About GLCCSchool

Welcome to GLCCSchool! Now well onto its second decade, the GLCCSchool offers a broad range of webinars that will appeal to all Great Lakes cruisers. Take a look at our Open Classes, Recording Library or Class Schedule see what is currently available.

Over the past decade, GLCCSchool has served thousands of students in the Great Lakes cruising community by providing a broad array of informative webinars addressing cruising-related topics and skills. Whether you're looking to learn more about the latest anchoring techniques and equipment, radar, boat maintenance, solar power, energy management, weather forecasting or are simply seeking experienced local knowledge on the hottest cruising areas in the Great Lakes, GLCCSchool has the webinar for you.

GLCCSchool is an offering of the Great Lakes Cruising Club, a non-profit organization of roughly 2500 US and Canadian members dedicated to encouraging recreational boaters to safely explore our five beautiful Great Lakes and connecting waterways. As a non-profit, the Great Lakes Cruising Club strives to provide affordable and informative cruising-related webinars to the greatest number of cruising boaters possible, with webinar registration fees used to help offset operating costs.

GLCCSchool webinars are conducted by experienced GLCC-accredited sail or power boating colleagues and industry specialists. Our webinars include instructors such as solar and high tech battery expert Tom Trimmer, rigging expert Joe Parker, radar expert Larry Brandt and diesel expert Jim Zima. On top of that our GLCCSchool instructors include cruisers who know the Great Lakes like the back of their hand.  People like long distance cruising expert and GLCC past Commodore Bill Rohde and experienced North Channel and Georgian Bay cruiser and GLCC Rear Commodore Dave Spencer.

GLCCSchool webinars are open to everyone, whether they are a Great Lakes Cruising Club member or not. Members of the US and Canadian Power Squadrons are eligible for a $5.00 discount. Webinars are absolutely free for memebers of the Great Lakes Crusing Club. For further information on discounts see the GLCC website's GLCCSchool Page, the USPS web site (www.usps.org), or the CPSS website (http://www.cps-ecp.ca) respectively.

All you need to participate in GLCCSchool webinars is a computer (Windows, Mac or Linux) with speakers or headphones, a browser, a reasonable speed internet connection and a desire to learn more about cruising our Great Lakes.

 

Questions? Just proceed to the Contact Us page and fill out the contact form there. One of our GLCCSchool Coordinators will get back to you.

 

We're on YouTube. Click here to see our YouTube video The GLCCSchool in Four Easy Steps.  It explains how to enroll in the GLCCSchool, how to register for webinars and how to obtain and use use your discount/free webinar coupons.

Upcoming classes

Great Lakes Weather 3: Weather Makers … Forecasting High & Low Pressure Systems
In the third installment of the series, you’ll explore the powerful role of high and low pressure systems in shaping Great Lakes weather. Learn to identify and interpret cold fronts, warm fronts, and occluded systems using surface charts and forecast tools. Take this class on its own or enjoy savings with the full four-part package.
Diesel 2: I've Got The Diesel Fuel Blues
Ever had that sinking feeling when your diesel starts to labor, sputter, and finally dies? In the second of his GLCC School diesel maintenance series Jim Zima, owner of Great Lakes Diesel in Vermilion, Ohio, will lead you through a thorough and detailed look at how to prevent diesel fuel issues and what to do when they occur. From his classes at the GLCC School to his classes at the Annapolis Cruisers University, Jim Zima shows us that he is not only a master mechanic but a great teacher. Join Jim for this outstanding webinar.
Cruising Lake Huron
Lake Huron is blessed with many wonderful and interesting ports and small towns up and down both the Canadian and Michigan shorelines. The Lake Huron webinar will cover the ports and anchorages surrounding the main lake including the Straits of Mackinac, the east Michigan shore and the west Ontario shore. Updated for 2026, join GLCC Rear Commodore Rob Hillman as he shares his extensive cruising experiences throughout the Lake.
Great Lakes Weather 4: Thunderstorm Primer / Creating Your Own Marine Forecast
The final class in the Marine Weather Essentials series prepares you to recognize and respond to thunderstorm threats. You’ll learn how to spot storm types, understand their development, and use online tools to create your own daily marine forecast. Register individually or save with the complete four-part series.
Diesel 3: I'm Cool But My Diesel Is Hot!
An overheated engine is never good, and it always seems to happen at the worst time. In the third of his GLCC School diesel maintenance series Jim Zima, owner of Great Lakes Diesel in Vermilion, Ohio, will lead you through a thorough and detailed look at how to prevent diesel cooling system issues and what to do when they occur. From his classes at the GLCC School to his classes at the Annapolis Cruisers University, Jim Zima shows us that he is not only a master mechanic but a great teacher. Join Jim for this outstanding webinar.