Welcome to our GLCCSchool Recording Library

Having plenty of electric power on board while cruising can make the difference between a fantastic experience and a marginal one. Solar energy is an excellent source of electrical power for the cruising sailboat or power boat. However, figuring out the size of solar panels you need and matching them up with the various accessories required for a complete high-performance system can be a daunting task.

Looking for a serene inland cruising experience? ... Or a shortcut from the upper lakes to Lake Ontario? The Trent Severn may be for you!

If you are planning your first or twenty-first cruise to the North Channel, you are sure to appreciate this thorough look at Anchorages of the North Channel. This updated webinar will provide a detailed look at both the well-known and the little-visited anchorages of the North Channel has to offer. Join Dave Spencer as he shares his many years of experience in this wonderful part of our Great Lakes.

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 2025, join Admiral Bayfield Award winner Craig Murchison as he shares his extensive cruising experiences throughout the Lake.

Marine Weather Basics is the first class in the GLCC School’s four-part Marine Weather Essentials series tailored for Great Lakes boaters and offered for either individual or specially priced package registration.

Looking for a leisurely type of cruise with historic charms, amazing scenery, extensive use of canals, protection from bad weather and that can be completed in as little as a month? Then you might be interested in the Triangle Loop, a 700-mile loop from Kingston, Ontario down the St. Lawrence Seaway to the Richelieu Canal/Ottaway River through the Champlain Canal and back to the Hudson River at Troy. Join Gold Loopers and GLCC Admiral Bayfield Award winners Deb and Mike Hervey as they share tips and suggestions for this picturesque Loop.

Join us on a journey from Thessalon to Collins Inlet to experience the amazing North Channel geology.

This second class in the GLCC School’s four-part Marine Weather Essentials series explores the forces controlling the wind, and then examines how Doppler weather radar is an important resource in avoiding a hair-raising encounter with a thunderstorm.

Looking for boating adventure with historic charms and dramatic scenery? Then you might be interested in the Down East Circle Route, a 3,000 mile loop from Montreal through the St. Lawrence River, around Nova Scotia, then New England and return via the Erie Canal. Join Gold Loopers, GLCC Admiral Bayfield Award winner and GLCC School instructors Deb and Mike Hervey as they share tips and suggestions for this Down East trip.

Jim Zima, owner of Great Lakes Diesel in Vermilion, Ohio, believes that by instructing boat owners in basic maintenance, they learn to do daily engine checks and become confident in their ability to perform their own preventative maintenance services. Knowledge in these areas will keep your boat in good running order and will likely avoid costly repairs.

The third session in GLCC School’s four-part Marine Weather Essentials series delves into large-scale surface weather patterns.

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.

Learn what anchoring strategies are best to minimize each other’s stress, to maximize restful sleeps on the hook and to stay safe throughout the anchoring process. Discussions will include; choosing the right anchorage, selection and safe use of ground tackle and related equipment, and in particular, crew communication while anchoring. Those new to anchoring will pick up a good foundation of knowledge and those experienced at anchoring are sure to learn a few new things to make anchoring easier and safer through the illustrative slides.

This final class in GLCC’s four-part Marine Weather Essentials series covers thunderstorms and offers a strategy for preparing your own daily marine forecast.

Thunderstorms can quickly spoil an outing in many ways—strong winds, large waves, dangerous lightning, waterspouts, or visibility-limiting rain. This in-depth two-session webinar will examine the various types of thunderstorms and the ingredients that lead to their formation.

Making the leap to that first longer-distance overnight passage can be intimidating. It shouldn’t be. From this webinar you'll gain the confidence to undertake longer passages including overnights, sharply expanding your cruising horizons. Plus, you'll find that longer passages definitely add a special dimension to the cruising experience.

Whether in the Great Lakes or the Atlantic Ocean, everyone on board must be able to use the VHF radio in an emergency. Is your crew prepared? Many people are intimidated by this simple device because they have never had a gentle introduction with clear examples and straightforward procedures. Join Christian Sandvig, University of Michigan professor and member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, to learn how to demystify this vital piece of marine safety equipment.

Thunderstorms can quickly spoil an outing in many ways—strong winds, large waves, dangerous lightning, waterspouts, or visibility-limiting rain. This in-depth two-session webinar will examine the various types of thunderstorms and the ingredients that lead to their formation.

Cruising Canada's North Channel puts you in one of the top ten cruising destinations in the world. Join Roy Eaton as he shares his local knowledge of and experiences in this wonderful part of our Great Lakes.

The equipment you need to communicate on the water varies depending on where and how you will use your boat. Furthermore, the technologies for communicating are changing all the time. Do you possess the appropriate communication equipment? Is your current equipment outdated and potentially unsafe? Does your equipment match your cruising plans? Join Christian Sandvig, University of Michigan professor and member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, for a thorough look at modern marine communications equipment.