Bottom Prep and Finish Work

Learn when and how to repaint your bottom and how refinishing the bottom can increase the life, presentation and performance of your boat.


Rich Goughan
Crowley's Yacht Yard

Discover Boating




A presentation designed to give owners new ideas and useful tips about how to enjoy their boat.



Dan Bochnovic
Crowley's Yacht Yard

Your First Mac Race

Are you thinking of doing your first MAC race?

If so, you will not want to miss this seminar.
Greg Freeman will tell you everything you will need to know to get to the island safely and have the experience of a lifetime.

Greg Freeman Chicago Yacht Club Chair 102nd Race to Mackinac

Raymarine System Integration


Overview of the new E Series touchscreen systems. Chris will answer questions about their latest products and display their extensive capabilities.


Chris Melena
Raymarine

The Importance of Your Halyards



Learn how to maintain, when to replace your running rigging and how to decide what to use for your specific application.



Kevin Coughlin
New England Rope

Mainsail Trim For Racers

Learn what it takes to keep your mainsail in trim in a variety of situations.

Mike Considine
UK Sails

3M Gelcoat Finishing Systems and Paint Finishing Systems

A presentation on how simple it is to get a top quality gelcoat finish while minimizing the cost. Learn how to save time and avoid some of the most common gelcoat finishing pitfalls.



John Axell
3M Marine Specialist

Facelift For Your Boat

Discover a few upgrades every boater should know and how to integrate them into your boat. There will be a review of several improvements and a question and answer period about what gear is right for you.

Dan Bochnovic
Crowley's Yacht Yard

Weather

The National Weather Service's new forecasting tools and techniques will be covered, as well as a discussion of what to look for when you're out on the water.

Amy Seely
National Weather Service NOAA

Propellar Care

Prop maintenance and repair. Every little ding in your prop effects the way your boat performs. Learn when you should have your prop serviced.

John Stanis
Crowley's Yacht Yard

Jib Trim For Racers

Quantum experts will tell you what it takes to keep your jib in trim. Go fast uphill.

Keith Church
Quantum Sails

Smart Boat Building: Sailbaoat Manufacturing Now With The Future In Sight

A review of the innovative changes in boat manufacturing that have taken place in this new millenium.

Mike Thoney, Jack Buoscio
and Lou Sandoval
Karma Yacht Sales

Basic Techniques: Effective and Practical Use of West System® Epoxy Products


Learn how simple and effective the "system" is for repairs to both wood and FRP boats. The West System specialty products Six10 and G/Flex will be featured.

Grace Ombry
Bruce Niederer
West Systems/
Gougeon Brothers, Inc.

Self-Surveying Your Aging Yacht

Save money by inspecting your boat yourself before you insure or sell it.

Mel Sturdel
A-1 Marine Surveying

Cold Water Survival

Learn how to survive if you fall in the water in cold water situations and the importance of wearing a life jacket and warm foul weather gear.

David Kulacz
USCG Auxillary

Asian Carp

Philip Willink will present an informed scientific viewpoint on a topic that has grown to be a hot political issue.

Philip Willink
Field Museum of Natural History

Teak Care

A hands-on presentation of how to make the teak on your boat look like new. You will learn everything you need to keep your brightwork looking great.

Jayne Parker

Shorthanded Mainsail Handling

Learn strategies for handling a mainsail with limited crew. Battcars, travellar upgrades, electric winches, reefing systems and main furling gear will be discussed.

Syd Millman
Harken

Community Sailing

Joe will talk about opportunities available for you and your children with the Chicago Park District's Sailing Programs.

Joseph Harris
Director of Sailing
Chicago Park District

Bad Stuff On Boats

Holed, cracked and wet keels, hulls and decks are only the beginning of this sobering collection of photos and stories.

Marian Lambrecht
Yacht Surveyor

What To Do If You Get Boarded

USCG boarding procedures and what to expect if the Coast Guard boards your boat.

Tom Mullally
USCG Auxillary

Diesel Engine Maintenance Basics

Learn the basic skills needed to keep your diesel engine running smooth and troublefree.

John Stanis
Crowley's Yacht Yard

Rigging Maintenance

Learn standing rigging basics and how to tune your mast for safe and optimal performance.

Dan Knight
Crowley's Yacht Yard

Smart Boat Building: Sailbaoat Manufacturing Now With The Future In Sight

A review of the innovative changes in boat manufacturing that have taken place in this new millenium.

Mike Thoney, Jack Buoscio
and Lou Sandoval
Karma Yacht Sales