Celestial Navigation & diesil engine courses

[dofthesea]

Anyone have a recommendation for a class in the bay area for celestial navigation and basic diesil mechanics for cruisers? Trying to to get some more knowledge before I head out in a few years. I see a few different schools for celestial........ anyone have a good experience?

[denverd0n]

Hillsborough Community College has a pretty decent diesel program.

[bletso]

The celestial part you can get from your local United States Power Squadron.

[caradow]

Annapolis School of Seamanship for Diesel plus more......

[rsnini]

Any US power squadron is an excellent source for celestial Nav training.

[gamayun]

Are you in the San Francisco Bay area? If so, I'm organizing a celestial nav course that will be taught by a friend in the Singlehanded Sailing Society for mid May. You certainly don't have to belong to the SSS, but you'd sure learn a lot about sailing and systems by being involved in it. If you're interested, let me know. The first class will be hands on to understand the sextant and future ones will be by webinar.

Best diesel class that I know of in the Bay area is taught by List Marine in Sausalito. I don't think they advertise so give them a call to find out more. You might also check out the Cal Maritime Academy. I just heard the other day that they have courses that anyone can enroll in.

[Tigidal]

Any good online marine diesel courses?

[splihon]

The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) has a membership ($185/yr) for recreational boaters. They offer a FREE 5 day trial to explore ABYC.
See following link: Become a Member - American Boat and Yacht Council

Membership benefits include:
24-hour online access to the Standards, including technical help via phone and email
Quarterly copies and online access to the Reference Point magazine
Opportunity to participate in technical committees to shape the way Standards are written
Discounts on all classes and certifications
Discounts on a vast library of industry publications and reports
Use of ABYC's ever-growing photo / video library

I haven't tried their online classes myself so I would be curious to hear from recreational boaters who have.

[NorthCoastJoe]

Where will you class be held? I am in the north bay near Bodega Bay.
I am way out of practice and would like to join the class, I learned as a kid.

[michaelratinter]

I took a diesel course from List Marine in Sausalito. It has saved my butt on several occasions. I just had an annual done last week. Great work!

[dofthesea]

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

[Diesel Bill]

Originally Posted by dofthesea

Anyone have a recommendation for a class in the bay area for celestial navigation and basic diesil mechanics for cruisers? Trying to to get some more knowledge before I head out in a few years. I see a few different schools for celestial........ anyone have a good experience?

I started learning about diesels back in the 70's. Took a class at Chabot Community College in Hayward, Ca. called Diesel Technology and Transportation. FREE tuition.
Then took training at Williams and Lane in Berkeley on 71 series Detroit Diesel.While working at International Harvester in San Francisco I trained on Cummins NTC 350 and DV 550. Was sent to Peterson Tractor in San Leandro for factory training on Caterpillar 3208. Bottom fell out of trucking with the fuel embargos. So I started shipping out with Military Sealift Command as a Deck Engineer Machinist. After 4 years working in the engine room and on deck, I went to work with a major oil company on super tankers up to 265,000 DWT. I took a 5 week marine diesel class at Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy. Cat 3406, Colt Pielstik, Sulzer RND 70. Studied Engine Room Automation at California Maritime Academy. Worked my way up from 3rd A/E, 2nd A/E to 1st A/E unlimited horsepower steam and diesel. Was ready to sit for Chief Coast Guard exam when injuries forced early retirement.
Diesel training is available everywhere if you just look. Lots on line also.
I took a celestial nav course 35/40 years ago from a Berkeley Professor at his home. I think it was $50.00 then.
I love to teach. I was offered a teaching gig for the Fed Gov. but shipped out as the pay was better. Any way just research and you will find more than you would want. Good luck.

[gamayun]

Originally Posted by NorthCoastJoe

Where will you class be held? I am in the north bay near Bodega Bay.
I am way out of practice and would like to join the class, I learned as a kid.

Great! It will probably be held at Island Yacht Club in Alameda on Wednesday evening May 17. Let me get the details formed up better and I will send you info via PM.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by dofthesea

Anyone have a recommendation for a class in the bay area for celestial navigation and basic diesil mechanics for cruisers? Trying to to get some more knowledge before I head out in a few years. I see a few different schools for celestial........ anyone have a good experience?

I don't know of any school anywhere that teaches a single class that combines both those topics. You might consider taking separate classes. [emoji16]

[gamayun]

FYI (all), the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club has a celestial navigation seminar this Thursday (March 23) starting at 7:00. It sounds like just a basic overview, but let me know if you're interested and you can come as my guest. I'm planning to be there. It's a pretty cool place with the nicest of members, if you've never been here before. It's also a drinking spot with a real sailing problem

Carliane