TrawlerFest LIVE Online Summit — November 12–14
Running November 12–14, TrawlerFest’s new LIVE Online Summit brings together a compact, practical lineup of virtual seminars and demonstrations designed for trawler owners, prospective buyers and cruising enthusiasts. Delivered over three days, the Summit includes a dozen sessions you can attend from anywhere using a computer, tablet or smartphone.
What the Summit Covers
The program focuses on the real-world skills and decision-making that matter most to trawler owners and cruisers. Topics include engine monitoring and troubleshooting, handling a vessel in challenging seas, buying and selling boats, and planning popular cruising routes. Practical demonstrations and expert-led seminars will cover:
- Power loss and emergency procedures when underway — what to do if you lose propulsion or electrical systems in a seaway
- Engine and systems monitoring best practices to prevent breakdowns and extend reliability
- Boat handling techniques for tight maneuvers, anchoring and rough-water control
- Yacht buying guidance, including how to approach surveys and what to look for in used trawlers
- Hiring and working with a qualified surveyor to protect your purchase
- Cruising destinations and route planning, with highlights such as the Down East Loop and Chesapeake Bay cruising tips
Who Should Attend
TrawlerFest LIVE is aimed at a wide range of attendees: new boat owners looking to build confidence, experienced cruisers who want to refine skills, anyone considering buying a trawler, and those planning extended coastal passages. Because seminars are virtual, the Summit is also well suited to people who cannot travel to in-person events but still want focused, actionable instruction and practical advice.
Why This Format Works
Virtual delivery lets presenters use demonstrations, diagrams and live Q&A to address common problems without the need to be physically present. Participants can join sessions from their home, marina office or aboard a boat, and they can replay recorded sessions if available. The format prioritizes concise, applicable information: each seminar is tailored to help attendees immediately apply techniques and decision-making tools while underway or when preparing a purchase.
Tips to Get the Most from TrawlerFest LIVE
- Set aside a quiet space and reliable internet connection so you can watch demonstrations and ask questions in real time.
- Prepare a list of questions related to your boat, engine setup or cruising route to get focused answers during Q&A.
- Have your onboard documentation or equipment manuals nearby—being able to reference specific systems or model numbers can make advice more useful.
- Take notes and capture screenshots of key diagrams or checklists; these sessions are designed to produce practical checklists you can reuse at sea.
Registration and More Information
For more information and to sign up, visit the PassageMaker page for TrawlerFest LIVE. The Summit offers a strong mixture of practical instruction and scenario-based training that can help you avoid common problems, make smarter purchase decisions and gain confidence handling a trawler in coastal and offshore conditions.
Whether you’re preparing for your first extended cruise, planning to buy a used trawler, or looking to sharpen your engine monitoring and boat handling skills, the TrawlerFest LIVE Online Summit is designed to deliver high-value, accessible education over three focused days.