“Practical maritime knowledge and technical guidance from a Master Mariner and Marine Engineer”
Independent technical guidance for boat owners maintaining and repairing their own vessels, wherever you are.
Based on real-world marine engineering experience, offshore sailing, and hands-on fault-finding.
Get confident on the ocean
Remote Technical Boat Support
POBW’s Reliable Tech Support with Remote Service Solutions means help is just a text, phone call, or email away – anytime, anywhere.
We collaborate with you to create a comprehensive file for each system on your vessel. The comprehensive Boat Bible covers electrical, mechanical, rigging, and plumbing.
As a result, regardless of your location, when you need advice on how to proceed, or guidance on emergency repairs – we are ready to help. The Boat Bible also allows us to help you plan your maintenance and aids in the provisioning of spares for stress free off-shore passaging.
On-line Boat Maintenance Courses
Keeping your vessel in good order reduces maintenance costs, saves time and money and increases safety. A POBW boat maintenance course will help you increase both your skill and confidence on the water. This means facing fewer problems – and being confident to solve those that do come up – and now you can learn in your own time as the course is on-line.
Courses cover Marine Engineering, DC and AC Electrics, Rigging, Plumbing, Boat Building, Engine Maintenance and more. Classes are small so learning can be tailored to your unique situation. Over 90% of Coastguard callouts are due to preventable mechanical failure… Avoid having to make that call. Study at your own pace and, when you do have the need to refresh your skills, just log back into the course and click on the area you need to be reminded of. It’s that simple!
About POBW
About Ross Porter: Founder of Pearls of Boat Wisdom
Pearls of Boat Wisdom (POBW) began almost by accident. When Viki Moore, CEO of the Island Cruising Association, reached out to Ross for help supporting her members, it sparked a connection that Ross hadn’t fully anticipated. A successful webinar and a wave of positive feedback later, he realized he had found a way to share his lifelong obsession with the sea in a way that truly helped people—while fulfilling the remote-working dream shared by so many sailors.
A Career Built on Practical Knowledge
Ross’s path has been what he calls “meandering but consistent.” While his journey has taken him in many directions, every mile under his belt has involved the sea, helping people gain confidence, and keeping crews safe. With over 35 years of nautical and engineering experience, Ross is a Marine Engineer and the author of the Pearls of Boat Wisdom Maintenance Course.
His career started with a traditional, “old-school” apprenticeship, where he developed a “hands-on” mastery of everything from inboard and diesel mechanics to petrol outboards. This wasn’t learned in a classroom; it was forged while handling urgent yacht breakdowns in the Greek Islands—environments where practical, reliable problem-solving is the only thing that matters.
Technical Depth and Real-World Safety
While the superyacht world is often seen as glamorous, Ross knows the reality: it is a high-pressure environment that demands absolute reliability. By age 25, he was serving as Chief Engineer on a 300-ton 1938 Camper & Nicholson, a role that required a deep respect for maritime heritage and complex engineering.
His background is as diverse as it is deep:
- Aviation Precision: He completed an adult apprenticeship in Gas Turbines with Air New Zealand, bringing a high level of technical discipline back to his maritime work.
- Search and Rescue: Ross served as the Skipper of the Maraetai Inshore Lifeboat, contributing to critical safety efforts on the water.
- Professional Mentorship: As an RYA Ocean YachtMaster Instructor and delivery skipper, he spends his days passing on the hard-earned lessons of countless global miles.
A Trusted Partner for Your Journey
Pearls of Boat Wisdom is the natural progression of Ross’s desire to share what he has learned. He has “seen it all”—from the mechanical failures that can stall a dream trip to the simple maintenance habits that prevent them.
POBW isn’t about flashy claims; it’s a trustworthy, global service rooted in the belief that every sailor should have access to the “wisdom” needed to keep their vessel running and their family safe. When you work with Ross, you’re getting more than an instructor; you’re getting a veteran engineer who genuinely cares about getting you safely to your next landfall.