Spring Fit-Out Essentials
with Teresa & Ben Carey | Morse Alpha ExpeditionsGet your boat ready for the season with confidence. Join Teresa and Ben Carey for a practical, systems-focused online class on spring commissioning, smart DIY priorities, and the fixes that matter most before you cast off.
Getting your cruising sailboat ready for spring can feel overwhelming, especially when every system seems to demand attention at once. In this online class, Teresa and Ben Carey help boat owners cut through the noise and focus on what really matters for a safe, reliable, and enjoyable start to the season. From engines and electrical systems to rigging, steering, safety gear, and spare parts, this online class is designed to help you prioritize essential jobs, avoid common mistakes, and head out better prepared.
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ONLINE COURSE OVERVIEW
Spring fit-out is more than a maintenance checklist. It is your chance to make sure your boat is truly ready for the season ahead. Teresa and Ben bring years of hands-on experience commissioning, refitting, and cruising a wide variety of boats, and they know which projects deserve your attention now versus which ones can wait. This online class will help you streamline your approach, reduce overwhelm, and make practical decisions that support safety, reliability, and self-sufficiency on the water.
Who is this online class for?
This online class is for recreational boat owners, both sailors and powerboaters, who want to take a more hands-on role in preparing their boat for the season. It is ideal for newer owners who want step-by-step guidance, experienced cruisers who want to tighten up their routine, and DIY-minded boaters looking to save money while building confidence with onboard systems. If spring commissioning tends to feel intimidating or scattered, this online class will help you create a smarter, more manageable plan.
What Will I Learn?
In this online class, boat owners can expect to learn how to prioritize spring projects, spot issues before they become bigger problems, and tackle many common maintenance jobs with confidence. Teresa and Ben will walk through practical inspections, troubleshooting steps, and DIY fixes across major onboard systems, while also helping attendees understand when it makes sense to bring in a professional. You’ll leave with a clearer plan, a more organized approach, and helpful resources you can use right away.
List of Topics:
- Getting your engine online, including filters, impellers, and starters
- Load testing batteries and checking terminals, regulators, and charging settings
- Steering inspection, emergency tiller drills, and quick autopilot fixes
- Rig and mast inspection including terminals, turnbuckles, spreaders, and mast step
- Servicing your winches
- Managing scope creep and unexpected spring projects
- Inspecting anchor chain, rode, snubber, and bridle setup
- Hull inspection and seasonal checks
- Prop and shaft zinc replacement and inspection
- Safety gear verification and inspection
- Making sure your VHF and communications systems are working properly
- Tank sanitizing, holding tank checks, and spring system refresh
- Building a smart spare parts and tools list
LEADING WITH CONFIDENCE AT SEA
FROM WINTER STORAGE TO CRUISING READINESS
Spring commissioning is more than ticking items off a checklist. It is the moment when boat owners transform uncertainty into confidence by understanding how their systems truly work. This practical session helps you focus on the projects that matter most, avoid costly oversights, and create a clear plan that supports a safe and enjoyable season on the water.
BUILDING SKILLS THAT PREVENT PROBLEMS LATER
A well-prepared boat reduces stress, saves money, and improves safety for every trip ahead. In this online class, you will learn how experienced cruisers evaluate engines, rigging, steering, electrical systems, and onboard equipment with a strategic mindset. You’ll gain practical insight into troubleshooting, prioritization, and smart DIY decision-making so you can approach maintenance with clarity rather than overwhelm.
CONFIDENCE THAT CARRIES THROUGH THE SEASON
When systems are organized and preparation is intentional, boating becomes more rewarding and predictable. You will leave this online class with repeatable processes, practical checklists, and the confidence to tackle spring projects efficiently — allowing you to focus less on uncertainty and more on enjoying time on the water.
YOUR HOSTs
TERESA & BEN CAREY
Teresa Carey and Ben Eriksen Carey are seasoned maritime professionals and co-owners of Morse Alpha Expeditions, a renowned coastal and offshore sail-training program.
Teresa Carey is a US Coast Guard licensed captain, educator, and media producer with a wide-ranging background in sail training, passagemaking, and maritime education. She has captained schooners, sailing yachts, motor yachts, and even a lobster boat, and has taught for programs including Outward Bound. Teresa brings a calm, practical teaching style and a deep understanding of what it takes to prepare both boats and crews for safe, capable cruising.
Ben Carey is a seasoned mariner, boatbuilder, and co-owner of Morse Alpha Expeditions, where he and Teresa lead coastal and offshore sail-training experiences. Ben’s hands-on experience with boat systems, refits, maintenance, and passagemaking gives him a practical, solutions-oriented approach that resonates with DIY boat owners. Together, Teresa and Ben help make complex projects feel approachable, efficient, and grounded in real-world cruising.
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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