Diesel or Electrical, Value as Crew

[Time2Go]

Hi Friends,
A question for all you boat owners who take on crew,
Until I retire to Florida and buy a boat
( besides my lake bound day sailer) I like to crew and travel
Been sailing for years and at one time owned an Ericson 27
To better introduce myself to prospective situations
I qualified for RYA Coastal Skipper/Tidal
But I would like to continue to learn and make myself
more valuable as a crew person.
So to this end I'm contemplating going to the
Annapolis School of Seamanship
for either there 5 day course in
Marine Electrical Systems
Or
Marine Diesel
So, the question is which to a captain, owner, skipper
is more valuable?
I'm leaning to Electrical,
Thoughts Please
Cheers
Neil

[barnakiel]

Imho diesel failures are more critical as few sailors today can sail. Electrical trouble can be sorted at the dock but to get to the dock most skippers need an engine.

In the longer run you actually acquire both skills so probably go for what YOU find more interesting up first. Master it. Go for the next most tempting skill. Etc.

Mind troubleshooting is part training part exposure.

Get an old marine diesel break it apart put it back together. Does it work now? OK, jump aboard!

;-)
b.

[StuM]

Anyone with a bit of common sense, a Nigel Calder book and a multimeter can troubleshoot electrical systems and work out what is fixable and what is not fixable on the spot.

Diagnosing and resolving diesel problems requires quite a bit more knowledge and skill.

I've definitely go for the diesel course and do a bit of self education on marine DC electrical systems.

[belizesailor]

Most valuable: Good structured diagnosis/problem solving skills (something often hard to find even in pros) plus good basic knowledge & experience with both diesel & electrical.

Development plan: I built my early experience working with a small charter company with a fleet of poorly maintained old boats. Stuff broke on EVERY trip. It was annoying at the time, but a great experience builder in retrospect...and created some great stories. Buy both of Mr Calder's excellent books and go find some crappy old boats to mess about on.

[knot smart]

i would 2nd what the other guys are saying..

but if i might suggest joining a yacht club.. i see you live in NJ. i belong to Raritan Yacht Club and i can honestly say you dont need either of those skills to crew, you just need a passion for sailing. There a a number of guys that are always looking for crew on wednesday race night.. doesnt cost much for membership, $1000 per yr billed quarterly. if your not some snooty A-hole and you can rub elbows with some working class, beer drinking, cocktail slinging kinda guys you'll fit right in.. I'd also recommend Atlantic Highlands yacht club

jason

[Terra Nova]

Learn both diesel and electrical. But, for traveling, I'd rather be carrying the electrical tools--much lighter.

[Steven UK]

I would think (from my current position on the couch) Diesel problems at see would be down to starter motor/circuit or fuel problems. Can't imagine what you would get taught in a week engine rebuilding / overhaul? I think you need to be clear on the basics. But any knowledge is a bonus and won't hurt, I just enjoy learning ( and other people who enjoy learning).

P.s. Getting a starter to operate in an emergency situation is normally fixed with a screw driver or any metal conducting object that won't melt (google it) and fuel issues is a filter change (hopefully).

I'm not a skipper looking for crew so I can't answer your actual question, sorry just babbling.

Good luck

[Lawrence]

My experience with helping fellow cruisers resolve their boat problems would favor electrical expertise over diesel. So many times when attempting to troubleshoot intermittent electrical problems you can be faced with a rats nest of wires with no logical sequence, corroded connections, and unused circuits, leaving you with the question "what were they thinking?" Diesel engines ,on the other hand, are rarely modified.

[SetsunaSails]

This is a very interesting question. In my opinion there is great value to be had in both skill sets. If I had to pick one it would be diesel just because electrical you can always get by without electronics but you kind of need that engine in a pinch with no wind and the current pushing you into something or somewhere

[ozdigennaro]

I took the Diesel course and it was great. Good theory, good hands-on, great teaching staff.
I also talked with people who too the Electrical course. Also top-notch. I did not take the Electrical because I'm already experienced (mostly) in that stuff.
I recommend both. You won't be sorry.
Oz

[hamburking]

Take the DIESEL course. You will be welcome on any boat.

[Mithril Bham]

Although diesel seems more important, my diesel is always in great shape out of necessity whereas it seems I always need electrical maintenance because it is easier to put off. If I were to choose a slave onboard my boat it would be someone with electrical skills. I also don't trust anyone else with my diesel except a few professionals.

[manawatuman]

Im in the same position. I found dozens of great instructional videos on YouTube.
They really enlightened me and nigel Calders boat mechanical and electrical manual im an expert.

[mawtty]

Any good crew (and captain) need to be a 'jack of all trades'.
My time in the yacht is inevitably spent fixing electrical problems.
Most difficult are the ones involving solid state circuitry, autohelms and charging systems in particular.
My diesel just keeps on running.
Tulku Tim.

[Hobiehobie]

I can attest to the Annapolis School of Seamanship Diesel course (Basic and Advanced). Very good. They basically use Nigel Calder's Marine Diesel Book as a curriculum, but instead of reading about it you actually get to do it. They put some fiendish bugs in the engines we worked on. But we found them eventually! And they show you some tools to get and some tricks that will save your soul in a pinch.

Electrical next year!