Miami International Boat Show - Sailor's Cove Education
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Sailor's Cove Seminar Schedule
February 12th, 2026
Room A
11:00
Ask A Captain
Sailor's Cove Room A
Do you ever wish you had a professional captain onboard with you, so you could ask him or her questions about the situations that challenge you on the water? Join captains from the Annapolis School of Seamanship for a question and answer session. Come to the show and bring your questions!
Presented By: Annapolis School of Seamanship
12:30
Diesel Basics
Sailor's Cove Room A
Whether you’re thinking about buying a boat with a diesel engine or already own one and want to feel more confident? This seminar from the Annapolis School of Seamanship is a must for cruisers, weekenders, and aspiring boat owners alike. In 90 minutes, Captain John will break down the fundamentals of marine diesel engines in plain, practical terms. You’ll learn how they work, what the key components do, how systems connect—and what to do when something goes wrong. Whether you're hoping to avoid costly mistakes or just want to better understand what’s happening under the hatch, this seminar gives you the confidence to cruise smarter, safer, and more self-reliant.
Presented By: Captain John Martino, Annapolis School of Seamanship
14:00
How to Get Your Captain's License
Sailor's Cove Room A
Between the USCG requirements for sea time, physicals, applications and examinations, getting a captain’s license can seem daunting. Annapolis School of Seamanship’s expert captains will discuss the ins and outs of becoming a licensed captain.
Topics Include:
• Types of Licenses
• Pre-requisites
• Application Process
• Using your License
Presented By: Annapolis School of Seamanship
15:30
Anchoring and Mooring
Sailor's Cove Room A
Anchoring is an art as well as a skill. From choosing the best place to anchor to handling the ground tackle, this seminar will demystify the art of dropping the hook.
Presented By: Annapolis School of Seamanship
Room B
11:00
Understanding the Yacht Survey Process
Sailor's Cove Room B
Curtis Stokes will discuss the different types of surveys, how to find a surveyor, how the survey is conducted and finally how to understand the survey results.
Presented By: Curtis Stokes, Founder & Owner of Curtis Stokes & Associates
12:30
Galley Magic Underway: Cooking Tips & Tricks at Sea
Sailor's Cove Room B
Cooking on a moving boat doesn’t have to be stressful (or messy). In this seminar, you’ll learn practical, proven tips to cook confidently while underway—covering galley safety, smart meal planning, prep shortcuts, storage systems, and easy clean-up routines. Walk away with simple techniques to prevent spills, stay organized, and keep meals delicious.
Presented By: Captain Kira Maixner, ASA Master Instructor and USCG 100-ton Master
14:00
Owning a Charter Yacht
Sailor's Cove Room B
Owning a yacht within a charter fleet is a popular alternative to traditional boat ownership. This seminar covers how charter ownership works including typical programs, financial breakdown, operational responsibilities, and lifestyle benefits. Explore the different programs available and key questions to ask before deciding if charter ownership is right for you.
Presented By: Capt. John Martino, Annapolis School of Seamanship & Ian Pederson, The Moorings
15:30
Marine Weather
Sailor's Cove Room B
This seminar will cover the “what” and “why” of weather, allowing boaters to understand where to find important weather information using multiple resources and how to apply it to their boating lifestyle. Attendants will learn about the latest weather applications and how to use them effectively to determine whether to go or not to go. You don’t need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. You just need to know how to find out what’s going to happen and how to make good decisions. This seminar covers everything from apps to passage planning to heavy weather tactics
Presented By: Captain Mike Riley, Annapolis School of Seamanship
February 13th, 2026
Room A
11:00
Marine Weather
Sailor's Cove Room A
This seminar will cover the “what” and “why” of weather, allowing boaters to understand where to find important weather information using multiple resources and how to apply it to their boating lifestyle. Attendants will learn about the latest weather applications and how to use them effectively to determine whether to go or not to go. You don’t need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. You just need to know how to find out what’s going to happen and how to make good decisions. This seminar covers everything from apps to passage planning to heavy weather tactics
Presented By: Captain Mike Riley, Annapolis School of Seamanship
12:30
Anchoring & Mooring
Sailor's Cove Room A
Anchoring is an art as well as a skill. From choosing the best place to anchor to handling the ground tackle, this seminar will demystify the art of dropping the hook.
