You cannot understand your boat’s electrical system if you do not understand electricity. Learn what electricity is and how it works so you can take and understand the boat electrical systems courses. Learn voltage, current, watts, batteries, AC vs DC, and electrical safety in plain English using real-world boating examples.
Modern boats depend completely on reliable electrical systems. Everything from engine starting to navigation, lighting, refrigeration, and safety equipment requires electricity to function properly. But without understanding the fundamentals — voltage, current, watts, resistance, and battery capacity — marine electrical systems can seem confusing and intimidating. This online class explains electricity using simple, visual examples, including an easy-to-understand water analogy, so you can clearly understand how your boat’s electrical system works and prepare for more advanced marine electrical training.
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ONLINE CLASS OVERVIEW
Electricity Basics is an online class designed specifically for boaters and marine students with little or no electrical background. This online class explains the essential electrical concepts required to safely operate, maintain, and troubleshoot your boat’s electrical system. You will learn how electricity works on boats, the difference between AC and DC power, how batteries store and deliver energy, how to calculate power and electrical loads, why wire size matters, how resistance can cause dangerous overheating and fires, and how to monitor and manage your electrical system. Electricity is explained in plain language using real boating examples and visual teaching methods. This online class is a great introduction for marine electrical maintenance and electronics.
Who is this online class for?
This online class is ideal for boat owners, sailboat owners, cruising boaters, new boat owners, marine students, DIY boat maintenance enthusiasts, and anyone planning to take marine electrical or electronics classes. No prior electrical experience is required.
What Will I Learn?
By the end of this online class, you will understand what voltage, current, watts, and resistance are and how electricity flows through your boat. You will learn the difference between AC and DC power, how to calculate power usage, how batteries store energy and how capacity is measured, why proper wire size is critical, how resistance can cause overheating and fire, and how to monitor your electrical system safely. You will also gain a clear understanding of how inverters, shore power, and onboard systems work.
List of Topics:
- Electricity explained using water analogy
- Voltage, Current, and Power
- Power calculations
- Battery capacity and Amp-Hours
- AC vs DC systems
- Marine battery systems
- Electrical safety
- Resistance and overheating
- Electrical monitoring tools
- Digital Volt Meter use
- Battery monitoring systems
- Charging systems and charging stages
POWER WITHOUT CONFUSION
Understanding the Language of Electricity
Modern boats depend on reliable electrical systems, yet many owners feel uncertain about how those systems actually function. This foundational online class explains voltage, current, watts, resistance, and battery capacity in clear, practical terms using real-world boating examples and simple analogies. Instead of memorizing terms, you will understand how electricity moves through your boat and why each component matters.
Building Safe and Reliable Systems
Understanding AC versus DC power, battery storage, load calculations, and proper wire sizing is essential for safe operation. This online class explains how electricity flows onboard, how to calculate power usage, and why resistance and improper wiring can lead to overheating and fire. You will gain the knowledge needed to operate, monitor, and troubleshoot your electrical system responsibly.
A Foundation for Advanced Skills
Designed specifically for non-technical boaters, this course creates a strong conceptual base for marine electrical maintenance and electronics training. You will leave with the confidence to interpret electrical data, use monitoring tools properly, and manage your onboard systems safely and effectively.
YOUR HOST
Jeff Grossman
Captain Jeff Grossman is a marine professional with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering and extensive real-world boating experience. He specializes in teaching electrical systems to boaters using clear, easy-to-understand methods designed specifically for non-technical audiences. His practical teaching style helps students safely understand, manage, and troubleshoot their boat’s electrical systems with confidence.
ONLINE CLASS REGISTRATION
@ 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (90 min)
Regular Price
$39
ASA Member Price
$29
ON-DEMAND ACCESS
All registrations include unlimited on-demand access to the recordings of the live online class. So if you are unable to attend live you can still register and watch at your leisure.
ASA MEMBER DISCOUNT
American Sailing Members can claim their discount in the Member Portal. If you're not a current member then for only $59/year you can join or renew today!
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