coastal skipper practical tips please

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why isn't the exam at the end of hte course, then?????

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I thought it was!

You are talking about examiner and exam, but then saying you aren't doing the exam.

You've lost me /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

EDIT: no, just checked here, assessment for a week then Coastal Skipper certificate, then a separate exam for Coastal Skipper. So, no exam, so you shouldn't have a problem really.
 
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thanks, everyone.
It's the coastal skipper completion course, not the exam. I'm doing it over 2 weekends, 3 days then 2. This is obviously an easier prospect than the exam. (I think the system is a little confusing). Is there any point doing the exam after the course??? I know it's all voluntary but I would like to go through the whole system but without doing things twice.
Some very good advice, especially the torches and charts.

I expect my examiner reads this forum too so he probably now sees me coming!

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Not sure which school you have booked with but the RYA state that the Coastalskipper Course (Completition) should be run as five days non stop, while they allow the Dayskipper and Competent Crew to spread it over 2 weekends, the coastalskipper must be 5 consecutive days, the reason they make this rule is to allow for longer coastal passages and avoid repeating the same harbour entries/ departures. The RYA are looking for you to receive a quality course.

It sounds to me that the school you have booked with have either sold you the wrong product or have re arranged things to fit in with your work pattern when they should have held their ground and stuck to the guidelines given by the RYA.

Any Yachtmaster Instructor or RYA principal shopuld be aware of this rule.

I reccomend you take up this point with the school, give me a call if you would like me to verify any of theses details.

Best Regards
 
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If i want to charter a yacht i'm likely ot say i've done my coastal skipper after the course, even if i never take the exam, and i doubt they'll be concerned, will they?

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Depends on the charter company.... not much use finding out when you are standing on the quay in Greece, (or wherever).

In my case I am considering chartering my own boat to paying guests, and I will need the qualifications and it would have been handy if I had done them years ago.

So all I am saying is that if you do the course, it seems sensible to do the exam.

My real point was that we dont know what life will bring many years on, and if the exam certificate is fairly easy to obtain at a particular time, it's worth doing.

We can agree to disagree <g>
 
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If i want to charter a yacht i'm likely ot say i've done my coastal skipper after the course, even if i never take the exam, and i doubt they'll be concerned, will they?

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Yes, last time I was asked for my Certificate of Competence and they noted the number and date of issue on their form. A course completion certificate is worthless
 
oh.
Firstly, i called him an examiner and said there wasn't an exam because i didn't know there wasn't an exam until a few posts back... He probably is an examiner, though.
Secondly, oh, again. Erm, er, well... I don't know what to say about that split week thing. I saw it advised by one school that i didn't choose and proposed it as the structure to the school i did chose to go with.
N.B. I'm only doing this for pleasure... and to learn but i think the education is all up to me - I'll learn even more if they don't know what they're doing, so i think i'll just go with an open mind.
 
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Is there any point doing the exam after the course??? I know it's all voluntary but I would like to go through the whole system but without doing things twice.

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Having asked the question, I merely gave an opinion with a couple of reasons.

I could also say that the course is just that.... it is only by putting the skills learned into practice many many times that they will become second nature.

Doing the exam will give you a quick chance to do this under the supervision of someone with experience.

My perception of RYA instructors and examiners is that they want you to pass and, if they see you doing something not quite right, they will tell you and give some guidance rather than fail you on the spot.... so the learning experience continues. Obviously if you get lots of things wrong during the exam, they might fail you.
 
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Doing the exam will give you a quick chance to do this under the supervision of someone with experience.


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Richard

I think you have slightly missed the point of the exam, its not an oppurtunity to do things under supervision- that is what a course is for. The exam is your oppurtunity to show someone that you can do it unsupervised. The examiner is not there to look after you if you get it wrong.

Jez

Best of luck with your course, I hope you enjoy
 
I didn't have any problems chartering from Sunsail, Moorings and various others before I got the bits of paper.

I think they were happier with someone experienced on their own boats than with somebody who got qualified then charters a couple of times a year. That outlook might be a little out of date now.
 
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Doing the exam will give you a quick chance to do this under the supervision of someone with experience.


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Richard

I think you have slightly missed the point of the exam, its not an oppurtunity to do things under supervision- that is what a course is for. The exam is your oppurtunity to show someone that you can do it unsupervised. The examiner is not there to look after you if you get it wrong.