Presented By: Annapolis School of Seamanship
14:00
Docking De-Stressed
Sailor's Cove Room A
Is docking your vessel causing you stress and anxiety?
Captain John from the Annapolis School of Seamanship
show you the ropes, tricks, and techniques to make docking
easy.
Topics Include:
• Situational Awareness
• Forces
• Line Handling
• Communication
• Close Quarters Maneuvering
Presented By: Captain John Martino, Annapolis School of Seamanship
15:30
How to Get Your Captain's License
Sailor's Cove Room A
Between the USCG requirements for sea time, physicals,
applications and examinations, getting a captain’s license
can seem daunting. Annapolis School of Seamanship’s
expert captains will discuss the ins and outs of becoming a
licensed captain.
Topics Include:
• Types of Licenses
• Pre-requisites
• Application Process
• Using your License
Room B
11:00
Boat Buying
Sailor's Cove Room B
Curtis Stokes will discuss the proper boat buying process from A-Z or from shopping to closing. He will discuss how to find your dream boat, how to survey it and how to close on it. This seminar is packed with detail and a few war stories
Presented By: Curtis Stokes, Founder & Owner of Curtis Stokes & Associates
12:30
Foreign Flagging Your Yacht
Sailor's Cove Room B
Foreign flagging refers to the documentation of a yacht in a foreign country for buyers who intend to use their foreign built yacht in the U.S. but do not intend to permanently import the yacht. Foreign flagging is generally available to yachts longer than 12 meters (39 feet) and might be an effective means of dealing with costly duties, tariffs and state taxes via a renewable one-year Cruising permit. A foreign flag may offer a broader range of options for insurance or financing; and can be an attractive option for yacht owners facing Lacey Act requirements related to the sourcing of all wood products aboard, which might otherwise prevent importation.
Presented By: Maritime Attorney Todd Lochner, Lochner Law Firm
14:00
From Day Trips to Distance: Planning Your First 200+ NM Voyage
Sailor's Cove Room B
Speaker: Captain Kira Maixner, ASA Master Instructor and USCG 100-ton Master- Description: Your first 200+ nautical mile trip is a major milestone—and it’s all about preparation. This seminar covers the key planning steps to set yourself up for success, including route and weather strategy, crew readiness, watch and fatigue planning, safety gear, provisioning, and smart systems for communication, navigation, and contingencies.
Presented By: Captain Kira Maixner, ASA Master Instructor and USCG 100-ton Master
15:30
Celestial Navigation
Sailor's Cove Room B
Discover the timeless art of celestial navigation in this informative seminar designed for sailors of all experience levels. Learn how mariners use the sun, moon, and stars to determine position at sea—no GPS required. We’ll cover the basics of sextant use, sight reduction, and how celestial techniques can enhance your offshore confidence and self-reliance.
Presented By: Captain Mike Riley, Annapolis School of Seamanship
February 14th, 2026
Room A
11:00
Diesel Basics
Sailor's Cove Room A
Whether you’re thinking about buying a boat with a diesel engine or already own one and want to feel more confident? This seminar from the Annapolis School of Seamanship is a must for cruisers, weekenders, and aspiring boat owners alike. In 90 minutes, Captain John will break down the fundamentals of marine diesel engines in plain, practical terms. You’ll learn how they work, what the key components do, how systems connect—and what to do when something goes wrong. Whether you're hoping to avoid costly mistakes or just want to better understand what’s happening under the hatch, this seminar gives you the confidence to cruise smarter, safer, and more self-reliant.
Presented By: Captain John Martino, Annapolis School of Seamanship
12:30
Collision Avoidance - Radar, AIS and the Nav. Rules
Sailor's Cove Room A
Day, night and in restricted visibility, boating accidents are usually preventable. Captain John Martino of the Annapolis School of Seamanship will help you learn how to avoid collisions underway by effectively using your Radar, AIS (Automatic Identification System), VHF Radio, and Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA). This is a session you won’t want to miss.
