Hello pls help!

[Steveu]

Re: No1.Paddles and a anchor of some sort.

Yes, get a VHF and leave it switched on all the time on ch16 so you can learn who else is around, what they are doing, what channel the coastguard is on etc it will also teach you generally how people talk on the VHF so when you need to you'll know what channels to use and what to say.
As for navigating, get paper charts in a plastic wallet, spend some time poring over them to decide where you fancy going. Now mark in some waypoints (I use those little sticky paper dots you get from stationers & write letters on them. Then get a simple cheap GPS and programme in your waypoints, storing them under the same name as on your dots. Now when you're at sea you won't know exactly where you are but you will know the dist & course to several local waypoints so you can get your chart out and work out roughly where you are. When you do, look around you and try to identify all the landmarks you should be able to see from the chart. You'll be amazed at how deceptive things can look from the sea, especially off the West Coast with all its islands and inlets.

 

[Sneds]

Re: No1.Paddles and a anchor of some sort.

The one day radio operators course is simple and informative.
I had to put out a distress call a few days after completeing mine and was glad I did it!
Mind you just hollering on ch 16 will get attention but its good to be able to do it properly as you will give out the information that is relevant.

Enjoy the boat, I don't think there is any snobbery re size and price, just people enjoying the same thing and you will find people quite happy to help and advise.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Re: No1.Paddles and a anchor of some sort.

Good boat to start with, my son has just bought a Fletcher and will be launching it tomorrow.

Suggest that to start with you stick close to base and shore until you are confident that the engine is up to scratch. Also take a look at where you plan to launch and cruise at low water just to see what is there, it will look very different to when the tide's in! Agree with oldgit, get a cheap fishfinder and don't bother with a chartplotter at this stage, unless you're feeling flush, but you'll hardly be able to read it on a sportsboat anyway...............

Pick a nice calm sunny day to go out and you'll be hooked! Have fun.

 

[adie]

Re: No1.Paddles and a anchor of some sort.

Thanks folks, watching the weather like a hawk, Tues looks good at my end fingers crossed X