Got the boat but need info...

[Guest]

Hi

I've just bought a 18ft Dateline Bounty and require some info, I've heard people talk about Licences / Insurance...are these required or is somebody winding me up...???? where do I get a licence from "Dont say the DVLA"......where is the best place to get insurance....????

Do you kind gents think the boat will be safe to use on the coast....maybe cross the channel when calm.....????

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated....???

It's a daunting task being new to the sport/hobby........

Kindest Regards

John

 

[Guest]

You raise quite a lot of questions and the overall impression I get is that you need training. If you are absolutely new to the hobby, enroll on a day skipper course to teach you about basic handling, navigation and safety skills. On your specific questions

a) In the UK you do not need a licence but you do in most places on the continent. If you are going to use your boat on inland waterways, it requires to comply with the boat safety scheme - details from British Waterways Board.

b) The main point about insurance is the third party element to cover you for claims against you if you damage someone else's person/property. Such a claim could be very costly so get the strength of the insurance companies around you.

c) I am not sure about a Dateline Bounty - what sort of boat is it and what engine does it have. My recollection is that Dateline do basically river cruisers in which case it is not really suitable for a sea passage but could perhaps coast hop in settled conditions. Even if she is intended for sea use, a channel hop is big undertaking in an 18 footer but possible in settled conditions at the narrowest parts e.g. Dover-Calais. You would need a lot of safety equipment including VHF, flares, lifejackets for all on board, etc. + to be honest a lot more experience than you presently have. Bear in mind, on a longer passage, weather conditions can change quickly and the smaller the boat, the more dangerous this is.

I don't want to put you off - its a great hobby and not that difficult to learn about - look at the numbers of boats there are and that tells you that if they can do it so can I. In addition most people start at the size of boat you have and gradually work up to bigger things. Just bear in mind that you would not let someone who has never driven or had any instruction drive a car on the main road, particularly the M25 of which the Channel is the nautical equivalent.

Good luck


Nick

 

[hlb]

Re:As The Learned But Boatless Gentleman Said!!

Bloody thing said I was'nt eligable to post after writting a long winded account!! So I'll try again.

Nicks right yer dont need nowt on the sea. But if you have, it helps.

Dont make much of courses but then again they had'nt been invented when I started.

Get a chart and pilot book and one on buoys and rules of the sea and things.
Start in a little safe bay and take it slowly.
The sea isnt a washing up bowl. Theres rocks and other dangers and with a small boat you tend to be round them alot more than us so more problems.
After a little experience I dont think you will want to ask about crossing the channel!!
Have Fun

Haydn<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by hlb on Sun Aug 12 13:27:11 2001 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Guest]

Nick

Many thanks for the honest comments. The boat itself I am currently restoring and it will be some time before she gets launched. I have enroled on a course in HUll, basically powerboat level 1, 2, 3.

The boat has a Ford 3lt V6 inboard just been fully overhauled so that is one less worry. I do however have to kit it out with VHF, GPS, Flairs jackets oars etc

Like you say I'm new to the hobby and appear a bit eager.....like any man with a new toy I suppose although this type of hobby saftey and common sense is paramount......

I truly appreciate the honesty and any advice given.....

P.s. Do I not need a licence from the national rivers authority to say boat on the Trent river etc.....????

Do you know any decent insurance companies.....????

Best regards

John

 

[hlb]

Yes you will need a licence for the Trent. But I'm no authority
on that particular river but prob British water ways, but then you need silly safety regs. Look into them before proceeding.
Licence is just a piece of paper to get money from you. Theres no test on you just the boat.
Insurance. There all a bit crap. I think I use St.Margrets at the moment but theres plenty of others. Look in a boat mag.
Safety regs are a problem now on the rivers allthough maybe not so much for a small boat with no cooker ect.
Silly rules on petrol pipes and where the fuel filler is and trays under the engine. There not too bothered about you sinking but more about the envirolment if you do!!

Haydn

 

[Guest]

John

If you are going to use your boat on the Trent you will need a license from British Waterways, these are available from 1 week to 1 year but beware they will not issue any license without a boat safety certificate. Also if you intend to use any of the canals eg Stainforth and Keadby you will need to get a dual license which is of course more expensive.

You can obtain these from BW offices at Watford or Newark, also at any of the Trent locks.

You can navigate as far as Gainsborough without a license since this is where ABP hand over to BW, however there are no good moorings. This is also where the 6 knot speed limit comes into force.

I see that you are intending to take a Powerboat course out of Hull which is commendable, but don't forget you will also need to take a VHF operators course and exam.

As for insurance, most of the big names advertise in the boat mags, and I think most of them will be at the boat show.

Will you be based at Hull or will you trail?
This will have a big impact on your type of boating since blasting up and down the Humber would become boring after a while, and there are not that many places to go. Grimsby and Goole don't seem to have the same appeal as Cowes or Brixham.

Good luck

Neil

 

[Geoffs]

I was in your position about 3 years ago, having bought myself a 19ft Fletcher Sportcruiser with 3litre Mercruiser engine, and potter up and down the Hampshire & Dorset coast & Isle of Wight. I wouldn't want to take a small boat accross the channel. The elements are so unpreticable.

Hlb and Nick Robinson have given all the gen, not much more I can add. Except that I found the RYA Day Skipper course very valuable (although a colleague of mine thought I'd said Gay Skipper, so emphasise the DAY). I made sure I had all the safety gear, including GPS and VHF. You'll need another 1 day course to operate VHF, the so called 'Certificate of Limited Competance'. It lasts a life time. This is now 2 days if you buy one of the new DSC radios, which is all you can buy new in fixed radios these days. You also need a licence to cover the radio itself. £22 per year. For this you get a unique call sign, eg. MZHR2, and a newsletter from the Radio Communication Agency.

I'd spent 30 years on Inland Waterways before venturing out to sea. Wouldn't go back. I'd now like another 10ft and a couple of diesels, then maybe cross the channel.

Have fun.