Presented By: Captain John Martino, Annapolis School of Seamanship
14:00
Put Your Boat to Work
Sailor's Cove Room A
It’s no secret that owning and operating your own boat is rewarding…but expensive. Like so many boaters, you may have wondered what it would take to earn a little income off your boat. There’s the thought of offering it for bareboat charters, or getting your captain’s license to become a bona fide charter captain. But before you get carried away, there are a number of requirements to consider besides a simple captain’s license
Presented By: Captain John Martino, Annapolis School of Seamanship
15:30
Docking De-Stressed
Sailor's Cove Room A
Is docking your vessel causing you stress and anxiety? Captain John from the Annapolis School of Seamanship show you the ropes, tricks, and techniques to make docking easy.
Topics Include:
• Situational Awareness
• Forces
• Line Handling
• Communication
• Close Quarters Maneuvering
Presented By: Captain John Martino, Annapolis School of Seamanship
Room B
11:00
Cruising The Great Loop
Sailor's Cove Room B
In this seminar, Curtis Stokes brings the Great Loop dream to vivid life. Based on his real-world experience advising countless cruisers, Curtis explores the heart of the Looper lifestyle, from what you’ll see along the way and how long it takes, to the challenges couples face and how life afloat compares to life ashore. He’ll tackle the toughest questions: time, budget, safety, community, and planning. Start preparing for the unforgettable journey of the Great Loop. Perfect for seasoned sailors and armchair dreamers alike.
Presented By: Curtis Stokes, Founder & Owner of Curtis Stokes & Associates
12:30
Celestial Navigation
Sailor's Cove Room B
Discover the timeless art of celestial navigation in this informative seminar designed for sailors of all experience levels. Learn how mariners use the sun, moon, and stars to determine position at sea—no GPS required. We’ll cover the basics of sextant use, sight reduction, and how celestial techniques can enhance your offshore confidence and self-reliance.
Presented By: Captain Mike Riley, Annapolis School of Seamanship
14:00
Boat Buying
Sailor's Cove Room B
Curtis Stokes will discuss the proper boat buying process from A-Z or from shopping to closing. He will discuss how to find your dream boat, how to survey it and how to close on it. This seminar is packed with detail and a few war stories
Presented By: Curtis Stokes, Founder & Owner of Curtis Stokes & Associates
15:30
How to Get Your Captain's License
Sailor's Cove Room B
Between the USCG requirements for sea time, physicals, applications and examinations, getting a captain’s license can seem daunting. Annapolis School of Seamanship’s expert captains will discuss the ins and outs of becoming a licensed captain.
Topics Include:
• Types of Licenses
• Pre-requisites
• Application Process
• Using your License
February 15th, 2026
Room A
11:00
Ask A Captain
Sailor's Cove Room A
Do you ever wish you had a professional captain onboard with you, so you could ask him or her questions about the situations that challenge you on the water? Join captains from the Annapolis School of Seamanship for a question and answer session. Come to the show and bring your questions!
Presented By: Annapolis School of Seamanship
12:30
How to Get Your Captain's License
Sailor's Cove Room A
Between the USCG requirements for sea time, physicals, applications and examinations, getting a captain’s license can seem daunting. Annapolis School of Seamanship’s expert captains will discuss the ins and outs of becoming a licensed captain.
Topics Include:
• Types of Licenses
• Pre-requisites
• Application Process
• Using your License
Presented By: Annapolis School of Seamanship
14:00
Diesel Basics
Sailor's Cove Room A
Whether you’re thinking about buying a boat with a diesel engine or already own one and want to feel more confident? This seminar from the Annapolis School of Seamanship is a must for cruisers, weekenders, and aspiring boat owners alike. In 90 minutes, Captain John will break down the fundamentals of marine diesel engines in plain, practical terms. You’ll learn how they work, what the key components do, how systems connect—and what to do when something goes wrong. Whether you're hoping to avoid costly mistakes or just want to better understand what’s happening under the hatch, this seminar gives you the confidence to cruise smarter, safer, and more self-reliant.
Presented By: Captain John Martino, Annapolis School of Seamanship
