Diesel Engine Seminar
Mack Boring Technical Center
Exactly what are the various parts of my engine, how do they work together and how do I maintain them? These are questions I had the opportunity to find answers for myself recently. I joined participants from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia for the diesel engine workshop at the Mack Boring Technical Center in Union, NJ. After attending the two day hands-on sailboat diesel engine workshop, you will learn the answers to these questions and many more.
Sponsored by the National Women’s Sailing Association, the seminar covers components of the engine lubrication system, maintenance of the electrical & cooling system, how to service and maintain your engine, winterizing, etc. The class was geared toward those who haven’t had much prior experience with diesel engines.
The women-only workshop is an intense, practical seminar which highlights the proper methods of basic engine service and emergency repairs. The types of tools needed to repair an engine are discussed, as well as the lubrication and fuel systems. Other topics included understanding your service manual and how to access your engine. The seminar leads you back and forth between practical classroom/workbook time and applied engine time where-in you get to physically work on an engine similar to the one you own, with plenty of time for questions.
When aske
d why these women chose to attend the seminar, Monica Holmes from Brooklyn responded, “I want to know what they’re doing when they service my engine.” Another participant, Leslie Owen, from Pennsylvania responded, “My husband took this course ten years ago and he has since said it was the best investment we’ve ever made! And now, I’m taking it.”
Joan Thayer, president of NWSA, and a longtime sailor, who also attended the conference said, “I always like to be prepar
ed” in response to why she attended the class. Preparation, attendees found out, is key to a successful journey, and that preparedness starts well before you leave the dock.
This particular course is the first women-only course that has been offered in about six years, according to Instructor Larry Berlin. Larry has been teaching these courses at Mack Boring since 1974. When I asked Larry what the difference is between teaching women the course and teaching men, he responded that women tend to be better listeners! If you are interested in taking a diesel engine course in the future, please visit our website, www.boatus.com/women for more information.
Colleen Halverson
BoatUS
