Port Townsend Bay can become more enticing for sailors as the weather warms up.

But for those who need to brush up on sailing, rigging or self-sufficiency skills, Port Townsend can be a place to learn from masters.

The Northwest Maritime Center offers classes and programs each month on navigation, tides and preparing for the summer boating season.

The classes can help mariners prepare for the summer, and they can be for people interested in marine activities. People who don’t have a boat or have never sailed before are welcome, said Robin Mills, program director at the center.

“All of our programming is really a platform for character building and life experiences,” Mills said. “If you get really excited about becoming a mariner, that’s awesome. But even if you leave with a sense of accomplishment and confidence in yourself, then that is just another feather in your cap to becoming more confident in your life.”

The following is a list of some upcoming maritime classes in Port Townsend:

Tides and currents
The Northwest Maritime Center will offer a class on tides and currents on March 2 and April 27.

“If you don’t understand the impact of tides and currents on your on-the-water activities, then you’ll potentially find yourself in a hard-to-navigate spot,” Mills said.

Understanding the tides and currents is an important skill for kayakers, rowers, sailors and boaters.

The class, which will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, will teach students about the nature of Puget Sound waters, and how tides can affect daily life and water activities.

To learn more, go to the Northwest Maritime Center’s website.

Weather classes
The Northwest Maritime Center will offer a monthly class on weather starting Feb. 19.

Taught by meteorology professor David Wilkinson, the course will have different themes each month.

During the February class, students will learn about the nature of wind, from global circulation to local patterns. On March 19, students will learn about Pacific Northwest terrain to better interpret and apply the general area forecast.

Learning how land affects wind speed and direction over coastal and inland waters will help sailors to use basic weather principles to predict winds and sea states for their next cruise.

To register, go to the Northwest Maritime Center’s website.

Outboard maintenance
The Northwest Maritime Center’s outboard maintenance class March 23 will help boaters get ready for the summer season.

“This is to support you as you’re getting ready to get out on the water,” Mills said. “As the weather is getting nicer, there are some things you should know about in terms of getting your outboard ready to go.”

Students will learn the basics of simple and routine small outboard motor maintenance, including changing the oil, fuel, lubrication, electrical inspection and diagnosis of common problems.

To learn more, visit the Northwest Maritime Center’s website.

Rig Your Boat workshop
Brion Toss will offer three days of rigging workshops April 5-7 at his shop, Brion Toss Yacht Riggers, located at Point Hudson.

Each class is limited to 12 people to allow for hands-on help. Students will learn design, sizing and layout of rigging for their own boat, basic splicing, and get hands-on experience with drills, taps, rivets, tuning gauges, deck hardware and other tools.

They will also hear a few tips and tricks on how to work aloft safely and productively.

“You can go aloft for the fun of it, I suppose, but why would you?” Toss said. “Maybe that’s the difference between art and artisanship. You’re trying to accomplish something. The release of endorphins you get from measuring or repairing something aloft is a big part of it.”

To learn more, visit the Brion Toss Yacht Riggers website.

Hand Sewing Skills workshop
The Artful Sailor will offer a workshop on basic palm and needle canvas work on March 30.

Students will learn how to make a sailor’s “ditty bag,” using all-natural materials, such as canvas, twine and beeswax. Along the way, they will learn a variety of stitches and sewing skills that may be useful for any sail repair when out on the water.

To learn more, visit The Artful Sailor’s website.
 
Blade Sharpening workshop
Since every sailor and stitchmate needs a good knife and shears, The Artful Sailor will offer a workshop on blade sharpening on March 2.

Port Townsend's Alex Moro, the “King of Cutlery,” has been using and sharpening blades since childhood. Owner of Al's Blade Service, Moro will impart some tricks of the blade-sharpening trade for students.

To learn more, visit The Artful Sailor’s website.  

Sail Making
The Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building will offer  a weeklong course on sail making from March 25-29.

With instructor Sean Rankins from Northwest Canvas and Sails, students will learn the science and art behind the age-old craft. Rankins will help students understand basic principles of design and practical hands-on techniques for building sails.

To learn more, visit the School of Wooden Boat Building website.

11th Century Norse Boatbuilding
The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding will offer a three-day workshop on the art of boatbuilding in the Viking Age.

The course will introduce students to the technology of the period, the methods of construction and the unique tools used in building “klinker” boats before sawmills were invented.

From the smelting of bog iron for rivets and the development of steel edge tools to understanding the intrinsic nature of individual species of trees and their most effective place in shipbuilding, students will be immersed in Norse shipbuilding during the workshop.

To register, visit the School of Wooden Boat Building website.