Boat Battery Basics - Online Class

4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET

Boat Battery Basics

with 

Gio & Julie Cappelli

 | 

Pelagic Blue Cruising
Take the mystery out of your boat’s electrical system with this essential guide to batteries, charging, and onboard power management.
Your boat’s batteries are the heart of its electrical system—storing, supplying, and safeguarding the energy you need to cruise with confidence. Yet for many sailors, battery care feels confusing or intimidating. This online class breaks it down step by step so you can understand your boat’s power system and take charge of maintaining it, whether you’re preparing for coastal cruising or an extended offshore passage.
FREE
79
Boat Battery Basics

Online class overview

Your boat’s batteries are the heart of its electrical system—storing, supplying, and safeguarding the energy you need to cruise with confidence. Yet for many sailors, battery care feels confusing or intimidating. This online class breaks it down step by step so you can understand your boat’s power system and take charge of maintaining it, whether you’re preparing for coastal cruising or an extended offshore passage.

Who is this online class for?

This series is designed for:

What will I learn?

This online class will give you the confidence to understand, evaluate, and care for your boat’s batteries. You’ll learn how to identify different battery types, measure capacity and health, and apply best practices that maximize lifespan and reliability. You’ll also gain insight into modern charging solutions—including solar and other alternatives—that keep your boat comfortable and functional even far from shore power.

List of topics:

  • SESSION 1: Building Your Battery Foundations
  • Electricity 101
  • Battery construction and chemistries
  • Battery ratings and cycling
  • Charging
  • Evaluating your boat’s batteries
  • SESSION 2: Powering Up for Real-World Cruising
  • Battery challenges
  • Installation
  • Alternative charging sources
  • Offshore and remote cruising best practices

Your Host
Gio & Julie Cappelli
Gio & Julie Cappelli are both graduates of Skagit Valley College’s Marine Maintenance Technology Program and are USCG licensed Masters. They have sailed more than 20,000 miles through the Pacific aboard their Malӧ 39 and are both owners of Pelagic Blue Cruising Services, where they help cruisers prepare themselves and their boats for offshore cruising. 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. 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 for the Department of Interior. 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 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 electrical 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!

Get the class Bundle

Online Class Registration

@ 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (90 min)

Regular Price

$

79

ASA Member Price

$

59

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!