A Deep Dive into Boat Electrical Systems with Nigel Calder

Two-day boat electrical seminars in Portland, Maine, April 1/2 and October 28/29, 2025  

Electrical systems are the leading cause of problems on boats equipped with anything more than a rudimentary electrical system. Most of these problems are preventable; they arise from a failure to abide by core design and installation principles.  

To explore these critical design and installation challenges, OceanPlanet Energy (OPE), in collaboration with Professional Boatbuilder magazine, Ocean Navigator magazine, and BoatHowTo.com is once again hosting an intensive two-day seminar developed and presented by tech guru Nigel Calder, author of the best-selling Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual. 

Feedback from the 2024 seminars: “Terrific presentation and content”. “Really excellent seminar”. “A great seminar – the right level of detail and practical advice”. “Nigel did an amazing job meeting the diverse experience of his audience from novice (me) to installer/professional”.

The OPE seminar is grounded in the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards for safe installations. But this is not an ABYC class because, as Nigel points out, “you can have a safe installation that nevertheless functions poorly”. We go well beyond the standards to explain how to optimize performance. 

Topics include key design criteria for both DC and AC systems; how to keep batteries in a healthy state;  newer technologies that are transforming the performance of electrical systems; sizing and installing electric circuits in compliance with ABYC standards; critical safety issues related to AC systems;  corrosion; and grounding systems. We highlight commonly seen electrical installation errors, including on new boats, and how to rectify them. We include hands-on terminal crimping practice because poorly made terminals are the bane of many an otherwise decent electrical installation.  

Nigel has built a demonstration board that contains the core pieces of equipment referenced in the presentation, and which illustrates design choices. OPE brings related equipment. We simulate electrical faults on the demonstration board and explore multimeter troubleshooting techniques.  

We cover a lot of ground! This seminar is designed to be accessible to the inexperienced, but this does not mean it will be easy, even for those with prior experience, including some professionals. Class sizes are limited to maximize interaction with the participants. 

There is no way anyone can absorb this volume of information in two days. At a minimum, we want participants to leave with the ability to check a boat for common installation mistakes, to understand and be able to do basic wiring and electrical installations, and to be able to safely conduct simple multimeter troubleshooting procedures that will enable most electrical problems to be identified. 

We send everyone home with a ‘to-do’ list of critical checks for any boat, and a deck of 600 slides for future reference. The objective is to raise the confidence levels of boat owners, and to provide professionals with a perspective that goes beyond ABYC standards to optimized functionality.  

OPE is holding the seminars in the Spring and Fall, just outside of the main tourist season, in the renovated Hyatt Place hotel in downtown Portland, Maine. The Hyatt is situated in the center of the vibrant old district, surrounded by historic buildings, with excellent restaurants and numerous places of interest within walking distance. The hotel has a free shuttle service to and from the easy-to-transit  Portland regional airport (remember to book Portland, Maine, and not Portland, Oregon!). There is an excellent buffet-style breakfast that is included in the seminar’s discounted room rate. OPE provides lunch and refreshments throughout the day. Seminar participants are on their own for dinner. 

This is a unique opportunity to spend time with Nigel, participate in a strictly limited and intense marine electrical education opportunity, and enjoy Portland, Maine, a popular destination city. For more information, go to oceanplanetenergy.com/seminars or email [email protected]