At a glance:

• Cost | $295
• Website | nwmaritime.org
• Email | symposium@nwmaritime.org
• Phone | 360-385-3628 x124

Over twenty-five top boating experts will gather with two hundred sail and power boaters in Port Townsend for the second annual Spring Boating Symposium on March 16-18. Held at the Northwest Maritime Center campus and Point Hudson Marina, the symposium will once again be an innovative blend of interactive lectures, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and opportunities to network with other boaters and experts. Presentations will be relevant to owners of both power and sailing vessels of all hull materials, arranged loosely around the themes of Seamanship, Boating Lifestyle, and System & Vessel Maintenance.

Specific topics will include rigging, docking procedures and strategies, practical safety onboard, celestial navigation, setting the pole for downwind sailing, sailing upwind, provisioning, maritime weather and many more. There will be at least two classes geared specifically toward women. Confirmed presenters include Steve D’Antonio, Steve Callahan, Barbara Merritt, Lisa Vizzini, Carol Hasse, Brion Toss, Ace Spragg, Jeff Sanders and many more.

The symposium keynote speaker will be Steve Callahan, a sailor, boat designer, ocean survivor, and the best-selling author of Adrift, which chronicled his 76-day liferaft voyage in 1982. While Callahan will present his survival story Friday night, he has also logged over 80,000 trouble-free miles offshore, including seven ocean crossings, on everything from pocket cruisers and proas to gaff-rigged classics during a career spanning more than 40 years.

Saturday night’s presentation, Transitions: Taking Your Boating to the Next Step, will feature a panel of speakers with a range of boating and cruising experience sharing their stories and answering questions about how to make the jump from weekend boater to world cruiser.

In addition to hands-on workshops, tales of adventure, informative lectures and evening social opportunities, there will be a variety of Northwest power and sail boats open for tours to symposium participants and the public throughout the weekend.

Registration is limited to 200 people. Lodging or marina berths are available. For lodging choices and general information about Port Townsend, visit http://www.ptguide.com. For information on the marina, visit http://www.portofpt.com/point_hudson.htm. More information is available at http://www.nwmaritime.org or by calling 360-385-3628 ext. 124 or email symposium@nwmaritime.org.