Advice needed all of it

[pbp]

Hi all don't know if I'm in the right section or not but couldn't seem to find a more suitable section. Well here goes, I was last on a boat 30+ years ago. Recently I've been feeling like I need to be on the water tho. From my limited research I've done so far the answers I've found have been clear as mud. I understand I will need to get a licence before I set off on any adventures, where would be a good place to get classes/instruction. I'm not thinking of super yatch size boats but would like to explore the UK coast from the wetter side. It's been playing on my mind for a couple of years now and have decided if I don't get started I'll never do it. So please any advice or pointers would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks in advance
Pbp

 

[Seastoke]

First you don’t need a licence, but good to do a coarse . So first do you want power or sail , then where you live peeps will recommend best training establishment. @nd welcome. It sounds like you want a motor boat with your name. Proper Boat Please.

 

[pbp]

Yes was going to go down the powered route, something like one of those small Shetland jobbies for a start. I'm currently based in the w.mids but I don't fancy being stuck to just the canals. Will probably start off with a scabby old one and spend some time putting it right I'm used to turning my hands to new projects and fortunately I'm a good swimmer. Oh and pbp is for powered by pies.

 

[Seastoke]

Yes was going to go down the powered route, something like one of those small Shetland jobbies for a start. I'm currently based in the w.mids but I don't fancy being stuck to just the canals. Will probably start off with a scabby old one and spend some time putting it right I'm used to turning my hands to new projects and fortunately I'm a good swimmer. Oh and pbp is for powered by pies.

Our second boat was a Shetland family four , remember you need at least a 60hp engine for sea .

 

[pbp]

I had guessed I'd need more than a sub 10hp motor to fight against tides and such. Been looking around online and there seem to be a few "project" boats around my local area. Obviously I wouldnt rush out and buy the first one I find. Any pointers as to know weak spots with that type? Have helped my uncle quite a bit doing car bodyworks so not a newbie to using fiberglass so I'm covered on that front. Im guessing there will be wood supports buried within the hull so keep an eye for spongey feeling sections where it's started to delaminate and possible rot has set in?

 

[ylop]

Be careful under bridges.

 

[pbp]

Be careful under bridges.

I wish I could afford a boat big enough to block a bridge.

 

[Boathook]

I wish I could afford a boat big enough to block a bridge.

Just find a small bridge !

 

[Alicatt]

I wish I could afford a boat big enough to block a bridge.

We could give you a loan of the Nyrstar Bridge, 30cm between the water and the bottom of the bridge...

Waiting for it to open..

 

[Seastoke]

You need one on a trailer

 

[pbp]

You need one on a trailer

If still have to go through sideways with the boats I've been looking at

 

[PlanB]

As sai previously, you don't need a licence.
Some people will say do a course (eg Day Skipper) before you get your boat.
We did it the other way round, bought the boat and then straight away had a week's own boat tuition and got Day Skipper Practical.
That gave us the confidence to do a lot of local water practising on our own.

 

[pbp]

As sai previously, you don't need a licence.
Some people will say do a course (eg Day Skipper) before you get your boat.
We did it the other way round, bought the boat and then straight away had a week's own boat tuition and got Day Skipper Practical.
That gave us the confidence to do a lot of local water practising on our own.

That's probably the way I'll do it as I'm thinking of getting an equivalent of an old banger and doing it up. Would at least then know more of the ins and outs of my leaky bucket before I set off.

 

[snowbird30ds]

You'll often find a project boat will end up costing more than a ready to go boat, many wind up costing a fortune and being abandoned in boat yards.

 

[pbp]

You'll often find a project boat will end up costing more than a ready to go boat, many wind up costing a fortune and being abandoned in boat yards.

Will keep that in mind, won't go for anything to scabby.

 

[DavidJ]

If you like the Shetland have a look at a Sealine 190 or 195 a more modern looking boat at probably the same sort of price
Very towable

 

[DavidJ]

Supporting @snowbird30ds view. Really worth buying in the best condition you can get. You will still have plenty of work/expense because that’s boats for you.