Essentials of Sailboat Electrical Systems
Nigel Calder & Jan Athenstadt | BoatHowTo.com

Learn the fundamentals of designing & optimizing DC power systems to meet your power needs.

90 Minutes English Unlimited Access

Onboard energy demands continue to rise as boat owners expect the comforts of home to be available onboard. The traditional mechanisms to generate electrical energy when away from the dock are shockingly inefficient and expensive. Recent advances in technology have resulted in systems with improved efficiency and lower energy costs. In this online class, we will cover electrical systems design and how to incorporate new technology to improve life onboard.

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ONLINE COURSE OVERVIEW

Electrical malfunctions are a leading cause of boating problems, often stemming from systems poorly designed to match energy demands with onboard lifestyles. This course teaches boatowners how to assess and meet DC energy needs effectively, reducing frustration and premature system failures. This class covers essential electrical load calculations, batteries, alternators, and multi-step regulators, providing the knowledge to build balanced, optimized systems. We’ll also explore advancements in lithium-ion batteries and high-powered alternators, enabling efficient, generator-free solutions for enhanced performance, reduced maintenance, and cost savings.

Who is this online class for?

This series is for anyone interested in electrical systems. The online class covers those who intend to unplug from shore power and live aboard for a few days, as well as those headed offshore. In both cases, we look at how electrical systems can cope with air conditioning and heating, watermaking, water heating, and electric cooking.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Sailors will learn how to design an electrical system that is periodically independent of dockside power by integrating recent technological advances into powerful and efficient electrical systems that substantially reduce the cost of energy and significantly improve onboard lifestyles.

List of Topics:

  • How to conduct an energy audit for any anticipated boat usage
  • What is required in terms of batteries, chargers, and other components to meet the identified energy needs
  • Lithium-ion versus lead-acid batteries
  • Strengths and limitations of lithium-ion batteries
  • Core features of powerful new alternators
  • The latest generation of alternator controllers
  • Essential monitoring of the performance of the system
  • How to assemble these pieces in a system that reduces the cost of energy, reduces engine run time, reduces maintenance, and removes the need for a generator on many boats that currently have one

TOP REASONS TO LEARN ABOUT BOAT ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Safety & Reliability
Understanding your electrical system helps prevent malfunctions that can lead to hazardous situations, like electrical fires or dead batteries in critical moments.
Energy Independence
By knowing how to assess and manage your power needs, you can rely less on shore power and stay off-grid for longer periods, giving you greater freedom and flexibility on the water.
Cost Savings
With knowledge of your system, you can maintain it properly, avoid expensive repairs, and make informed upgrades—saving money and extending the life of components like batteries and alternators.
Troubleshooting Confidence
Electrical issues are a leading cause of frustration for boaters. By learning the basics, you’ll be equipped to diagnose and fix common problems yourself so you can stay focused on enjoying your time afloat.
Optimized Comfort and Convenience
A well-designed and well-managed electrical system allows you to power modern comforts like refrigeration, lighting, and navigation equipment efficiently, enhancing your onboard lifestyle and making every trip more enjoyable.

Your Instructor

NIGEL CALDER

Nigel Calder and his wife, Terrie, have built or owned a succession of boats on which they have cruised extensively in the Caribbean, the U.S., and Europe, with Pippin (now aged 38) and Paul (37) augmenting the crew along the way. For decades, Nigel has experimented with advanced electrical and propulsion systems, with funding from the European Union, the UK government, and a large U.S. corporation. Nigel has partnered with OceanPlanet Energy in Bath, Maine, to continue the development of advanced solar panels, alternators, and controllers.

Nigel is a thirty-year veteran of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) which writes the standards for recreational boat electrical systems. He is best known for his Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual, now in its 4th edition, and his Marine Diesel Engines, in its 3rd edition. In addition to hundreds of magazine articles, he has also authored a Cruising Guide to the Northwest Caribbean, Cuba: A Cruising Guide, Nigel Calder’s Cruising Handbook, How to Read a Nautical Chart, and a memoir of his family’s first long cruise titled Shakedown Cruise. His most recent venture is a partnership to provide detailed and accurate online marine technical education at www.BoatHowTo.com. Currently available are courses in Basic Marine Electrics (BE 101) and Advanced Marine Electrics. Just released is a course on Diesel Engine Maintenance.

Your Instructor

JAN ATHENSTADT

Jan co-founded BoatHowTo.com with Nigel to share comprehensive knowledge about boat electrics and mechanics with a broader audience. Holding a PhD in computer science, Jan brings valuable expertise to this online class as a moderator. His experience as a full-time liveaboard and operator of an online boat supplies shop in Germany will add practical insights to the discussion.