Wanting to be more self-sufficient and increase my knowledge of the diesel engine aboard my Beneteau 311, I signed up for Boater University’s online course Marine Diesel Maintenance and Troubleshooting. The course is comprised of 11 video modules ranging from 8-23 minutes in length. Each module is focused on an engine system or component. For example, the first module is titled, “Alternators: How they work and what to do if they stop working.” Other topics include belts, filters, impellers, fuel system bleeding, cooling system, and shaft seals. The last module is titled, “What to Do When Your Engine Won’t Start: Simple procedures to get you back underway.”
I appreciated being able to progress at my own pace and watch videos as many times as I needed. Production quality is good, and my access to the course doesn’t expire. I found the videos interesting and the information I gained very worthwhile. The only drawback I can cite is scope. The course covers small diesel auxiliaries found in sailboats like mine, but also covers massive twin-diesel-engine installations found in large powerboats. Of course, I would have preferred a course that was focused on small diesels in sailboats, but the material was still applicable.
For more information: boatersuniversity.com.
