Shearwater University

03/01/2026

Our upcoming courses are available now on our website. Sign up at: shearwateruniversity.com/home/on-shore/

07/31/2025

Tsunami Tuesday night was exciting but gentle. First wave came into Echo Bay at 01:30. Tossed the boat a bit, then splashed against the nearby shoreline, and continued to ricochet around the bay for another half hour. Second wave came through close to 02:30. Similar experience. And now we can tell our grandchildren that "we survived a tsunami".

07/30/2025

Chilling in Echo Bay listening for Tsunami updates. Our area just got updated from Watch to Advisory. The lines are loose on the mooring cable and ready cast off in a moment if we hear action is coming our way.

07/16/2025

Hey the crew on One Ocean just gave us a shout out from Nome Alaska! We love following them on their adventure of science, discovery, and ocean advocacy. You can follow them at "One Island One Ocean" on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and their website: https://oneislandoneocean.com

06/09/2025

05/12/2025

Get your tickets on the Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show Website. See ya there!

05/07/2025

See you next week at the Anacortes Boat and Yacht show! Stop by and help us celebrate 10 years on campus- the Salish Sea!

03/19/2025

🚤 TOP 7 WAYS TO NOT DIE ON A BOAT ⛵

When my students called, worried about their new dock neighbors planning an offshore voyage with zero training, it wasn’t the first time. Many people underestimate the skill and knowledge needed to safely operate a boat—especially on the Salish Sea or offshore.

I’ve been boating since 1968 and have managed to stay alive in some of the most challenging waters in the world. How? By following key safety principles, backed by real data and hard-earned experience.

Here are the Top 7 Ways to NOT Die on a Boat (according to USCG stats and real-life lessons):

1️⃣ Wear a life jacket – 86% of drowning victims weren’t wearing one.
2️⃣ Don’t drink and drive – Alcohol is the leading factor in fatal boating accidents.
3️⃣ Pay attention – Operator inattention = disaster. Autopilot doesn’t mean eyes off the water!
4️⃣ Get boating education – 70% of deaths happened on boats with untrained operators.
5️⃣ Practice, practice, practice – Training means little without experience. Build your skills!
6️⃣ Don’t underestimate the risk in small boats – open motorboats account for the most deaths, followed by kayaks
7️⃣ Study the chart – Know the hazards before you set out.

At Shearwater University, we teach you how to boat safely, skillfully, and confidently—because happy boating is safe boating.

Read the full article here: https://shearwateruniversity.com/how-to-not-die-on-a-boat/

My phone rang late on a Monday (my “weekend’). Crystal put me on speaker so she and her husband could discuss the new neighbors down the dock, planning to sail their new boat off into…

03/10/2025

🚢 Paper vs. Electronic Charts – Which One Can You Trust?

A debate has been raging among boaters: Are paper charts outdated, or are electronic charts leading us astray? 📍⚓

While NOAA has been phasing out traditional raster charts, electronic charts have not been without their faults—like boats mysteriously jumping around on screen or disappearing entirely. Ever experienced your GPS leading you astray? You’re not alone.

At Shearwater University, we don’t pick sides—we use both paper and electronic charts, leveraging their strengths and minimizing their weaknesses. And did you know? You can print your own up-to-date paper charts straight from NOAA’s database—often fresher than what’s on your chart plotter!

Want to learn how? Join us at TrawlerFest in Anacortes this May or check out our Navigation Essentials class (online & on-demand).

📖 Read more here: https://shearwateruniversity.com/electronic-vs-paper-navigation-charts-a-clear-eyed-view/

A debate has been raging among boaters for some decades about whether paper charts or electronic charts are more reliable and accurate.  In recent years, those on the electronic side of the fence have appeared…

03/07/2025

Achoring securely is strongly affected by the type of bottom. Horse clam tells all!!

03/04/2025

🚨 Build Phase Special: Navigation Essentials – Just $350! 🚨

We’re building something incredible! Navigation Essentials is still in production but almost complete. Early adopters will get all lessons as they’re released, plus ongoing access to upgrades for this must-have course.

Once the final lessons are complete, we’ll be incorporating the newly released Navigation-1 Certification from US Sailing/US Powerboating into the course.

🌎 What is Navigation Essentials?
This online course delivers critical skills and knowledge for safely operating any boat on the water. With a strong focus on the Salish Sea, it prepares you to navigate anywhere in the world with confidence.

💰 Register now for just $350 before the course is completed—once it's finished, the tuition will double!

Register Here 🌊⚓️

📲 Sign up at https://online.shearwateruniversity.com/courses/navigation-essentials-on-demand

02/02/2025

Good times at the Seattle Boat Show. Presentations, Workshops, classes, functional merch. Come see us in the East Wing (1029).