Basic Boat Electrics Course
This course gives you the fundamental knowledge to understand and look after the electrical system of a small boat. You will learn the basic quantities of electricity, how batteries, charging sources, fuses, switches and panels fit together, how to wire and connect safely in a marine environment, and how to use a multimeter to find common faults, so that your installation stays safe, reliable and efficient. It suits beginners as well as those who want to consolidate their skills.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Basic Boat Electrics Course?
This short, entry-level course is designed for owners, crew and technicians who work on the 12 V and 24 V systems of motorboats, small sailing yachts, tenders, catamarans and fishing boats. You will study the difference between direct and alternating current and the basic quantities of voltage, current, resistance and power; batteries and battery banks, isolators and charging from alternators, shore chargers and solar panels; fuses, breakers, bus bars and earth connections; marine cable, crimped and heat-shrink connections and the prevention of galvanic corrosion; the wiring of lights, bilge pumps, USB sockets and small consumers; and the diagnosis of everyday faults with a multimeter.
What sets this course apart: a clear, step-by-step explanation of each concept for people starting out in boat electrics, rather than the larger installations covered in more advanced programs; practical calculation of consumption, autonomy, voltage drop and cable size; a strong emphasis on electrical safety, from short circuits and overloads to reversed polarity and fire risk; and an applied project in which you diagnose the electrical system of a small boat and draw up its basic wiring diagram, installation and test plan and maintenance plan.
Program highlights
- Electrical basics: DC and AC, voltage, current, resistance, power and electrical autonomy.
- Batteries and charging: AGM, gel and lithium batteries, isolators, alternators, chargers and solar panels.
- Circuit protection: fuses, breakers, relays, bus bars, earths and overcurrent protection.
- Wiring and connections: marine cable, crimping, heat-shrink and prevention of galvanic corrosion.
- Fault-finding with the multimeter: flat batteries, blown fuses, weak earths and phantom loads.
- Applied project: basic wiring diagram, installation and maintenance plan for a small boat.
Syllabus of the Basic Boat Electrics Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of boat electrics, electrical safety and basic onboard systems
- 1.1. The concept of electricity on boats and the differences between direct current, alternating current, low voltage and auxiliary systems
- 1.2. Basic quantities: voltage, current, resistance, power, capacity, energy consumption and electrical autonomy
- 1.3. Main components: batteries, cables, fuses, switches, electrical panels, chargers, alternators and consumers
- 1.4. Particular features of the marine environment: humidity, salinity, vibration, corrosion, motion and confined spaces
- 1.5. Electrical risks: short circuits, overloads, electric shock, fire, sulphation, poor connections and reversed polarity
Batteries, charging, electrical distribution and circuit protection
- 2.1. Types of battery: lead-acid, AGM, gel and lithium, and basic selection criteria by use, capacity and safety
- 2.2. Battery banks, starter battery, house battery, paralleling, isolators and separation of circuits
- 2.3. Charging systems: alternator, shore charger, solar panels, regulators, generators and auxiliary sources
- 2.4. Fuses, circuit breakers, relays, switches, bus bars, earths, common negatives and overcurrent protection
- 2.5. Basic calculation of consumption, autonomy, available capacity, voltage drop and initial cable sizing
Wiring, connections, panels, lighting and basic electrical equipment
- 3.1. Types of marine cable, cross-sections, insulation, colors, labeling, conduits and protection against moisture and chafing
- 3.2. Connectors, terminals, crimping, soldering, heat-shrink, junction boxes and prevention of galvanic corrosion
- 3.3. Electrical panels, switches, indicators, voltmeters, ammeters, battery monitors and organization of circuits
- 3.4. Installation of interior lighting, navigation lights, bilge pumps, USB sockets, power outlets, fans and small consumers
- 3.5. Good practice in tidiness, accessibility, securing cables, documenting circuits and future maintenance
Electrical fault diagnosis, use of the multimeter and preventive maintenance
- 4.1. Common faults: flat battery, blown fuse, corroded cable, faulty switch, weak earth and phantom consumption
- 4.2. Basic use of the multimeter to measure voltage, continuity, resistance, polarity, current draw and voltage drop
- 4.3. Diagnosis of charging problems: alternator, charger, solar regulator, loose connections and worn batteries
- 4.4. Spotting overheating, burning smells, sparks, corrosion, moisture, poor contacts and poorly protected circuits
- 4.5. Preventive maintenance: cleaning terminals, re-tightening, corrosion protection, checking fuses and periodic tests
Applied project in basic boat electrics
- 5.1. Definition of the case: motorboat, small sailing yacht, tender, catamaran, recreational boat, auxiliary electrical equipment or a specific circuit
- 5.2. Diagnosis of the existing electrical system: batteries, consumption, cabling, protections, charging, faults and observable risks
- 5.3. Design of the basic wiring diagram with distribution, fuses, isolators, cables, panels, lighting and main equipment
- 5.4. Preparation of the plan for installation, connection, labeling, testing, multimeter checks and functional verification
- 5.5. Development of the maintenance and safety plan: corrosion prevention, battery checks and better energy efficiency
Duration and format of the Basic Boat Electrics Course
It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Basic Boat Electrics Course
Career opportunities after the Basic Boat Electrics Course
Questions about the Basic Boat Electrics Course
Yes. It starts from the basic quantities of electricity and explains each component and technique step by step, so no previous training is required.
The low-voltage DC systems, typically 12 V or 24 V, of motorboats, small sailing yachts, tenders, catamarans and fishing boats, including batteries, charging, distribution, lighting and small consumers.
This is a short introductory course focused on small boats and everyday tasks. The professional diploma is a longer program that goes deeper into larger installations and more complex systems.
Yes. You will learn to measure voltage, continuity, resistance, polarity, current draw and voltage drop, and use those readings to track down common faults.
Yes. You will compare lead-acid, AGM, gel and lithium batteries, organize starter and house banks, and connect charging sources such as alternators, shore chargers and solar panels.
Online, with modules available at any time, practical exercises and tutor support, so you can study at your own pace.
Through exercises in each module and a final applied project in which you diagnose a small boat's electrical system and prepare its basic wiring diagram, installation plan and maintenance plan.
More programs in Machinery and electrics
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: no specific qualification is required; the course suits owners of recreational and fishing boats, boatyard and marina staff, marine mechanics and anyone starting out in boat electrics.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with internet access and webcam for the online classes; a basic digital multimeter is recommended for the practical exercises.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.