a great start.
We work together with Mike on creating online learning content for both BoatHowTo as well as the Skagit Valley College.
Consulting & Supplies
Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors® (SAMS®)
The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors® (SAMS®) was established during the 1980’s by a small group of surveying professionals wishing to advance their craft.
SAMS® Membership Roster includes close to 1000 surveyors in the United States and over 20 other countries around the world.
Successful completion of our BoatHowTo Electrical courses gives you the opportunity to earn continuing education units (CEUs) recognized by SAMS.
Klabauter-Shop
Jan's online shop for electrical equipment on boats. If you need supplies for an update of your boat's electrical system (and live in Europe), you should check out Klabauter-Shop.
Jan and his team will help you with any questions and make sure you get quality components for a fair price.
Lin Pardey
Together with her husband Larry, Lin Pardey has influenced thousands of cruisers with their books on low-budget cruising. Jan was one of them. So if you see it this way, without Lin there would be no BoatHowTo.
Lin just released her new "Storytelling for Sailors" online course.
NAMSGlobal
An International Association of Marine Surveyors
Since 1962, the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMSGlobal) has served the marine survey profession by providing the maritime industry with recognition and certification of highly qualified marine surveyors.
NAMSGlobal members are required to maintain certification by participating in a professional recertification program, which is monitored annually.
Our BoatHowTo Electrical courses are recognized by NAMSGlobal as meeting their continuing education requirements.
ShipShape.pro
SHIPSHAPE.Pro is a database for marine professionals in the US. The platform is the brainchild of Merrill Charette and Talha Bhatty, two enterprising liveaboards who want to provide all stakeholders of the marine industry with their very own online marketplace.
Part of the project is a podcast featuring interviews with people in the industry. Make sure to also check out the episode with Nigel!
Pelagic Blue Cruising Services
Gio & Julie Cappelli are certified marine technicians, captains, marine biologists, and offshore sailors.
The couple offers a full service experience to help you turn your cruising dreams into reality, including training, mentoring, education, and consulting.
Ocean Planet Energy
Founded by former Vendee Globe competitor Bruce Schwab, Ocean Planet Energy focuses on planning and installation of complex electrical installations on modern offshore boats. Nigel is also part of the OPE team. OPE uses our BoatHowTo courses as part of their training program for new staff.
If you need help planning a complex system, we highly recommend Bruce and his team. But we also suggest taking our courses first, as this will greatly speed up the planning process and facilitate communication.
Mahina Offshore Services
John Neal is one of the most experienced offshore sailors in the world. He offers consultation, online sail training and expedition voyages to remote places.
We think that his seminars and trainings are a good addition to what we are teaching in our courses.
John also recorded a guest lecture on short handed sailing that you can find on our YouTube channel
Media Partners
Waterway Guide
Waterway Guide publishes a series of cruising guides, mobile apps and online resources for boaters.
We contribute to the Waterway Guide's Knowledge Center and their newsletter.
Professional Boatbuilder Magazine
Professional Boatbuilder is the leading publication for the American boatbuilding industry.
Nigel is a frequent author in Professional Boatbuilder Magazine.
float Magazin
The German magazine float covers every aspect of living on or around the water.
Jan writes as technical expert for boat systems for float.