Vessel Orientation Program
Limited spots
Built Around Your Boat
Every System, Demystified
Confident From Day One
Owners Oriented
Real owners who went from guessing to genuinely understanding the boat they own.
"Dustin oriented me to the whole Vanguard 33 — systems, seacocks, the works. By the end of the day I felt like the captain, not a passenger."
ETHAN W. — PEARSON VANGUARD 33
"He walked the whole Passport 42 with me, system by system. Nothing aboard is a mystery anymore, and I know what to check first."
PAUL P. — PASSPORT 42
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"First boat and I was overwhelmed. After the orientation I can run the Bristol's systems, check the engine, and dock without panicking."
JOHN V. — BRISTOL 29.9
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250+
Owners Completed the Program
$50K+
Avg. Saved Over Ownership
Countless
Catastrophes Avoided
Owning the boat is only the beginning. Most owners close and still don't fully understand the engine, the electrical system, the plumbing, the seacocks, the batteries and charging, the rig — or what actually needs attention first.
That gap is where surprises become expensive, and where a small problem you never saw coming becomes a big one. Most new owners spend months confused, learning the hard way and second-guessing every sound the boat makes.
The Vessel Orientation Program compresses that learning curve into guided sessions — so you know what you own, and how to own it properly.
The Solution
A guided, hands-on walkthrough of your vessel — every system, every priority, start to finish.
01
Vessel Walkthrough
Identify the major areas, access points, equipment, and ownership concerns aboard your vessel — top to bottom, bow to stern.
02
Systems Overview
Review the core systems so you understand exactly what you have, how it works, and how it all ties together.
03
Safety & Risk Review
Locate safety equipment, through-hulls, pumps, and electrical concerns — and the obvious risk areas every owner needs to know cold.
04
Maintenance Priority List
Separate the urgent needs from the important improvements and the future upgrades — so your money goes to the right place first.
05
Operating Procedures
Get comfortable with practical use — startup and shutdown routines, charging, and confident onboard decision-making.
06
Ownership Plan
Leave with a clear path for maintaining, improving, and operating the vessel going forward — plus a written summary and action list.
What's Covered
Every system that matters — explained in plain language.
Engine & Mechanical
Engine orientation, startup and shutdown routines, and what to watch and listen for so problems never catch you off guard.
Electrical & Charging
How your electrical system, batteries, and charging actually work — and how to keep power flowing reliably underway and at the dock.
Plumbing & Through-Hulls
Seacocks, raw-water systems, bilge, and tanks — where they are, how they work, and how to shut them down when it counts.
Safety Equipment
Your safety gear, emergency shutoffs, and the risk areas every owner should know cold — before you ever need them.
Deck & Rig
Deck hardware, ground tackle, and rig awareness — what's up top and underfoot, and what to keep an eye on.
Maintenance & Ownership Plan
A prioritized maintenance list, open owner Q&A, and a post-session summary and action list you can actually use.
What's Included
More than a walkthrough — your boat comes out of it organized, documented, equipped, and easier to own.
- Unlimited guided vessel-orientation support
- Unlimited scheduled meetings throughout the program
- Guided onboard video walkthroughs
- Major onboard systems orientation
- Vessel-specific setup and ownership guidance
- Toolkit and spare-parts planning
- Safety-equipment review and organization
- Vessel inventory, spare-parts & maintenance-log templates
- Owner's binder organization
- Operating procedures and checklists
- Ongoing questions and consulting throughout
- Access to Shipshape Society as an ownership resource after the program
Bonus Included
A complete Vessel Supply & Equipment Reference List, built specifically for your boat — every tool, spare part, safety item, and ownership essential it should carry. You'll know exactly what you have, what's missing, and what to buy, instead of guessing your way through someone else's random pile of gear.
Dustin Allen is a marine surveyor, working technician, and multi-vessel owner with over a decade of hands-on marine experience. He served as Lead Technician at OCSC and Modern Sailing — two of the largest sailing operations on the Bay — and has rigged, repaired, and operated hundreds of vessels in every condition imaginable.
He has seen what trips new owners up, what gets neglected, and what turns into an expensive surprise. He built this program to hand owners the understanding it took him years on the water to earn.
He teaches you your boat the way he'd want his own explained — plainly, completely, and with nothing left a mystery.
Marine Surveyor
ABYC Member
Former Lead Tech — OCSC
Former Lead Tech — Modern Sailing
10+ Years Marine Technical Experience
Multi-Vessel Owner — Worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the orientation happen on my boat?
Yes — it's a hands-on, in-person walkthrough aboard your actual vessel, not a generic classroom session. Dustin orients you to your systems, your layout, your boat.
Do I need to already own the boat?
Yes, this program is built for owners — ideally scheduled soon after closing, though it's just as valuable for owners who've had their boat a while and still feel like a passenger rather than the captain.
How long does the Orientation Program take to complete?
It's self-paced with no time constraint — we work on your schedule. On average it takes about 3–6 months to complete, since it's a very in-depth program covering every major system aboard.
What if my boat has unusual or older systems?
That's exactly the kind of boat this program is for. Dustin has worked hundreds of vessels in every condition, and older or nonstandard systems get the same plain-language walkthrough as anything modern.
What do I walk away with?
A 100+ page document that explains every single step and process in depth, system by system — plus the knowledge and confidence to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot your own boat.
What if I want to go deeper into specific systems afterward?
The Shipshape Courses pick up where orientation leaves off — marine diesel, electrical, and vessel systems taught in the same plain-spoken way.
How do I communicate with my consultant during the program?
The program includes unlimited scheduled meetings with your consultant throughout. You can book time on their calendar as questions come up, systems need to be understood, maintenance decisions arise, or ownership projects need to be worked through.
Support is ongoing over the full program, not limited to one session. Boat projects often take three times longer than expected, and keeping your sanity through the process can be just as important as getting the job done. The program is built with a no-rush, no-worries mentality, so you have continuous knowledge, practical guidance, and steady support from Shipshape Society as you learn your vessel and build confidence as an owner. Most owners take about 3 to 6 months to go through the program, sometimes longer, depending on their availability.
Pricing
Simple, flat pricing based on the length of your vessel — every system aboard covered, start to finish.
Apply Now
Understand Your Boat — Before It Surprises You.
Apply for the Vessel Orientation Program and spend a session aboard with Dustin learning your vessel system by system — so you own it with confidence instead of guessing.
Limited spots
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The Vessel Orientation Program is educational and advisory. It is not a formal marine survey and does not certify a vessel's condition or seaworthiness. All operating and maintenance decisions remain the owner's responsibility.