Boat repair is a trade.
Learn it on real boats.

1. Weeks 1–2Fundamentals and safety. Fiberglass composition, polyester and epoxy resins, laminate schedules, PPE, ventilation and MSDS. In the lab: damage assessment, grinding and cutting practice, resin mixing.
2. Weeks 3–4Structural repair. Core material repair in balsa and foam, wet layup, vacuum bagging, tabbing. In the lab: drilled holes, cracks and impact damage on hull panels.
3. Weeks 5–6Gelcoat application and repair. Gelcoat chemistry, color matching, spraying versus brushing, curing. In the lab: patching, fairing, spraying, buffing and polishing.
4. Weeks 7–8Advanced cosmetic restoration. Blending repairs, final finishing, troubleshooting blisters and osmosis. In the lab: a full repair project on a donated hull section, then final assessment.

Tooling: grinders, sanders, laminating tools, spray guns, gelcoat, resins, PPE, fume extractors.

Aligned to ABYC, ICOMIA and Florida Marine Trade Association standards.

1. Weeks 9–10Materials and substrate prep. Synthetic teak, EVA and paint-on systems, adhesive chemistry, substrate requirements. In the lab: cleaning, degreasing and contouring templates.
2. Weeks 11–12Installation technique. Measuring and cutting complex shapes, adhesive application, seam sealing, heat forming. In the lab: EVA foam on mock decks and trim work.
3. Weeks 13–14Synthetic teak systems. Plank systems, caulking, fastener options, drainage. In the lab: synthetic teak panels and caulking practice.
4. Weeks 15–16Repair and business practice. Damage assessment, partial replacement, client communication, quoting. In the lab: repairing damaged sections, then final project assessment.

Tooling: templates, cutting tools, rollers, adhesives, sealants, EVA foam, synthetic teak kits.

Aligned to Flexiteek, SeaDek and EVA foam manufacturer specifications, plus USCG safety standards.

1. Weeks 17–18Electrical fundamentals and safety. Ohm's Law, circuit diagrams, wire sizing, corrosion prevention, GFCI and ABYC compliance. In the lab: multimeters and wiring simple circuits.
2. Weeks 19–20Power systems and components. AGM and LiFePO4 batteries, chargers and inverters, switch panels, bus bars, grounding. In the lab: installing battery banks and configuring switch panels.
3. Weeks 21–22Navigation and communication. VHF radios, GPS and chartplotters, AIS, NMEA 2000 networking. In the lab: VHF antenna installation and building an NMEA backbone.
4. Weeks 23–24Lighting, pumps and troubleshooting. LED lighting, bilge pump systems, fault diagnosis. In the lab: LED circuits and diagnosing mock failures.

Tooling: multimeters, crimpers, wire strippers, NMEA tools, marine-grade wire, terminals, panels.

Aligned to ABYC E-11 electrical standards and NMEA 2000 protocols.

1. Weeks 25–26Rules and regulations. Florida registration, required equipment, navigation rules, PFD law, alcohol regulations. In the lab: safety equipment inspection and float plan drafting.
2. Weeks 27–28Navigation and operation. Aids to navigation, chart reading, tides and currents, docking, man overboard. In the lab: simulator navigation and knot tying.
3. Weeks 29–30Emergencies and environment. Engine failure, fire response, hypothermia, marine pollution law and no-discharge zones. In the lab: fire extinguisher use and simulated flare deployment.
4. Weeks 31–32Exam prep and on-water skills. Practice exams and test strategy. On the water: docking and slow-speed maneuvering with licensed captains.

Tooling: FWC materials, navigation simulators, charts, safety equipment, training vessel.

Aligned to Florida FWC curriculum and USCG Navigation Rules.

Note: the four-course spine above runs 32 weeks. The short-cycle series runs 13. Confirm with the academy which intake is running.