Engine Courses

[sailbadthesinner]

On the basis that i will no doubt soon succumb to a boat of some sort with an inboard. Are there any courses i can go on to learn basic understanding of engines and how to say, change filters bleed engine etc.?
and also learn WHY you have to change filters bleed engines
I have v little knowledge of engines ( i recently blew my car engine)
It has to be weekeknds as work is all over england and often late.
Thanks in anticipation

Rather be with a drink in boat
than in the drink with a boat

 

[Skyva_2]

Most sailing schools run the one day RYA Diesel maintenance course, covers all the basic maintenance and routine checks, theory and hands on practice. Indispensable IMHO.
The RYA site can direct you to schools in your area.
Keith

 

[sailbadthesinner]

tried that couldn't find anything
(could be my PC skills ....or lack of)
Found all sorts of standard courses but not a diesel one

Rather be with a drink in boat
than in the drink with a boat

 

[Skyva_2]

On the RYA site go to Recognised Teaching Establishments.
There is a search facility based on Region or Postcode.
You may get a long list - try schools than clubs. Each school lists its courses.

If you still have problems tell me your region and I'll have a look or try to give you a recommendation.

Also try NFSS - National Federation of Sea Schools.
Keith

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Have found one
after much clicking and swearing
thanks for the help

Rather be with a drink in boat
than in the drink with a boat

 

[rogerroger]

RYA Engine Courses - don\'t bother

I did the RYA diesel course a few years back - biggest waste of time and money ever.

I guess it depends on who you do it with - I did it with a school on the Hamble.

Supposed to be a whole day - we eventually started about 10 am and were out by noon.

There's a two day course for not much more (£75 I think) run at Reading Uni. A friend who did the RYA course with me said it was infinitey better and really recommended it. Again, details are on the web - I might have the URL somewhere if you have no luck.

A mate was with me when I had some engine troubles recently - by the time he'd helped me "fix" it he'd learnt more than I had on the RYA one !

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Re: RYA Engine Courses - don\'t bother

The Reading Uni one, if I have the right one, is mildly biased towards inland boaters but is still excellent.

Course notes are on:

http://www.reading-college.ac.uk/marine/

and make for excellent reading.



Two beers please, my friend is paying.

 

[dickh]

The other way to get experience is to do all the servicing youself, you will then find out how easy it is to change a filter at sea, bleed the system, change the water pump impellor etc, etc. Find a friend or friendly mechanic to show you and you will be fine. Also find out about the dreaded diesel bug - see all the posts on this subject on all the forums(type in 'soltron' and you'll get lots of leads)
good luck

dickh
I'd rather be sailing...

 

[rogerroger]

Re: RYA Engine Courses - don\'t bother

I heard it is indeed biased towards inland boaters - but the engines are more or less the same and my friend said if she had any specific questions regarding yachts etc they were addressed.

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Re: RYA Engine Courses - don\'t bother

Cheers
Have checked it out and it seems a really good start. I just have to be careful who i bump into in reading, ex loves and all that, not pretty ( the relationship not the love)



Rather be with a drink in boat
than in the drink with a boat