Planning Your Boat Refit: From Dream to Departure(Session 1)
Hands On Clinic | Available
Refitting a cruising boat can be overwhelming—but it doesn't have to be. In this hands-on, dockside workshop, you'll spend three hours aboard a liveaboard cruising sailboat, walking through the real-world process of planning and prioritizing a refit. From evaluating essential systems to balancing safety, comfort, and budget, this session will explain the refit journey by grounding it in practical examples and firsthand experience.
You'll learn how to assess your boat's current condition, identify critical upgrades, and develop a realistic refit plan tailored to your cruising goals. Whether you're preparing for coastal cruising or bluewater passages, this class offers tools and insights to help you refit with confidence and clarity.
Please be aware that session 1 and 2 have the same class content in each session.
Julie Cappelli
Gio and Julie Cappelli are both graduates of Skagit Valley College’s Marine Maintenance Technology Program. They people prepare themselves and their boats for offshore and extended cruising through sail training expeditions, private instruction, and boat refit consultation through Pelagic Blue Cruising Services. Both are USCG licensed Masters and have sailed more than 20,000 miles through the Pacific aboard their Mal? 39. In addition to running Pelagic Blue, they teach offshore cruising workshops with John Neal of Mahina Offshore Services. When they’re not at sea you can find them planning their next big offshore cruise and helping their clients get ready to set sail for distant shores. Details at pelagicbluecruising.com.
Gio is an ABYC certified Marine Diesel Engines and Marine Systems Technician. He’s been working on cars, boats, and houses for decades and previously worked as a fish biologist and motorboat operator instructor. He loves a good mechanical or electrical challenge and is a champion spearfisherman. His life goal is to spearfish in every ocean on the planet. Brrr! Julie used to be terrified of electricity but is now ABYC certified in Marine Electrical and a NMEA certified Electronics and Advanced NMEA2000 Installer. She’s been trying to grow a set of gills her entire life, and has worked as a marine biologist, scuba instructor, and expedition leader. She loves a good electronics or cruising logistics challenge and is an absolute genius when it comes to tracking down the gremlins hiding in your boat’s networks. Her life goal is to meet every species of whale in every ocean on the planet. There are about 94 currently recognized species and so far, she's got 16!