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I agree with you, but I think you have missed the point of my point <g>

Firstly, I cant believe an examiner would watch you make a bit of a cock up, ( but not a fail), and say nothing.... even if he waits till the end of the exam to say his piece.

e.g. "You've passed, but here are a few areas where you could improve" or "You've failed, and here's why"

Nor can I believe that he would watch you career towards extreme danger without stepping in.

So there is an element of supervision, even though that is not the aim of the exercise.

The alternative is to do the course, assume you know it, and potentially make some cock ups which you may not know how to rectify... or not even know you are making a cock up.

I was just trying to suggest that there are some good reasons to do the exam.
 
I think we're getting into semantics. This is a chance to learn some new skills with an instructor, and maybe try to put htat to the test in an exam one day.
I have chartered from sunsail who accepted me last time to hire a yacht becuase i had been with them before. They didn't seem to remember that the before was a shore-based dinghy week!
Anyway, lucky for me I'm going sailing all day saturday / sunday and monday whatever hoops i do or don't have to jump through - hurray!
 
Maybe I'm being really thick here

If you hold no store by the qualification so won't take the exam 'just yet', why bother with the training until ready? You've said that you can charter a boat already so no real motive

Or is it that you're secretly afraid that you'll not be up to the mark, in which case maybe the training will be wasted?

And why be content to fool people with false qualifications?

Too puzzling for my simple brain
 
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And why be content to fool people with false qualifications?

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This does seem to be showing through.... I hope that he is in the minority, or it could make them worthless for anyone who has put the time and effort into them.
 
my boat came out of the water this week so nothing to do on my day off sailing wise and secretly i do care about gettiing those damn qualifications so i can be looked up to by teenagers one day. doesn't any sloppy thinking get past the forum?
 
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secretly i do care about gettiing those damn qualifications

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Good on you. Doubt you'll be any more nervous than I was, and I've sailed all my life

For some people, exams of any sort are frightening and to be avoided. One of my best friends suffers from this and has done numerous courses without ever completing the final exam. He's probably the brightest but least qualified friend I know!

Anyway, enjoy the course and may you graduate to the qualification and so walk tall
 
and besides, gentlemen, this a hobby. I'm not planning to put myself up for anything i am not responsibe to do. I resent the suggestion that i'm doing something wrong. I did a day skipper course 10 years ago and thought it would be fun to follow it up with the coastal skipper. I didn't know you had to do a course then an examination. Now i do. I'll try not to offend anyone with my sloppy attitude to pieces of paper.
 
Jez

I highly recommend to you that you should do things in your time, and when you want too.

Your fellow forumites on here are only expressing their views on how they see the value of when you take courses, and if they are worth it. We all have different views on the subject.

I personally believe in spending as much time on the water as possible. You are the only bod who knows if you are ready to take an exam or not. These courses ARE informative and 9/10 times bloody good fun. We are all learning whilst out on the water, yes all of us.

I spent a good few years in the Royal Navy, across oceans and sea's, but when I got aboard my own yacht, I was out of my depth. As a seaman Officer I could take a war ship anywhere in the world, but sail a yacht, didn't have a Scooby!!!!!!!!

I enjoyed the courses, and the exam's, I feel safer, not superior. I now get a hell of a buzz helping others to understand the effects that tide and wind and crew moral and ....and....and......the list goes on and on.


You will find that the lucky forumites on here have an understanding of the sea. A gift some may say, an art others will say, but the basics can be taught, the only way to get better is by doing it.

Think back, When you were learning to drive, that first time without an instructor sitting with you, your scared, but your loving it. Study now, and it will become second nature.

Every time I set to leave harbour I go through the same check list, 'W.E.T.P'. I was taught this saying only three years ago.

Wind:
How is it going to affect my vessel?

Engine:
How is the prop walk going to affect me?

Tide:
Hows it going to affect me?

Protection:
Where are my pinch points going to be:

Every time Jez, And I have been doing this for Thirty years.

There are some fantastic pointers on here from the forum, they are all helpful, take onboard all of it, you never know when a small bit of information will come in handy.

Anyway, Best of luck, and most of all enjoy it!!!!

PM me if you wish when it's all over! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Al
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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